Heida Reed
Icelandic actress Heida Reed carved a name for herself in British drama, most famously as the complex Elizabeth Warleggan in the hit series 'Poldark'.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Icelandic actress and model·Birthday: May 22·Millennials
Biography
Heiða Rún Sigurðardóttir left her native Reykjavik for London with a clear ambition: to act. Adopting the stage name Heida Reed, she began building a career marked by poised and often formidable characters. Her breakthrough came not in a sweeping Nordic noir, but in the sun-drenched, windswept world of BBC's 'Poldark'. As Elizabeth Warleggan, she masterfully portrayed a woman trapped by 18th-century social conventions and her own choices, transforming a character who could have been a simple antagonist into a tragically nuanced figure. This role made her a familiar face in the UK and beyond. Reed has consistently chosen varied projects, from French cinema in 'Jo' to British crime procedurals like 'Silent Witness', before landing a leading role in the American series 'FBI: International', demonstrating her versatility across genres and accents.
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.
Heida 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 Heida Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Heida'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
- Gained international recognition for her role as Elizabeth Warleggan in the BBC drama series 'Poldark' (2015-2019).
- Starred as Special Agent Jamie Kellett in the CBS drama 'FBI: International' (2021-2024).
- Played a lead role in the French-British television crime series 'Jo' opposite Jean Reno.
Did You Know?
She is a former model and was crowned Miss Iceland Universe 2004, but did not compete in the international pageant.
She trained at the Drama Centre London, a prestigious acting conservatoire.
Her first name, Heiða, means 'bright' or 'clear' in Icelandic.
She is fluent in Icelandic and English.
“Leaving Iceland was the first role I ever played, and the most important.”
