Katherine Kelly (actress)

Katherine Kelly
Kelly in 2019
Born
Katherine Kelly

(1979-11-19) 19 November 1979
Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England
EducationRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
OccupationActress
Years active2001–present
Spouse
Ryan Clark
​
​
(m. 2013; sep. 2020)​
Children2
AwardsFull list

Katherine Kelly (born 19 November 1979) is an English actress. She rose to prominence with her portrayal of Becky McDonald on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street (2006–2012), for which she received multiple awards, including the British Soap Award for Best Actress (2009) and the NTA for Best Serial Drama Performance (2012).

Kelly's subsequent television roles include Lady Mae in Mr Selfridge (2013–2014, 2016), DI Jodie Shackleton in Happy Valley (2016), Miss Andrea Quill in Class (2016), Jane Lowry in Strike Back (2017–2018), DCI Natalie Hobbs in Criminal: UK (2019–2020), Elizabeth Sutherland in Gentleman Jack (2019–2022), DI Karen Renton in Liar (2020), Sally Wright in Innocent (2021), and Angela van Den Bogerd in Mr Bates vs The Post Office (2024), and Dr. Sophia Craven in ‘’The Crow Girl’’ (2025).

Early life and education

Katherine Kelly was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.[1] She grew up in both South Yorkshire and the United States. She has strong links with The Lamproom Theatre in Barnsley, established in 1998 by her father John (who is originally from Castleisland, County Kerry, Ireland), and has regularly supported fund-raising events held there.[2][3]

She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art with fellow students Meredith MacNeill,[2][4] Leo Bill,[5] Elliot Cowan,[5] Laurence Fox,[2][4] and actor and novelist Anna Hope,[5] graduating in 2001.[4][5]

Career

Kelly was a regular in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street as Becky McDonald from 2006 until 2012.[6]

Kelly at the Stoneleigh Park Country Festival in 2008

Kelly appeared on the 2010 album, Coronation Street: Rogues, Angels, Heroes & Fools. Kelly, in character as Becky McDonald, sang the lead single from the album, If It's Too Late, which was remixed by former PWL and Stock Aitken Waterman "Mixmaster", Pete Hammond.[7]

After she left Coronation Street, she was cast as Miss Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer at the National Theatre from 24 January 2012.[8]

Kelly's first television role after leaving Coronation Street was in the 90-minute BBC Four biopic The Best Possible Taste, in which she played Lee Middleton, wife of Kenny Everett.[9] In early 2013 she played socialite Lady Loxley in the ITV drama series Mr Selfridge,[10] later signing on to appear in the second series of the show in 2014[11] and its final series in 2016.[12]

Later in 2013 she joined the lead cast of The Field of Blood, based on the novel by Denise Mina. Kelly played Maloney, an ambitious woman in the "ferociously male-dominated world of 1980s newspaper journalism".[13] Also that year she starred in the three part ITV thriller, The Guilty, as Claire Reid, mother to a missing five-year-old child.[14]

Kelly attending the BAFTAs in 2009, alongside co-star Antony Cotton

In 2014 she played Alaura Kingsley in the critically acclaimed production of City of Angels at the Donmar Warehouse directed by Josie Rourke.[15]

In August 2015 it was announced that Kelly would join the cast of Happy Valley, which aired the following year.[16] In the series Kelly portrays DI Jodie Shackleton, a part that was written for her by series creator Sally Wainwright. Kelly enjoyed the opportunity to play a character in her native Yorkshire accent, and prepared for the role by shadowing police detectives in Halifax.[17] Also in 2016 she appeared as the Permanent Secretary in four episodes of The Night Manager.[18]

On 4 April 2016, it was announced that Kelly would appear in the BBC Three Doctor Who spin-off series Class written by Patrick Ness, airing from October 2016.[19] In October 2016, Kelly appeared as Hannah in ITV drama Him.

In 2018, Kelly made her first film appearance since 2009 in Dirty God,[20] playing Lisa, the protagonist Jade's mother. The following year, Kelly appeared in the feature film Official Secrets, based on the real life events of intelligence whistleblower Katharine Gun (portrayed by Keira Knightley). In the film, Kelly plays Jacqueline Jones, an MI6 agent who tacitly confirms the legitimacy of Gun's leaked memo to a journalist contact at The Observer.

