Keira Knightley has revealed her bewilderment concerning her Oscar nomination in 2006.
At the age of 20, the acclaimed Hollywood actress received her inaugural Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice, reportedly making her the third youngest nominee in that category.
During a candid conversation with Vanity Fair, she openly discussed her sentiments about being recognized with an Oscar nomination in 2006.
Referring to her 2005 historical romance film, Knightley commenced, “Indeed, it was a significant milestone for my career. If individuals approach me, it will invariably be about that particular film.”
Recalling the critical reception she received for her performance in the 2006 film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, she noted, “While Pirates of the Caribbean had already been released, I believe within public perception, I was regarded as a subpar actress.”
“However, I experienced monumental success with Pirates. And I believe Pride & Prejudice was the first instance of a phenomenally successful film that also garnered critical acclaim.”
Keira further elaborated before concluding the discussion, “So I recall it being released perhaps in the same year, or around the same time as Pirates 2. And I received the most scathing reviews ever for that, yet concurrently, I was nominated for an Oscar—it was, to my 21-year-old self, rather perplexing.”
Pride & Prejudice was re-released in cinemas on April 20, 2025, as part of its 20th-anniversary commemoration.
