Anna Popplewell
The actress who brought the pragmatic, bow-wielding Susan Pevensie to life in the blockbuster 'Narnia' films, navigating childhood fame with grace.
Born 1988 (age 38)·English actress·Birthday: December 16·Millennials
Biography
Anna Popplewell stepped into a world of talking lions and magical wardrobes as a teenager, landing the role of Susan Pevensie in Disney's adaptation of 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. As the second-eldest sibling, she portrayed Susan's journey from sensible doubter to courageous queen with a grounded maturity that anchored the fantasy. The film's colossal success launched her into global recognition, a experience she managed while continuing her academic studies. She reprised the role in two sequels, growing up on screen alongside her castmates. Rather than chase Hollywood fame, Popplewell deliberately diversified her path, taking on period drama in the BBC's 'Mansfield Park', genre television in 'Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn', and a leading role in the Freeform series 'The Royals'. A graduate of Oxford University with a degree in English, she has balanced her acting career with a notably private personal life, embodying the thoughtful, unflappable quality she first showed as the voice of reason in Narnia.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anna was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anna Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Anna's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played Susan Pevensie in the three 'Chronicles of Narnia' films, which collectively earned over $1.5 billion worldwide.
- Graduated from Magdalen College, Oxford with a degree in English Literature while maintaining her acting career.
- Starred as Princess Eleanor in the television drama series 'The Royals' for four seasons.
- Portrayed the lead role of Fanny Price in a 2007 television adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Mansfield Park'.
Did You Know?
Her younger sister, Lulu Popplewell, is also an actress and provided the voice for the character 'Fifi' in the 'Harry Potter' films.
She is a trained cellist.
Popplewell was a member of the National Youth Theatre in the UK before her film breakthrough.
She turned down a place at Cambridge University to attend Oxford.
“I was a queen in Narnia, but I grew up and had to leave that world behind.”
