This weekend, the brightest Hollywood stars will be descending on the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 98th Academy Awards. Vampire horror Sinners leads the pack with a record 16 nominations this year, followed by thriller One Battle After Another with 13 nominations. Marty Supreme, Frankenstein and Sentimental Value each have nine nods, whilst Hamnet has eight.

One of the only sole nominees for their film is Rose Byrne, who has been recognised in the Leading Actress category for her role in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. In the film, Rose portrays Linda, a psychotherapist grappling with motherhood whilst caring for her daughter, who suffers from a mysterious illness that requires a feeding tube.

The daughter, who never appears on screen, is played by Delaney Quinn, with the supporting cast including A$AP Rocky, Christian Slater, and Oscars host Conan O’Brien. Critics have showered the indie film with acclaim since its release last year, with many agreeing that Rose delivers “the performance of a lifetime”, reports the Mirror.

Whilst bookmakers suggest that Jessie Buckley is the clear favourite to claim the Leading Actress trophy this weekend, fans shouldn’t discount Rose, particularly after she secured the Golden Globe in January. She has also collected several critics’ awards, positioning her as Jessie’s strongest rival at the Oscars.

Ahead of the biggest night in Hollywood, here’s everything you need to know about Rose Byrne.

Having watched Rose portray numerous characters with an American accent throughout the years, many fans may be astonished to discover that the 46-year-old is, in fact, Australian. Rose hails from Balmain, a compact suburb situated a stone’s throw from the Sydney Opera House. She also possesses Irish heritage.

The actress has previously voiced a profound connection to Ireland, observing that passport control personnel frequently say “welcome home” upon her arrival, after spotting her Gaelic surname.

Rose is the youngest of four siblings, which the performer credits for her aspiration to act, as she was consistently “the ham” of the family. Rose attended the Australian Theatre for Young People, where she was swiftly spotted by a casting agent.

Whilst many Aussies began their acting careers in soaps such as Home and Away and Neighbours, Rose pursued a somewhat different route. Following an unsuccessful audition for Home and Away, Rose instead featured in the short-lived 1995 drama Echo Point, before establishing her international career.

Rose rose to prominence after appearing as the love interest in the 1999 Australian classic Two Hands, opposite fellow Aussie Heath Ledger. The film took Rose to Sundance, catapulting her to international stardom.

The actress subsequently starred in numerous Hollywood blockbusters, including Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, and Troy. However, it was the legal drama Damages that propelled the Australian to fresh acclaim. The programme’s storyline centred on merciless solicitor Patty Hewes (portrayed by Glenn Close), with Rose assuming the part of her latest apprentice Ellen Parsons.

Following five triumphant series, Rose chose to shift direction in her career and began auditioning for comedic parts, resulting in her memorable performances in Bridesmaids, I Give It a Year, and Bad Neighbours.

Rose has been in a long-standing relationship with American actor Bobby Cannavale since 2012. The pair share two sons: Rocco, who was born in 2016, and Rafael, born in 2017.

Rose and Bobby have collaborated on multiple productions, including the films Annie, Adult Beginners, Spy, and Ezra, as well as the Broadway play Medea in 2020.

Rose immediately captured the affection of fans when she accepted her Golden Globe in January, and disclosed to audiences that her partner had skipped the ceremony to attend a reptile exhibition in New Jersey to purchase a bearded dragon for their children. “Never in my life will I announce something like that again at an awards show!” the star has subsequently quipped.

There’s absolutely no question about it, Rose Byrne stands amongst the finest actors of her generation. From matching Glenn Close scene for scene to brilliantly portraying a rivalrous bridesmaid, and capturing a mother pushed to breaking point, there’s nothing Rose can’t do. Whilst it appears to be Jessie Buckley’s Oscar to lose, Rose undoubtedly gives the Hamnet star a run for her money.

The 98th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, March 15 on ITV1 and ITVX from 10.15pm

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