Katherine Mathilda Swinton (born 5 November 1960) is an English actress well known for both arthouse and mainstream movies, which include The Chronicles of Narnia. Swinton was born in London to John Swinton (born 1925) and Australian Judith (née Killen).
She graduated from New Hall in 1983. While at college, she joined the Communist Party.
Swinton worked with the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She worked with director Derek Jarman for most of her early movies.