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10 best actresses who played Anna Karenina

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The romantic novel by Leo Tolstoy is one of the most frequently adapted pieces of literature of all time and among all nations. More than 30 movies have been made based on that story. Below, we highlight some of the best actresses to have played the eponymous character.

1. Greta Garbo

A still from 'Love' silent movie

A still from ‘Love’ silent movie

dir. Edmund Goulding, John Gilbert, 1927/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

The legendary actress actually played Anna Karenina twice. First, in the silent movie ‘Love’ (1927), where her partner was John Gilbert, with whom Greta had a relationship with in real life – sadly for him, she broke up with Gilbert in quite a dramatic way at the altar!

A still from 'Anna Karenina': Greta Garbo as Karenina and Fredric March as Vronsky

A still from ‘Anna Karenina’: Greta Garbo as Karenina and Fredric March as Vronsky

dir. Clarence Brown, 1935/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Eight years later, Garbo reprised the role again and the ‘Anna Karenina’ from 1935 went on to become a Hollywood classic. This movie is also considered one of the best in the actress’ filmography.

2. Vivien Leigh

A still from 'Anna Karenina': Vivien Leigh as Karenina and Kieron Moore as Count Vronsky

A still from ‘Anna Karenina’: Vivien Leigh as Karenina and Kieron Moore as Count Vronsky

dir. Julien Duvivier, 1948/London Film Productions

Nine years after her star role as Scarlett O’Hara, Vivien Leigh played Anna Karenina (1948), a woman as passionate and determined. However, the movie by French director Julien Duvivier wasn’t very successful at the box office.

3. Zully Moreno

A still from 'Amor prohibido' (The Prohibited Love)

A still from ‘Amor prohibido’ (The Prohibited Love)

dir. Luis Cesar Amadori, Ernesto Arancibia, 1958

The star of Argentinian cinema’s ‘golden age’, beautiful Zuly Moreno starred in ‘Prohibited Love’ (1955).

Jorge Mistral and Zully Moreno in 'Amor prohibido'

Jorge Mistral and Zully Moreno in ‘Amor prohibido’

Legion Media

Tolstoy’s narrative was moved to the realities of Argentina in the 1950s.

4. Tatiana Samoilova

Tatyana Samoilova is the most famous Soviet Anna Karenina

Tatyana Samoilova is the most famous Soviet Anna Karenina

dir. Alexander Zarkhi, 1967/Mosfilm

Soviet ‘Anna Karenina’ (1967) by Alexander Zarkhi is still considered one of the more exemplary adaptations – not least thanks to the brilliant acting by Tatiana Samoilova (she was also the star of the 1957 movie ‘The Cranes Are Flying’, the only Russian winner of the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival).

Tatiana Samoilova as Anna Karenina and Vasiloy Lanovoy as Vronsky

Tatiana Samoilova as Anna Karenina and Vasiloy Lanovoy as Vronsky

dir. Alexander Zarkhi, 1967/Mosfilm

Vronsky, meanwhile, was played by Vasily Lanovoy – at the time, Samoilova’s ex-husband, which only added more drama to their performances.

5. Maya Plisetskaya

Maya Plisetskaya in 'Anna Karenina' ballet movie

Maya Plisetskaya in ‘Anna Karenina’ ballet movie

Murashko/Sputnik

Even legendary prima ballerina Maya Plisetskaya appeared in the role of Tolstoy’s femme fatale. The Bolshoi Theater performance became the foundation of the 1974 ‘Anna Karenina’ ballet movie. At the time of filming, the ballerina was almost 50 years old, but she still managed to play the role of a 23-year-old woman in love brilliantly.

Maya Plisetskaya as Betsy, Vronsky's cousin, in the 1967 movie

Maya Plisetskaya as Betsy, Vronsky’s cousin, in the 1967 movie

dir. Alexander Zarkhi, 1967/Mosfilm

By the way, when she was younger, Plisetskaya also played a small role in another ‘Anna Karenina’ movie from 1967 – as Betsy, Vronsky’s cousin, where she stole the scene during her appearance at a horse race.

