Rose Leslie — Scottish Actress, Career & Net Worth 2026

Who played Ygritte in Game of Thrones? Scottish actress Rose Leslie played Ygritte, the Wildling warrior, across seasons 2-4 of HBO's Game of Thrones, opposite Kit Harington as Jon Snow.

Rose Leslie carries a level of recognition only a few television actors achieve. Her role as Ygritte in Game of Thrones introduced her to a global audience, turning a supporting character into one of the series’ most memorable figures. Before that, she had already made an impression in Downton Abbey, placing her within two of the most internationally successful British dramas of the last decade.

Trained at LAMDA and raised in Scotland, Leslie has moved steadily between British and American productions while maintaining a measured public profile. 

Today, we will look into her career that shaped her reputation, her notable screen work, her marriage to Kit Harington, and the factual details behind her personal and professional standing today.

Who is Rose Leslie?

Rose Leslie was born Rose Eleanor Arbuthnot-Leslie on 9 February 1987 in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was raised in Aberdeenshire, spending part of her childhood at Lickleyhead Castle, her family’s ancestral home. Her father, Sebastian Arbuthnot-Leslie, is the Chieftain of the Aberdeenshire branch of Clan Leslie, and her mother, Candida Mary Sibyl Weld, comes from Clan Fraser of Lovat.

Leslie’s early education included time in France, where she became fluent in French. After returning to the UK, she attended Millfield School before training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), graduating with a BA (Hons) in 2008 and earning certification in stage combat.

Her first major screen role came in the 2009 television film New Town, which earned her the Scottish BAFTA for Best Acting Performance – New Talent. Within two years, she had secured roles in two of the most influential British and American television dramas of the decade.

Rose Leslie Photos Collection

Who is Rose Leslie’s Husband?

Leslie is married to Kit Harington, her former co-star from Game of Thrones. The two met while filming the HBO series, where they portrayed Ygritte and Jon Snow. Their on-screen storyline became one of the show’s most discussed arcs during its middle seasons.

They married on 23 June 2018 in Scotland. The wedding took place in Aberdeenshire, close to Leslie’s family home. The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in January 2021. 

In July 2023, they confirmed the birth of their second child, a daughter. Both actors have maintained a measured public approach to family life, rarely sharing details beyond confirmed announcements.

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Their relationship has remained largely outside tabloid controversy, with public attention focused primarily on their shared association with one of television’s most influential series.

Rose Leslie Body Measurements

Leslie stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (around 168 cm) tall. Publicly available sources list her weight at roughly 53 kilograms (117 pounds).

Her physical presence on screen has often been defined less by glamour conventions and more by athletic capability.

Leslie has spoken about enjoying activities such as running, rock climbing, skiing, archery, and tennis. These interests align with the physical demands of several of her roles. 

Rose Leslie Movies and TV Shows

Leslie’s breakthrough came with her portrayal of Gwen Dawson in Downton Abbey. The ITV series quickly became a global success, and her role as a housemaid navigating social mobility placed her within a cultural phenomenon early in her career.

Her international recognition expanded with Game of Thrones, where her performance as Ygritte across seasons two through four was widely noted for emotional intensity and sharp delivery. Critics highlighted her ability to elevate a supporting role into a defining presence within the ensemble.

Following that success, Leslie appeared in the horror film Honeymoon and joined the BBC crime drama Luther as Detective Sergeant Emma Lane. She later starred as Maia Rindell in The Good Fight, a legal and political drama that ran for multiple seasons. 

In 2022, she appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Death on the Nile. She also led HBO’s adaptation of The Time Traveler's Wife as Clare Abshire.

In 2021, she joined the cast of the BBC thriller Vigil, expanding her presence in contemporary British drama. 

How Much is Rose Leslie’s Net Worth?

Rose Leslie’s net worth is around £3-5 million. This figure reflects her earnings from television and film work over more than a decade, including roles in internationally distributed series and studio films.

Her income sources are primarily acting salaries from major TV productions like Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, and The Time Traveler’s Wife, along with work in films such as Death on the Nile. 

Trivia

• Leslie won a Scottish BAFTA Award for her first major screen role in New Town (2009).
• She trained at LAMDA and holds a BA (Hons) in Acting.
• She holds a Basic Armed Stage Combat Skills (BASSC) certificate.
• Rose Leslie lived in France for three years during childhood and speaks fluent French.
• She performed at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in the play Bedlam in 2010.
• She narrated a BBC Radio program titled The British Slave Trade: Abolition, Parliament and People.
• Leslie voiced the character “En” in the video game Echo (2017).
• She supported Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom during the 2014 independence referendum.
• She campaigned locally during the 2015 UK general election.
• Leslie is a patron of the charity Firefly International.

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