Aisling Loftus is one of those actors who just fits. You’ve seen her. Whether she was wearing a corset in a sprawling BBC period piece or looking terrified in a modern sci-fi thriller, she has this grounded, almost ethereal quality that anchors every scene. Honestly, it’s a bit of a crime she isn’t a household name yet, even though she’s been working steadily since she was a kid in Nottingham.
She didn't just stumble into this. Loftus started at the legendary Television Workshop—the same place that churned out stars like Samantha Morton and Jack O'Connell. It shows. There is a specific kind of "Workshop" grit to her early work, a lack of pretension that makes her incredibly watchable. If you are looking to catch up on the best aisling loftus movies and tv shows, you have to look past the big-budget hits to find the real gems.
The Big Breaks: From Mr Selfridge to War & Peace
Most people first clocked her as Agnes Towler in Mr Selfridge. She played the shop girl with a backbone of steel, and for three seasons, she was arguably the heart of the show. It was a massive hit. But then she did something interesting—she left. Usually, when an actor lands a lead in a globally syndicated drama, they ride that wave until the wheels fall off. Loftus chose to move on, seeking out roles that felt a bit more jagged.
Then came the 2016 BBC adaptation of War & Peace. Playing Sonya Rostova, she had the impossible task of being the "plain" cousin next to Lily James’s Natasha. It was a masterclass in quiet heartbreak. Seriously, the way she conveyed years of unrequited longing with just a look was devastating.
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But if you want to see her really flex her muscles, you need to check out A Discovery of Witches. She didn't just play one character; she played two. First, we met her as Sophie Wilson, a daemon with a secret. Later, through some time-traveling shenanigans, she appeared as Susanna Norman, an ancestral witch. Managing two distinct personalities within the same universe is a tightrope walk, but she made it look effortless.
The Roles That Defined Her Career
It isn't all about the big TV dramas, though. Her film work is where things get really gritty.
- Death of a Superhero (2011): This is a small, heavy, and beautiful film. She plays Shelly, the love interest to a dying teen who processes his mortality through comic book drawings. She won a Special Jury Prize at the Dublin International Film Festival for this one, and it’s easy to see why.
- Property of the State (2016): Based on a true story, she played Anne Marie O'Donnell. It’s a harrowing look at a woman dealing with her brother’s mental descent and eventual crimes. It earned her an IFTA nomination for Best Actress. It’s not an "easy" watch, but it’s her best performance to date.
- The Midwich Cuckoos (2022): In this Sky Max reimagining of the classic sci-fi tale, she plays Zoë Moran. It’s creepy, tense, and focuses heavily on the maternal horror of the situation.
Her recent work has kept that momentum going. In 2024, she joined the cast of Sherwood for its second season, playing Sandy Waters. If you haven't seen Sherwood, it’s one of the best British crime dramas in years—less about "who dunnit" and more about how a community bleeds after a tragedy.
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Beyond the Screen: The Stage and Recent Projects
Loftus is a theater vet, too. If you’re a fan, you might have caught her in the National Theatre Live recording of Small Island where she played Queenie. It’s a powerhouse performance. More recently, in 2025, she’s been back on the boards in Till the Stars Come Down at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and Girls and Boys at the Nottingham Playhouse.
She’s 35 now. She’s at that point where the "rising star" label has long since dropped off, replaced by the reputation of a reliable, high-caliber artist. She doesn't do the celebrity circuit much. She doesn't seem to care about being "famous" in the Instagram sense. She just works.
Why Aisling Loftus Matters Right Now
In an era of "nepotism babies" and actors who feel like they were grown in a lab to fit a specific aesthetic, Loftus feels real. There is a vulnerability in her eyes that you can't fake. Whether she's playing a witch, a shop assistant, or a grieving sister, there is a consistent thread of humanity.
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Basically, if her name is on the credits, the project is probably worth your time. She has a knack for picking scripts that have something to say about class, family, or the weirdness of being alive.
Where to Start Watching:
- If you want romance: Mr Selfridge (Series 1–3). It’s cozy, dramatic, and her chemistry with the cast is top-tier.
- If you want something dark: Property of the State. Just be prepared for a bit of an emotional hangover afterward.
- If you want high-concept fantasy: A Discovery of Witches. It’s polished, magical, and gives her a lot of room to play.
- If you want a modern masterpiece: Sherwood (Season 2).
If you're diving into the world of aisling loftus movies and tv shows, start with her earlier, smaller films like Death of a Superhero to truly appreciate the range she brings to her later, more mainstream roles. Keep an eye on the 2026 release calendars, as she continues to gravitate toward challenging, character-driven British dramas that prioritize story over spectacle.