'She has the strength to keep going'

Keira Knightley speaks about the joy of embracing her "thriller era" as she takes on the lead role in The Woman In Cabin 10, which premieres on Netflix from October 10

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Keira Knightley, who rose to fame in early-2000s films such as Bend It Like Beckham, Pirates Of The Caribbean and Pride & Prejudice, says she is delighted to now be in her "thriller era.

In recent years, the 40-year-old actress has portrayed an Iraq War whistle-blower in Official Secrets, a 1960s reporter hunting a serial killer in Boston Strangler, and a professional spy in the TV series Black Doves.

Now, the two-time Oscar nominee takes the lead in The Woman In Cabin 10, Simon Stone's adaptation of Ruth Ware's 2016 bestselling novel.

Knightley stars as Laura "Lo" Blacklock, an investigative journalist sent aboard a luxury superyacht to report on a billionaire with secrets to hide, played by Guy Pearce.

One night, Lo witnesses a passenger being thrown overboard, only to be told it never happened, as every guest and crew member is accounted for.

With no one believing her, including fellow passengers portrayed by Hannah Waddingham, Daniel Ings, and Kaya Scodelario, she continues to search for the truth, putting her own life in jeopardy.

"I've always wanted to be in my thriller era," Knightley smiles gleefully. "I'm in the era of doing the kind of stuff I dreamed about as a teenager but never had the chance to try back then.

"Now I'm finally getting to do it all, and my inner teenager is just like, 'Cool."

Knightley says she was drawn to the role because her character is so brave and strong. I think right now people are having to be very strong and very brave, and that's what I find interesting about this character," Knightley explains.