The same year, Kelly appeared in an episode of Flack, as Brooke.[21] Later that year, Kelly portrayed Leah in four part ITV drama Cheat.[22] In September 2019, Netflix released its mini-series Criminal: UK with Kelly in the role of the lead investigator.[23]

Kelly joined the cast of Liar for its second series in 2020, playing Detective Karen Renton. A character bio for Renton describes her as an “unconventional” officer, whose “bluntness” often ruffles feathers. Of her role, Kelly stated “It's my belief that Karen Renton is that way because she has to be that, and if she wasn't that, I wouldn't believe that out of all the detectives that they could send from the Met to solve this front-page news story, why would they pick her if she wasn't excellent at her job?" she said. “I think she would have been chosen because she can act very quickly and very swiftly, and she has great instincts."[24]

In September 2023, Kelly appeared as Emily Jackson in the ITV1 drama series The Long Shadow.[25][26]

Personal life

Kelly married Ryan Clark in 2013 in Las Vegas. They have two daughters. In August 2020, the couple announced their separation when Kelly relocated from north London to her home town of Barnsley.[27]

In November 2022, Kelly was reported to be dating actor Tony Pitts.[28]

Filmography

Television

Key
† Denotes television productions that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2003Last of the Summer WineSharleneEpisode: "Ancient Eastern Wisdom — An Introduction"
Silent WitnessTina AllenEpisode: "Running on Empty (Part One and Part Two)”
2004The RoyalTina BinningtonEpisode: "Holding on Tight"
2005BodiesSally Campbell1 episode
2006No AngelsAnnie1 episode
2006–2012Coronation StreetBecky McDonaldGuest character (2006); Main cast regular (2006–2012; 704 episodes)
British Soap Award for Best Actress (2009)
British Soap Award for Best Exit (2012)
National Television Award for Best Serial Drama Performance (2012)
2006LeerdammerHerselfAdvert
2007Life on MarsAuntie Heather1 episode
New Street LawRebecca1 episode
The VisitJulie1 episode
2012The Best Possible TasteLee MiddletonBiopic
2013–2014, 2016Mr SelfridgeMae, Lady Loxley30 episodes
2013The Field of BloodMaloney2 episodes
The Last WitchAlice ListerTelevision film
The GuiltyClaire Reid3 episodes
2015The Sound of Music LiveBaroness Elsa SchraederUK version of The Sound of Music Live!
2016Happy ValleyDI Jodie ShackletonSeries regular; 6 episodes
The Night ManagerThe Permanent Secretary3 episodes
HIMHannah3 episodes
ClassMiss Andrea QuillMain role; 8 episodes
2017–2018Strike BackJane Lowry9 episodes
2018–2019MurdertownPresenter13 episodes
2019FlackBrooke Love-Wells1 episode
CheatLeah DaleMain role; 4 episodes
2019–2022Gentleman JackElizabeth Sutherland7 episodes
2019–2020Criminal: UKDCI Natalie HobbsMain role; 7 episodes
2020LiarDI Karen Renton6 episodes
2021InnocentSally WrightMain role; 4 episodes
2022BloodsGeorgeMain role; 10 episodes
2023Black OpsKirsty2 episodes
The Long ShadowEmily Jackson1 episode
Ruby SpeakingVickiMain role; 6 episodes
2024Mr Bates vs The Post OfficeAngela van Den Bogerd3 episodes
Inside No. 9LynneEpisode: "Ctrl Alt Esc"
ProtectionDCI Hannah WheatleyMain role; 6 episodes
2025The Crow GirlSophia CravenMain role; 6 episodes
In FlightJo ConranMain role; 6

episodes[29]

How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge)KatrinaMain role[30]
The HackSheridan McCoid
2026Number 10 †Frances TelfordMain role[31]

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2003Sons and LoversEmily / Suffragette
2006Mischief NightJunkie Jane
2008Coronation Street: Out of AfricaBecky GrangerThird Coronation Street direct to video movie
2009Coronation Street: Romanian HolidayBecky McDonaldFourth Coronation Street direct to video movie
2018 Dirty God Lisa Minor role
2019 Official Secrets Jacqueline Jones
2021 Last Train to Christmas Paula

