Alice Maud Krige was born on June 28, 1954, in Upington, South Africa. She initially pursued psychology and literature at Rhodes University, but later switched to drama, earning an honors degree. She then trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

Krige made her film debut in Chariots of Fire (1981) and gained recognition for her role in Ghost Story (1981). She has had a diverse career in film, television, and theater, including performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She is best known for playing the Borg Queen in Star Trek: First Contact (1996), a role she reprised in Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and Star Trek: Picard.

Her other notable works include Sleepwalkers (1992), Silent Hill (2006), The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010), and Gretel & Hansel (2020). She has also appeared in TV miniseries such as Children of Dune (2003) and The OA (2016–2019).