Laura Donnelly (born 24 June 1982) is a Northern Irish actress. She is the recipient of a Laurence Olivier Award as well as a nomination for a Tony Award. On television, she is known for her roles in the Starz series Outlander (2014–2017), the ITV series Beowulf (2016), and the HBO series The Nevers (2021–2023).
Laura Donnelly | |
|---|---|
 Donnelly in 2019 | |
| Born | 24 June 1982 Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Alma mater | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Partner | Jez Butterworth |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and education
editDonnelly grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2004.[1]
Career
editShe made her on-screen debut in 2005 in the Channel 4 drama Sugar Rush.[1] She is also known for her regular appearances in Outlander,[1] and Britannia,[1] and as a main character in the Irish film Insatiable (2008).[1]
In 2013, Donnelly played a main role: that of Sarah Kay in The Fall.[1]
In 2018, she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance in The Ferryman.[2] In 2019 she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress for the same role on Broadway.[3]
She played a lead role as Amalia True in HBO's The Nevers (2021).[1]
Personal life
editShe lives in London (2021) with her partner Jez Butterworth, and their two daughters.[4]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Insatiable | Rachel | Lead |
| 2009 | Dread | Abby | |
| Right Hand Drive | Ashley | ||
| 2013 | Hello Carter | Tara | |
| 2014 | Heart of Lightness | Ellida | |
| 2015 | The Program | Emma O'Reilly | |
| 2019 | Tolkien | Mabel Tolkien | |
| 2023 | The Heist Before Christmas | Patricia |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Sugar Rush | Beth | 2 episodes |
| Casualty | Fleur Butler | 7 episodes | |
| Hex | Maya Robertson | 4 episodes | |
| 2006 | The Bill | Jody Macmillan | 1 episode |
| 2007 | Rough Diamond | Aoife | 1 episode |
| 2009 | Occupation | Katy Hibbs | 2 episodes |
| Merlin | Freya | 2 episodes | |
| Best: His Mother's Son | Barbara Best | TV film | |
| 2012 | Missing | Violet Heath | |
| 2013 | The Fall | Sarah Kay | 5 episodes |
| 2014–2017 | Outlander | Janet "Jenny" Fraser Murray | 8 episodes |
| 2016 | Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands | Elvina | Main role |
| 2018–2021 | Britannia | Hella | 6 episodes |
| 2021–2023 | The Nevers | Zephyr Alexis Navine / Amalia True | Main role |
| 2022 | Werewolf by Night | Elsa Bloodstone | Disney+ television special |
Theatre
edit- The Hills of California, Veronica/Joan - Harold Pinter Theatre (director: Sam Mendes)
- The Ferryman, Caitlin Carney - Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre - Broadway (director: Sam Mendes)
- The Ferryman, Caitlin Carney - Royal Court Theatre / Gielgud Theatre (director: Sam Mendes)
- The Wasp, Heather - Trafalgar Studios (director: Tom Attenborough)
- The River, Other Woman - Circle In The Square - Broadway (director: Ian Rickson)
- Tutto Bene Mamma?, The Women - The Print Room (director: Ewan Marshall)
- The River, Other Woman - Royal Court Theatre (director: Ian Rickson)
- Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Katie Doogan - Donmar Warehouse (director: Lyndsey Turner)
- Judgement Day, Anna - Almeida (director: James McDonald)
- Romeo & Juliet, Juliet - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (director: Timothy Sheader)[1]
- A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hermia - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (director: Dominic Leclerc)
- Dancing at Lughnasa, Chrissie - Lyric Theatre Belfast (director: Mick Gordon)
- A Boston Marriage, Catherine - B*Spoke/Project Theatre Dublin
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Fright Meter Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Dread | Nominated | [5] |
| 2017 | Evening Standard Theatre Award | Best Actress | The Ferryman | Nominated | [3] |
| 2018 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Actress | Won | [6][2] | |
| 2019 | Tony Award | Best Actress in a Play | Nominated | [7] | |
| 2022 | Critics' Choice Super Awards | Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series | The Nevers | Nominated | [5] |
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Actress | The Hills of California | Nominated | [8] |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h "Laura Donnelly". Jag London. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ a b Turner, Lauren (9 April 2018). "Hip hop musical Hamilton sweeps Oliviers". BBC News.
- ^ a b Thompson, Jessie (4 December 2017). "These are the winners of the 2017 Evening Standard Theatre Awards". www.standard.co.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ Soloski, Alexis (6 April 2021). "Laura Donnelly's Week: 'Dora the Explorer' and a Poetry Prescription". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ a b "Laura Donnelly Awards". imdb (Index source only). Retrieved 18 October 2023.
- ^ "Olivier Awards 2018". Olivier Awards. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "The Tony Award Nominations". www.tonyawards.com. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Olivier Awards 2024 with Mastercard nominations announced". Official London Theatre. Retrieved 19 March 2024.