Golden Globes Rising Star: Sally Hawkins

Updated 7:20 AM EST, Wed, Jan 7, 2009

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She may not be a household name yet, but after making moviegoers swoon for her adorable character in Mike Leigh’s most recent film, “Happy Go Lucky,” Sally Hawkins is on her way.

The 32-year-old Brit, and AccessHollywood.com’s newest Rising Star, is currently up for a Golden Globe this coming weekend for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, for bringing to life a plucky optimist named Poppy.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Rising Star: Sally Hawkins

“She thinks she’s hilarious,” Sally previously told Britain’s GMTV of the bubbly character that has already won her a Silver Berlin Bear award at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival. “It’s gorgeous because it’s just full of life and love and she’s wonderful to play.”

Sally, a born-and-raised Londoner, managed to get the role, which also netted her nominations for Best Actress at the British Independent Film Awards and from the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, thanks to her relationship with director Mike Leigh.

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“We worked together before on ‘All or Nothing,’ and ‘Vera Drake,’ and so we knew each other pretty well,” she told GMTV. “And I sort of love his work and always have done. I’m very lucky really.”

Perhaps one reason she was cast in the role that has made her stand out across the world is because Sally admits to being positive, just like Poppy.

“I’m quite an optimist, quite happy in life, quite smiley,” she told the UK’s Guardian newspaper earlier this year.

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But though Poppy has been her breakout role, it certainly wasn’t the actress’ first.

A comedy lover, she has appeared in “Little Britain” opposite Matt Lucas. Sally has also tackled a host of period-dramas including a television version of Jane Austen’s “Persuasion,” and another TV drama in her native Britian – “Byron,” in which she played Mary Shelley.

And she is eager to continue to take on new roles that expand her craft.

“I know from my own experience that great films and great actors can have a really big influence on you,” she told the newspaper. “There is a place for art in the world, and if you’re lucky enough to be good at something and to keep being given work, it’s not such a bad thing.”

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