Cosima Shaw grew up in Berlin, Germany and was raised bilingually by her German mother, a classical violinist and American father, who is a writer and translator. She initially trained as a dancer and singer as well as jobbing in commercials and as a model alongside her academic studies before pursuing an acting career. Her first big break came when she was cast as the German lesbian receptionist in the BBC1 comedy, Trevor's World of Sport (2003), written and directed by Andy Hamilton. This led to parts in feature films, such as V for Vendetta (2005), "The Danish Girl" (2016), "Papadopoulos and Sons" (2012), playing an American financial advisor opposed to corporate irresponsibility alongside Stephen Dillane, as well as an award-winning performance as Ana, a woman who equally mourns and rejoices the death of her husband from cancer in "Ana Begins" (2009). Notable British TV productions have included "Dr. Who" (2008), "Zen" (2011), "Dirk Gently" (2012) and "Toast of London" (2013). Shaw also continues to appear in German TV and film productions.