Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and The Actors Studio (MFA) in New York City. She graduated with a Masters in Philosophy from Edinburgh University (2000) where she was also Director of the Edinburgh Footlights Theatre Company. Xanthe won the BBC Drama 'Act Up' Award (2001), and made her television debut as Miriam Jacobs on 'Doctors' (BBC) that same year.