Laura Donnelly

2004–2012: Early screen and stage work

After graduating from drama school in 2004, Donnelly began her career with stage productions in Dublin, Republic of Ireland and Edinburgh, Scotland before moving into television work in the mid-2000s.^[18][19] She made her screen debut in the Channel 4 drama Sugar Rush in 2005 and subsequently appeared in series including Casualty, Hex, and Merlin. In 2009 she starred in the horror film Dread, followed by a supporting role in the BBC drama Best: His Mother's Son, based on the life of footballer George Best.^[20] During this period she also continued to work extensively in theatre, appearing in productions at the Royal National Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, and Bush Theatre. In 2012 Donnelly appeared opposite Hugh Jackman in the original Royal Court production of Jez Butterworth's The River. The production later transferred to the Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway, marking her Broadway debut.^[21]

2013–2019: The Fall, Outlander, and The Ferryman

In 2013 Donnelly portrayed Sarah Kay in the BBC crime drama The Fall, starring opposite Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan.^[22] The following year she began appearing as Jenny Fraser Murray in the Starz historical drama Outlander, a role which brought her international recognition.^[23] She later appeared in the ITV fantasy series Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands and the Sky UK/Amazon Prime Video historical drama series Britannia.^[24][25] In 2017, Donnelly originated the role of Caitlin Carney in Jez Butterworth's The Ferryman at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Sam Mendes.^[26] Inspired in part by the disappearance and killing of Donnelly's uncle during The Troubles, the play became the fastest-selling production in the Royal Court's history.^[27]Later that year, the production transferred to the Gielgud Theatre on the West End, earning Donnelly the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress, as well as a nomination for the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress.^[28][29] In 2018, The Ferryman transferred to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway. The production won the Tony Award for Best Play, while Donnelly was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.^[30]

2020–present: The Nevers and continued stage work

From 2021 to 2023, Donnelly starred as Amalia True in the HBO science-fiction drama The Nevers, created by Joss Whedon. Her performance received critical acclaim, as well as a nomination for the Critics' Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series.^[31] In 2022 she appeared as Elsa Bloodstone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television special Werewolf by Night for Disney+.^[32] In January of 2024, Donnelly returned to the West End in Jez Butterworth's The Hills of California at the Harold Pinter Theatre, directed by Sam Mendes. In the production she portrayed both Veronica Webb and the adult Joan Webb, earning a second nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress.^[33] The production subsequently transferred to the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway. Donnelley's performance received wide-spread acclaim, earning both the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play, as well as a second nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.

Film

Television

Theatre