Laura Donnelly | |
|---|---|
 Donnelly in 2019 | |
| Born | (1982-06-24)24 June 1982 (age 43) Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Alma mater | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Partner | Jez Butterworth |
| Children | 2 |
Laura Donnelly (born 24 June 1982) is an actress fromNorthern Ireland. She studied at theRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland before her early roles on stage and screen. She is known for her collaborations with playwrightJez Butterworth acting inThe River (2012, 2015),The Ferryman (2017–2019) andThe Hills of California (2024). She is the recipient of aLaurence Olivier Award as well as a nomination for twoTony Awards.
On television, Donnelly is known for her roles in theStarz seriesOutlander (2014–2017), theITV seriesBeowulf (2016), and theHBO seriesThe Nevers (2021–2023).
Donnelly grew up inBelfast,Northern Ireland and had graduated from theRoyal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2004.[1]
Donnelly made her on-screen debut in 2005 in theChannel 4 dramaSugar Rush.[1] She is also known for her regular appearances inOutlander,[1] andBritannia,[1] and as a main character in the Irish filmInsatiable (2008).[1]
In 2013, Donnelly played a main role: that of Sarah Kay inThe Fall.[1]
In 2018, she won theLaurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance inThe Ferryman.[2] In 2019 she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress for the same role on Broadway.[3]
Donnelly had played a lead role as Amalia True inHBO'sThe Nevers (2021).[1]
Donnelly lives inLondon (2021) with her partnerJez Butterworth, and their two daughters.[4]
| 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 |
| 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] |
| Year | Title | Role | Playwright | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | A Boston Marriage | Catherine | B*Spoke/Project Theatre Dublin | ||
| 2007 | Dancing at Lughnasa | Chrissie | Brian Friel | Lyric Theatre Belfast | |
| 2008 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Hermia | William Shakespeare | Regent's Park Open Air Theatre | |
| Romeo & Juliet | Juliet | William Shakespeare | Regent's Park Open Air Theatre | [1] | |
| 2009 | Judgement Day | Anna | Christopher Hampton | Almeida Theatre, West End | [6] |
| 2012 | Philadelphia, Here I Come! | Katie Doogan | Brian Friel | Donmar Warehouse, West End | [7] |
| The River | Other Woman | Jez Butterworth | Royal Court Theatre, West End | [8] | |
| 2013 | Tutto Bene Mamma? | The Women | April De Angelis | The Print Room, London | [9] |
| 2014–2015 | The River | Other Woman | Jez Butterworth | Circle in the Square, Broadway | [10] |
| 2015 | The Wasp | Heather | Morgan Lloyd Malcolm | Trafalgar Studios, West End | [11] |
| 2017–2018 | The Ferryman | Caitlin Carney | Jez Butterworth | Royal Court Theatre /Gielgud Theatre | [12] |
| 2018–2019 | Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre,Broadway | [13] | |||
| 2024 | The Hills of California | Veronica / Joan | Harold Pinter Theatre, West End | [14] | |
| Broadhurst Theater, Broadway | [15] |
| 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] |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
