Six months after graduating from Webber Douglas, Dormer won the role of Victoria in "Casanova". Her film debut, it was released in 2005. The director, Lasse Hallström, was so impressed with Dormer's comedic timing, he ordered the scriptwriter to expand her part. In 2005, Dormer had a small part in "Distant Shores". After the filming of "Casanova", Dormer was out of work for ten months, which she ascribes to "bad representation". She was attached to an independent film although financing caused delays. Removed from the audition circuit, Dormer worked as a waitress and data entry. She says her out-of-work phase "was the best lesson".