6. Jacqueline Bisset

Jacqueline Bisset and Christopher Reeve as Vronsky

Jacqueline Bisset and Christopher Reeve as Vronsky

dir. Simon Langton, 1985/Colgems Productions Ltd.

The British actress and the star of ‘Rich and Famous’ (1981) played the main role in ‘Anna Karenina’ (1985) even before her success in the 1987 adaptation of the love between Napoleon and Josephine. However, critics didn’t receive the TV drama for CBS too well and it has a modest rating of 6.3 on IMDb.

7. Sophie Marceau

Sophie Marceau as Karenina and Sean Bean as Vronsky

Sophie Marceau as Karenina and Sean Bean as Vronsky

dir. Bernard Rose, 1997/Icon Entertainmnet International

Production company ‘Icon Productions’ worked on this ‘Anna Karenina’ (1997) alongside two Russian companies – movie studio ‘Lenfilm’ and TRITE studio. The movie was shot entirely in Russia. Despite the discrepancies between it and the original plot by Tolstoy, critics praised the cinematic language and the attention towards recreating the image of Russia of the 19th century – and, of course, beautiful Frenchwoman Sophie Marceau in tandem with Sean Bean.

Some scenes were filmed right in the Moscow Kremlin

Some scenes were filmed right in the Moscow Kremlin

dir. Bernard Rose, 1997/Icon Entertainmnet International

By the way, the movie influenced the personal life of the actress herself. She soon left her husband, Polish director Andrzej Żuławski, for Jim Lampley, one of the movie’s producers.

8. Keira Knightley

Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina

Keira Knightley as Anna Karenina

dir. Joe Wright, 2012/Working Title Films

It’s hard to call the Oscar-winning ‘Anna Karenina’ (2012) by Joe Wright a full-scale adaptation, it’s more of a theatrical sketch. Critics even criticized this movie for its fragmentary nature; however, everyone – including award judges – remembered its beautiful costumes. Keira Knightley was really believable and, as her heroine was supposed to appear, she genuinely irritated viewers.

Keira Knightley (Anna Karenina) and Jude Law (as her husband Alexei Karenin)

Keira Knightley (Anna Karenina) and Jude Law (as her husband Alexei Karenin)

dir. Joe Wright, 2012/Working Title Films

Against the backdrop of the mediocre acting of Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), the deceived husband Karenin (Jude Law) appeared very favorably – and it was him who reaped all the admiration of the audience.

9. Vittoria Puccini

Vittoria Puccini in 'Anna Karenina' TV series

Vittoria Puccini in ‘Anna Karenina’ TV series

dir. Christian Duge, 2013/Lux Vide S.p.a.

Mini TV series ‘Anna Karenina’ (2013) with Italian actress Vittoria Puccini, filmed for television, received a good enough average score of 7.2 on IMDb. Critics thought this adaptation was decent, considering the high standing of the original. Another personal drama unfolded on the sets of this movie – after being in a relationship with actor Alessandro Preziosi, her co-star in the TV series ‘Elisa di Rivombrosa’, for 10 years, Puccini began an affair with cinematographer Fabricio Lucci.

10. Elizaveta Boyarskaya

Elizaveta Boyarskaya as Anna Karenina and her real-life husband, actor Maxim Matveev as Vronsky

Elizaveta Boyarskaya as Anna Karenina and her real-life husband, actor Maxim Matveev as Vronsky

dir. Karen Shakhnazarov, 2017

The plot of Karen Shakhnazarov’s ‘Anna Karenina: Vronsky’s Story’ (2017) is, meanwhile, told from Vronsky’s point of view; for the first time, the drama is focused on him – it’s he who is losing his love. However, there’s a serious discrepancy between this and Tolstoy: The director added another detail – Vronsky remembers his beloved many years later, while fighting in Manchuria in 1904 during the Russo-Japanese War.

Elizaveta Boyarskaya played the role of Karenina, while the role of Vronsky was played by Maxim Matveev, who is married to the actress in real life.

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Entertainment

Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

  • Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
  • Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
  • Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
  • Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
  • Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
  • Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

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Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

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Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.

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