The Profile

For your consideration: Andrea Riseborough, the Oscar nomination and the backlash

The British actress has found herself at the centre of a controversy over how she secured a shock spot on the shortlist for best actress at this year’s Academy Awards

Andrea Riseborough: nominated for a best actress award in the Oscars for a movie that has taken less than $30,000 at the US box office. Illustration: Peter Hanan

Factfile

Age: 41

Appearance: Infinitely variable, renowned for her chameleon-like ability to dramatically alter her appearance, accent and demeanour for roles

Newsworthiness: The British actor and producer has found herself at the centre of a controversy over her nomination for best actress at this year’s Oscars

When the nominations for this year’s Academy Awards were announced at 5.30am on January 24, one name elicited an audible gasp from the bleary-eyed audience at the Samuel Goldwyn ...