Jessica Anne Ellerby (born 1986) is an Emirati-born English actress and filmmaker. She began her career in theatre. On television, she is known for her roles in the Netflix sitcom Lovesick (2014–2016), series 8 of Benidorm (2016) on ITV, and the Epix series Pennyworth (2019–2021).

Jessica Ellerby
Born
Jessica Anne Ellerby

1986 (age 37–38)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Alma materBristol Old Vic Theatre School
Years active2008–present
Spouse
(m. 2017)

Early life

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Ellerby was born and raised in Dubai to English parents. She attended Dubai College.[1] At 17,[2] Ellerby returned to England for her A Levels.[3] She went on to graduate from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.[4]

Career

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After graduating from drama school, Ellerby made her professional stage debut in Triptych at Southwark Playhouse in 2008. In 2010, she made her West End debut in Dreamboats and Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre.

After making her feature film debut with a background role in the 2010 comedy Get Him to the Greek, Ellerby had her first starring role as Lynne in the 2011 indie horror film Hollow. In 2012, Ellerby returned to the West End in Trevor Nunn's production of A Chorus of Disapproval at the Harold Pinter Theatre. She then appeared in the 2013 film Svengali as Alice.

From 2014 to 2016, Ellerby had a recurring role in the first two series of the Netflix sitcom Lovesick as Jane Ansell, Dylan's (Johnny Flynn) love interest.[5] In 2015, Ellerby appeared in the music video for Noel Gallagher's song "Ballad of the Mighty". In 2016, Ellerby joined the main cast of the long-running ITV sitcom Benidorm for its eighth series as Amber Platt.

Ellerby wrote and directed the 2018 short film The Hungry Games.[6]

Ellerby played Stacee in the second series of the Sky One comedy-drama Living the Dream, which aired in 2019.[7] Also in 2019, Ellerby portrayed a young Queen Elizabeth II in the DC Universe series Pennyworth on Epix. She reprised her recurring role as the Queen in Pennyworth's second season.[8]

Personal life

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Ellerby lives in London.[9] She married actor Nick Hendrix in July 2017.[10] In addition to acting, Ellerby runs a yoga studio.[11]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Get Him to the Greek Club Girl
2011 Hollow Lynne
2013 Svengali Alice
2015 The Pitch Carol Short film
2016 The Five Wives & Lives of Melvyn Pfferberg Scarlett Short film
2018 The Hungry Games Anna Short film; directed
2019 This Time Away Louise Short film
Dirty Rotten Liars Sasha Short film
2023 Making Up Cass Short film

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 The Bill Stacey Hayes Episode: "Growing Pains"
2013 By Any Means Karen Mason 1 episode
2014 Endeavour Diana Day Episode: "Trove"
Cardinal Burns Various 1 episode
2014–2016 Lovesick Jane Ansell 4 episodes
2015 Inside No. 9 Zara Anthology, episode: "The 12 Days of Christine"
SunTrap Waitress Episode: "The Usual Suspects"
The Red Dress Candice Television film
2016 Benidorm Amber Platt Main role (series 8, 7 episodes)
In the Club Molly 3 episodes
Hoff the Record Rebecca Episode: "Finance"
2019 Living the Dream Stacee 5 episodes
2019–2021 Pennyworth Queen Elizabeth II 13 episodes
2021 Midsomer Murders Caitlin Dawson Episode: "Scarecrow Murders"

Video games

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2023 The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Mell

Stage

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 Triptych Brandy Southwark Playhouse, London
Word:Play 2 Theatre503, London
2009 Oorah! Finborough Theatre, London
Dick Whittington Alice Fitzwarren The Theatre Chipping Norton
2010 Dreamboats and Petticoats Donna Playhouse Theatre, London
2011 Fanta Orange Ronnie Finborough Theatre, London[12]
2012 A Chorus of Disapproval Linda Washbrook Harold Pinter Theatre, London

References

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  1. ^ Chaudhury, Shipra (21 June 2001). "Music of the heart". Gulf News. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Actress Jessica Ellerby gets royal for her Queen Elizabeth role in "Pennyworth"". The Untitled. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Jessica Ellerby [Pennyworth]". A Book of Magazine. 17 September 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Jessica Ellerby – Living the dream". Essence. November 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  5. ^ Robinson, Abby (5 November 2019). "Exclusive: Lovesick actor reveals whether we'll ever see the show again". Digital Spy. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Interview with Jessica Ellerby: On the New Wave of Female Leading Roles". The Italian Rêve. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  7. ^ Bandyopadhyay, Alakananda (21 January 2019). "Jessica Ellerby on her love for directing and playing 'someone nice for once' on 'Living the Dream'". MEAWW. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (20 March 2019). "'Pennyworth': Emma Paetz & Jessica Ellerby Cast In Epix's Batman Prequel Series". Deadline. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  9. ^ "My London: Jessica Ellerby – Actress". LDN Fashion. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  10. ^ Perkins, Steven (29 May 2022). "Midsomer Murders star Nick Hendrix on working with his real-life wife: 'It was great to have her on set'". What to Watch. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Jessica Ellerby Stewart Yoga". Jyoga. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Fanta Orange". Finborough Theatre. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
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