Audio

Year Title Role Notes
2018ClassMiss Quill2 episodes

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ↑ "Katherine Kelly aka Becky MacDonald from Coronation Street". Unit One Entertainment. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Penfold, Phil (19 August 2013). "The Big Interview: Katherine Kelly". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  3. ↑ Ellen, Barbara (17 February 2012). "Katherine Kelly: from Rada to the Rovers – and back to the stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 Penfold, Phil (6 February 2013). "Katherine Kelly: A role with surprise in store". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Fabrique. "Student & graduate profiles — RADA". www.rada.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  6. ↑ Bramford, Matt (9 March 2015). "Soap Stars in TV Adverts!". What's on TV. TI Media. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  7. ↑ Sarah Tetteh (20 April 2011). "Corrie's Katherine Kelly to hit charts". Mirror. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  8. ↑ Masters, Tim (23 January 2012). "Katherine Kelly: Coronation Street star back on stage". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  9. ↑ Fletcher, Alex (3 April 2012). "Katherine Kelly in Kenny Everett biopic: First picture". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  10. ↑ Jeffrey, Morgan (29 March 2012). "Jeremy Piven, Katherine Kelly to star in ITV's 'Mr Selfridge'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  11. ↑ Lazarus, Susanna (25 April 2013). "New plot details for series two of Mr Selfridge". Radio Times. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  12. ↑ "Katherine Kelly on her return to Mr Selfridge". Radio Times. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  13. ↑ "Katherine Kelly to star in BBC Scotland drama, Field Of Blood: The Dead Hour". BBC. 29 November 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  14. ↑ "Katherine Kelly for new crime drama". Daily Echo. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 3 May 2013.
  15. ↑ Blount, Lorna (17 December 2014). "City of Angels musical returns to London". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  16. ↑ Tartaglione, Nancy (24 August 2015). "'Happy Valley' Adds Cast For Season 2; Lee Hupfield Inks Deal With Cats On The Roof Media – Global Briefs". Deadline. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  17. ↑ Hiley, Robert (9 February 2016). "Katherine Kelly: 'It's nice to play someone in my own accent in Happy Valley – I never get to do that!'". What's on TV. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  18. ↑ Lazarus, Susanna (23 January 2016). "Tom Hiddleston is up to his neck in first trailer for The Night Manager". Radio Times. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  19. ↑ Gill, James (4 April 2016). "Who are the stars of new Doctor Who spin-off Class?". Radio Times.
  20. ↑ "Modern Films announce the UK and Irish release date of June 7 for Sacha Polak's English-language debut DIRTY GOD". The Fan Carpet. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  21. ↑ "Flack: 5 fast facts from Season 1, Episode 4". Hidden Remote. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  22. ↑ "7 Questions With… Cheat's Katherine Kelly". BT.com. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  23. ↑ Sutton, Megan (9 September 2019). "Katherine Kelly and the 'Criminal' cast reveal why it's a police drama with a difference". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  24. ↑ Fenwick, George (2 March 2020). "Who is DI Karen Renton in Liar season 2? Katherine Kelly's character explained". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  25. ↑ Jessop, Vicky (2 October 2023). "Who is Katherine Kelly, the star of true crime show The Long Shadow?". Evening Standard. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  26. ↑ Richardson, Hollie; Virtue, Graeme; Jones, Ellen E. (25 September 2023). "The Guardian". TheGuardian.com. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  27. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Katie (15 August 2020). "Coronation Street star Katherine Kelly has split from her husband". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  28. ↑ "Katherine Kelly 'dating Tony Pitts'". Yahoo! News. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  29. ↑ "Channel 4 announces thrilling new drama In Flight starring Katherine Kelly". Channel 4 (Press release). 11 November 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  30. ↑ Pelley, Rich (12 September 2025). "'Partridge is more popular than me – that's a given!' Steve Coogan on Alan's glorious return". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  31. ↑ "Rafe Spall, Jenna Coleman and Katherine Kelly to lead the cast of Steven Moffat comedy drama 'Number 10' for Channel 4". channel4.com/press. 10 December 2025. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
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