Keira Christina Knightley was born in Teddington, London, to actors Will Knightley and Sharman Macdonald. Her mother, a playwright, made a deal that if she sold a play, she would allow Keira to have an agent, sparking Knightley's ambition to act from a young age. Overcoming dyslexia was a challenge, but it fueled her determination to succeed. She would practice her lines over and over again until she had them perfect.

Knightley appeared in several television films and series early in her career. These early roles allowed her to gain experience and hone her skills. A notable early role was playing Sabe, Queen Amidala's decoy, in 'Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'. While it didn't catapult her to immediate stardom, it provided valuable exposure and began shaping her career path.