Francesca Annis (born 14 May 1945) is an English actress. She is known for films such as Dune (1984) and television series such as Reckless (1998), Wives and Daughters (1999), Cranford (2007), and Deceit (2000).

Biography

Annis was in a relationship with photographer Patrick Wiseman that began in 1974, and the partners had and raised three children, Charlotte, Taran, and Andreas, all of whom were given their father's surname. Annis began a relationship with Hamlet co-star Ralph Fiennes in 1995, ending her 23-year relationship with her partner Wiseman in 1997, with Fiennes in turn divorcing his wife of four years, Alex Kingston. Annis is said to have "apologised to Wiseman" over their parting. Annis and Fiennes announced their separation on 7 February 2006, after 11 years together, in a parting described as "acrimonious" following his affair with a Romanian singer.

In an interview with Tim Auld of The Telegraph in 2009, Annis described herself as being one that tends "to forget the bad things – I don't dwell on them. I think, 'Oh, f– it, life's too short,'" and that though single, she "believes it is better to be with someone than alone," stating "'I think you live a fuller life… to have someone else's input on anything – a book, a meal, your children, life, a walk – is fantastic,'" and expressing optimism as she looked to the rest of her sixth decade, stating "'I like to have a big open canvas. I am a glass-half-full person. Something will turn up, you know, and whatever it is it'll be fine.'"

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