Born to a British father and an Irish mother in the culturally rich city of Vienna, Cox's early life was marked by her parents' divorce. Despite this, her parents' shared passion for music, as both are accomplished pianists, had a profound impact on Cox's upbringing. Originally drawn to Vienna on a grant for musicians, Cox's parents instilled in her a deep appreciation for the arts.
Growing up in Vienna, Cox's educational journey took her to high school, where she graduated in 2003. It was during her final year that she discovered her passion for acting, performing in a play as part of her English classes. This experience sparked a desire to pursue a career in the performing arts, and Cox went on to study acting at the prestigious Max Reinhardt Seminar.
After completing her studies, Cox began her professional acting career, securing a contract as a stage actor at the Theater in der Josefstadt in Vienna in 2008. However, it was her move to Berlin in 2011 that marked a significant turning point in her career. Since then, Cox has appeared in a variety of films and television series on both German and Austrian networks, including several installments of the popular Tatort franchise.
One of Cox's most notable roles to date is that of Brida, a fierce Viking warrior, in the Netflix series The Last Kingdom. Since joining the show in 2015, Cox has gained international and recognition acclaim, solidifying her position as a talented and versatile actress.
