Gillian Anderson has turned heads at the Cannes Film Festival with a striking new hairstyle, showcasing voluminous ’80s-inspired curls. The 57-year-old actress, best known for her roles in The X-Files and Sex Education, attended a photocall on Wednesday wearing a beige floral Miu Miu midi-dress that perfectly complemented her blonde curly blowout.
A Dramatic Departure from Her Signature Look
Anderson, who typically opts for sleek straight hair or a tidy bun at industry events, surprised fans with this bold change. Her new curls mark a notable departure from her usual style, adding a touch of retro glamour to her appearance. The actress recently walked the Miu Miu catwalk at Paris Fashion Week in March, further cementing her fashion-forward reputation.
Film Promotion at Cannes
Anderson was at the festival to promote her upcoming film Teenage Sex And Death At Camp Miasma. She posed for photographs alongside her co-star, Hacks actress Hannah Einbinder, and director Jane Schoenbrun. Einbinder, who won an Emmy for best supporting actress in a comedy for her role as Ava Daniels, wore a black high-neck sleeveless handkerchief midi dress with black thong sandalled heels. Director Schoenbrun opted for a star-cutout black long-sleeve midi bodycon dress with black lace-up flats.
About the Film
The film premieres at the 79th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday night. It follows a queer director, played by Einbinder, who is tasked with making the sequel to a slasher zombie franchise. As she seeks a cameo from the film’s original star, portrayed by Anderson, she embarks on an obsessive journey that becomes increasingly dangerous and surreal.
Anderson’s Career Highlights
Anderson is widely recognized for her role as sex therapist Jean Milburn in Netflix’s Sex Education and for portraying Margaret Thatcher in The Crown, a performance that earned her the outstanding supporting actress in a drama series Emmy in 2021. She also starred in the 2024 biopic The Salt Path alongside Jason Isaacs and in the 2025 series Trespasses.
In addition to her acting career, Anderson is a published author. Her book Want: Sexual Fantasies By Anonymous, a collection of essays based on anonymous letters from women about their sexual desires, became a number one Sunday Times bestseller. Published in September 2024, it received two nominations at the 2025 British Book Awards. Anderson announced last year that she would publish a second volume.
