Charlotte Riley was born on December 29, 1981 in the small village of Grindon, County Durham, England. She was born to parents Michael and Margaret Riley. Her father, Michael, is an engineer and her mother, Margaret, is a nurse and grief counselor. Growing up, Charlotte spent her early years in County Durham with older siblings Simon and Joanne.
She attended Teesside High School at the age of nine. She graduated at 18 and entered St. Cuthbert’s College, Durham University in 2000. During her college days, she performed with the sketch comedy group Durham Revue. Riley also took part in musical numbers and plays. In 2003 she graduated with a BA in English and Linguistics. In 2005 she graduated from the London Academy of Music and Performing Arts (LAMDA) and completed it by 2007.
