Katie Brayben (born 3 September) is an English actress and musician who has performed in stage plays, television and musicals and also as a singer and songwriter with her own music. She is presently best known for her portrayal of the title role ofCarole King in the London production ofBeautiful: The Carole King Musical, for which she won theLaurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical at the2015 Laurence Olivier Awards. She won her second Olivier award in the same category at the2023 Laurence Olivier Awards for her performance as thetitle role inTammy Faye.
Brayben is an English actress, singer and musician who also performs as an original songwriter playing piano and guitar.[1][2] Born Katie Burke, her parents being London blues-based performers Mick (Mike) Burke and Frances (Fran) McGillivray, she was raised in a musical household in theLondon borough ofLewisham;[3] her sister Jo Burke is also a folk music performer (singer and violinist).[4] She studied at the Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2003.[1][5] In an interview, she has stated that she chose to use a different surname than her birth name for her professional career to avoid potential confusion with the already established London born actressKathy Burke.[6]
She made her West End debut when she took over the lead role of Sophie in the 10th anniversary production ofMamma Mia! and later starred oppositeMatt Smith in theAmerican Psycho musical. In 2014 she joined the production ofMike Bartlett'sKing Charles III playingPrincess Diana, and moved with the show when it transferred from the Almeida Theatre to the West End. In 2015 when that show moved to Broadway, she took on the title role ofCarole King in the London production ofBeautiful: The Carole King Musical.[7] Her performance won theLaurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.[8]
2022 saw Katie Brayben re-team withAmerican Psycho andKing Charles III directorRupert Goold at the Almeida for the new biographic stage musicalTammy Faye.[9] With Brayben in the title role of the queer icon, the show explored her life with lyrics byJake Shears and music bySir Elton John. The production would go on to receive four nominations at this year'sLaurence Olivier Awards,[10] where Katie would receive her secondLaurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.[10]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Vera | Sally | Episode - "Changing Tides" |
| 2017 | Doctor Who | Ellie | Episode - "Oxygen" |
| King Charles III | Diana, Princess of Wales | TV movie | |
| 2019 | Luther | Penny Leyton | 2 Episodes |
| A Serial Killer's Guide to Life | Lou Farnt | also Associate Producer | |
| 2021, 2025 | The Wheel of Time | Latra Posae Decume | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | Miss Scarlet and The Duke | Alice Lee | Episode - "Pandora's Box" |
| 2023 | Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | Lady Vivian Ledger | 2 episodes |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others | Lyric Hammersmith | |
| 2006-2007 | Mamma Mia! | Sophie | UK Tour |
| 2009 | Mamma Mia (10th Anniversary) | Sophie | West End |
| 2011 | Company | April | Southwark Playhouse |
| 2013–14 | American Psycho | Courtney Lawrence | Almeida Theatre |
| 2014 | King Charles III | Diana, Princess of Wales | Almeida Theatre / West End |
| 2015 | Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Carole King | Aldwych Theatre |
| 2015 | The Iliad | Almeida Theatre | |
| 2016 | My Mother Said I Never Should | Jackie | St. James Theatre |
| 2016 | The Spoils | Sarah | Trafalgar Studios |
| 2018 | Honour | Claudia | The Park Theatre |
| 2019 | Girl from the North Country | Elizabeth Laine | Gielgud Theatre |
| 2020 | Nine Lessons and Carols: stories for a long winter | Almeida Theatre | |
| 2022 | Tammy Faye | Tammy Faye | Almeida Theatre |
| 2024 | Palace Theatre | ||
| 2025-26 | Into the Woods | The Baker's Wife | Bridge Theatre |
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