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Last updated on the 4 July 2025 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: 24 June 1982, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Laura Donnelly, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, grew up in a vibrant city rich in culture and history. She developed an early passion for acting, which led her to pursue formal training at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, now known as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She graduated in 2004, equipped with the skills that would later define her career.
Donnelly made her on-screen debut in 2005 with the Channel 4 drama “Sugar Rush”, marking the beginning of a diverse and successful career in television and film. She gained recognition for her role as Jenny Fraser Murray in “Outlander” (2014–2017). She also starred in “Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands” (2016) and played a lead role in HBO’s “The Nevers” (2021–2023), where she portrayed Amalia True, a complex and compelling character.
Beyond television, Donnelly has made significant contributions to theatre. She collaborated with playwright Jez Butterworth on multiple productions, including “The Ferryman”, which earned her the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2018. Her performance in the Broadway adaptation of the play also secured her a Tony Award nomination.
In her personal life, Donnelly resides in London with her partner, Jez Butterworth, and their two daughters. Despite her growing fame, she maintains a relatively private life, focusing on her family and career.
Suggested viewing
The Nevers (2021)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.4
In “The Nevers,” set in Victorian London, a group of people, mainly women, gain mysterious abilities after a supernatural event. These individuals, known as the “Touched,” face societal prejudice while grappling with their newfound powers. Amidst this turmoil, they form a support network and work together to uncover the origins of their abilities. As they confront threats and challenges, alliances are tested, secrets unravel and the city’s balance of power is at stake.
Top cast: Top cast: Laura Donnelly, Ann Skelly, Olivia Williams, James Norton, Pip Torrens, Tom Riley, Rochelle Neil, Eleanor Tomlinson, Amy Manson.
Outlander (2014)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.3
“Outlander” follows Claire Fraser who time travels from World War II to 18th-century Scotland, where she finds politics, love and danger. Caught in the conflict between British soldiers and Scottish rebels, she struggles to find her place while facing challenges of loyalty and survival in both time periods.
Top cast: Caitríona Balfe, Sam Heughan, Sophie Skelton, Richard Ranking, John Bell, Tobias Menzies, Graham McTavish, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Laura Donnelly, Bill Paterson, Duncan Lacroix.
