2010s
2010 Ruth Wilson for A Streetcar Named Desire
- Hayley Atwell for A View From the Bridge
- Michelle Dockery for Burnt by the Sun
- Alexandra Gilbreath for Twelfth Night
- Keira Knightley for The Misanthrope
- Rachael Stirling for The Priory
2011 Michelle Terry for Tribes
- Anastasia Hille for The Master Builder
- Gina McKee for King Lear
- Rachael Stirling for An Ideal Husband
- Sarah Goldberg for Clybourne Park
From 2003-2009 and in 2012, the award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role had returned in place of the separate Supporting Actor and Actress awards, female winners are:
- 2003: Essie Davis for A Streetcar Named Desire
- 2005: Amanda Harris for Othello
- 2006: Noma Dumezweni for A Raisin in the Sun
- 2012: Sheridan Smith for Flare Path
Read more about this topic: Laurence Olivier Award For Best Actress In A Supporting Role