Katherine Kelly

Last updated on the 8 April 2024 by Maeve

Katherine Kelly headshot

Mini Biography

Born: 19 November 1979, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England. 

Raised in both South Yorkshire and the United States, Kelly maintains close ties to The Lamproom Theatre in Barnsley, founded by her father John, an Irishman from Castleisland, County Kerry. She has consistently supported the theatre’s fundraising events.

Katherine Kelly’s journey to stardom began with her theatrical training at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where she honed her skills alongside fellow luminaries like Meredith MacNeill, Leo Bill and Elliot Cowan.

Kelly’s television debut occurred in 2003, when she appeared in a cameo role on the long-running sitcom “Last of the Summer Wine.” However, it was her groundbreaking portrayal of Becky McDonald in the ITV soap opera “Coronation Street” (2006-2012) that catapulted her to national recognition. Her captivating performance as the complex and fiery Becky earned her numerous accolades, including a National Television Award for “Best Serial Drama Performance” in 2012.

Beyond her soap opera success, Kelly has demonstrated her versatility in a diverse range of television roles, including Lady Mae in the ITV drama series “Mr Selfridge” (2013-2014, 2016), Leah Dale in ITV drama “Cheat” (2019), and a lead role in the second series of “Innocent” as Sally Wright (2021). Her theatrical credits include productions at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Manchester Royal Exchange, and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

In 2013, Kelly married Ryan Clark, a businessman, and they have two children together. The couple reside in Yorkshire, where they enjoy a quiet family life amidst their busy careers. With her unwavering dedication to her craft and her philanthropic endeavors, Katherine Kelly continues to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.

 

Suggested viewing

 

The Long Shadow (2023)

The Long Shadow poster cropped

 

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.8

The Long Shadow is a dramatic, true-crime exploration of the 1975-1980 Yorkshire Ripper murders in the UK. The series follows the detectives’ desperate five-year hunt for the killer, who terrorised the region, killing 13 women. The victims’ stories are interwoven with those of their relatives, survivors, and the detectives involved in the case. The series sheds light on the impact of these horrific crimes on society and the enduring trauma they caused.

Top cast: Michael McElhatton, Jack Deam, Lee Ingleby, Kris Hitchen, Chloe Harris, David Morrissey, Toby Jones, Steven Waddington, John Henshaw, Stephen Tompkinson, Daniel Mays, Katherine Kelly.

Cheat (2019)

Cheat poster

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.7

In the gripping psychological thriller Cheat, university professor Leah Dale and her ambitious student Rose Vaughan engage in a dangerous power struggle that spirals out of control. When Rose is accused of plagiarism, Leah’s seemingly straightforward case takes a sinister turn, revealing the dark depths of their relationship. As their rivalry escalates, secrets are unearthed and loyalties are tested, leading to a shocking climax.

Top cast: Katherine Kelly, Molly Windsor, Tom Goodman-Hill, Lorraine Ashbourne, Peter Firth, Burn Gorman, Jimmy Akingbola, Justine Mitchell, Adrian Edmondson.

Innocent (2021)

Innocent series 2 poster

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4

Teacher Sally Wright, who had served a five-year prison sentence for the murder of her 16-year-old student, Matty Taylor, as well as being accused of grooming him, finds herself in a remarkable turn of events. New evidence emerges, leading to the overturning of her conviction and subsequent release from prison. Now, she faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding her former life while grappling with the unsettling question of who is the true perpetrator behind Matty’s murder?

Top cast: Andrew Tiernan, Nadia Albina, Priyanga Burford, Amy-Leigh Hickman, Jamie Bamber, Shaun Dooley, Poppy Miller, Michael Yare, Katherine Kelly (S2).

Mr Selfridge (2013)

Mr Selfridge poster

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7

In the heart of early 20th-century London, the charismatic and ambitious American businessman Harry Gordon Selfridge revolutionises the retail landscape with the grand opening of his luxury department store, Selfridge & Co. Amidst the glamour and spectacle, Selfridge tackles complex relationships, business rivalries, and personal scandals as he strives to build an empire and transform shopping into an unparalleled experience.

Top cast: Jeremy Piven, Frances O’Connor, Aisling Loftus, Katherine Kelly, Samuel West, Grégory Fitoussi, Trystan Gravelle, Amanda Abbington, Tom Goodman-Hill, Kara Tointon, Zoë Tapper.

Similar to

The Paradise poster

 

 

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)

 

Katherine Kelly Gallery

 

 

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