Saffron Burrows began studying acting as a child in youth theatre, before making her major film debut in Jim Sheridan's In the Name of the Father, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. She came to the attention of international audiences with her second role, as an Irish girl seduced by a morally suspect Englishman (Colin Firth) in Circle of Friends, starring Minnie Driver and Chris O'Donnell.

Burrows' film work ranges from art-house dramas such as Miss Julie and Timecode, to Deep Blue Sea and the mob drama Gangster #1 starring Malcolm McDowell, Paul Bettany and David Thewlis. Most recently, she starred in Michael Apted's box office hit Enigma, and appeared in the critically praised Frida.

Burrows will start production in New Zealand this spring in Perfect Creature with Dougray Scott.