A Scottish actress, Kelly Macdonald got her big break in Hollywood through a leaflet advertising in a casting session for the film Trainspotting (1996), subsequently bagging the part of Diane in the film. She then went on to feature in supporting roles in films like Gosford Park (2001), Intermission (2003), Nanny McPhee (2005), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011), and provided the voice of Merida in the Pixar animated film, Brave (2012).

Her role in the winning film No Country For Old Men in 2007, earned her a nomination in the prestigious BAFTA. In 2010, the actress was cast in the HBO drama Boardwalk Empire, and appeared in the television series until 2014. She also featured as a lead in one episode of Black Mirror in 2016, and received critical acclaim. Kelly is reviving her role in Trainspotting in Danny Boyle's T2 Trainspotting. Her 2018 projects include Puzzle and Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck it Ralph 2.