Laura Donnelly
Actress from Northern Ireland (born 1982)
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Laura Donnelly (born 24 June 1982) is an actress from Northern Ireland. She studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland before her early roles on stage and screen. She is known for her collaborations with playwright Jez Butterworth acting in The River (2012, 2015), The Ferryman (2017–2019) and The Hills of California (2024). She is the recipient of a Laurence Olivier Award as well as a nomination for two Tony Awards.
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 |
On television, Donnelly 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).
Early life and education
Donnelly grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland and graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2004.[1]
Career
Donnelly 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] Donnelly played a lead role as Amalia True in HBO's The Nevers (2021).[1]
Personal life
Donnelly lives in London (2021) with her partner Jez Butterworth, and their two daughters.[4]
Acting credits
Film
| 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
| 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 |
| 2024 | Say Nothing | Older Helen McConville | Miniseries; 3 episodes |
| TBA | The Dark | DI Monica Kennedy | Filming[5] |
Theatre
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Fright Meter Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Dread | Nominated | [16] |
| 2017 | Evening Standard Theatre Award | Best Actress | The Ferryman | Nominated | [3] |
| 2018 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Actress | Won | [17][2] | |
| 2019 | Tony Award | Best Actress in a Play | Nominated | [18] | |
| 2022 | Critics' Choice Super Awards | Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series | The Nevers | Nominated | [16] |
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Actress | The Hills of California | Nominated | [19] |
| 2025 | Tony Award | Best Actress in a Play | Nominated | [20] | |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play | Won | [21] | ||
| Dorian Awards | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play | Nominated | [22] | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play | Won | [23] | ||