Michelle Fairley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michelle Fairley
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Fairley in 2012
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Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1986–present |
Michelle Fairley is a talented actress from Northern Ireland. She is widely known for her role as Catelyn Stark in the popular HBO TV series Game of Thrones. She played this important character from 2011 to 2013.
After Game of Thrones, Michelle appeared in several other TV shows. These include Suits (2013), 24: Live Another Day (2014), and the miniseries Rebellion (2016). She also starred in the science fiction series The Feed (2019) and the crime drama Gangs of London (2020–present).
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Early Life and Beginnings
Michelle Fairley was born in Coleraine, a town in Northern Ireland. She grew up with five siblings. Her father, Brian Fairley, owned a well-known pub called Fairley's Bar. Even during a difficult time in Northern Ireland's history called The Troubles, people from both Catholic and Protestant backgrounds felt welcome at her father's pub.
Michelle Fairley's Acting Career
Michelle Fairley has appeared in many British television shows. Some of her early roles were in popular series like The Bill, Holby City, and Casualty. She also had parts in Inspector Morse and Lovejoy.
A big moment in her career was joining the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films. She played Mrs. Granger, Hermione's mother.
Becoming Catelyn Stark
From 2011 to 2013, Michelle Fairley became famous for her role as Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones. This fantasy series was a huge hit worldwide. She took over the role from another actress, Jennifer Ehle, who was in the first pilot episode.
Other Notable TV and Film Roles
After Game of Thrones, Michelle joined the cast of the USA Network series Suits. She played Dr. Ava Hessington, a powerful oil CEO. She also played Margot Al-Harazi in 24: Live Another Day on Fox.
Her film work includes The Invisible Woman (2013) and In the Heart of the Sea (2015). In 2014, she was cast as Margaret Langston in the ABC TV series Resurrection.
Recent Projects and Theatre Work
In 2017, Michelle Fairley returned to the stage in a play called Road at the Royal Court Theatre. In 2018, she played Cassius in a production of Julius Caesar.
In 2019, she starred as Meredith Hatfield in the science fiction series The Feed. Since 2020, she has been playing Marian Wallace in the crime drama Gangs of London. In 2023, she played Princess Augusta in the Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.
Michelle has always loved theatre. She feels that her best work happens on stage. She started her career in theatre and hopes to continue performing there.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Hidden Agenda | Teresa Doyle | |
| 1998 | A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries | Miss O'Shaunessy | |
| Suffering | Patricia | ||
| 2000 | The Second Death | Aisling | Short film |
| 2001 | The Others | Mrs. Marlish | |
| 2002 | Shearing | Yvonne | Short film |
| 2010 | Cup Cake | Annie McNabb | |
| The Duel | Marya | ||
| Chatroom | Rosie | ||
| Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 | Mrs. Granger | ||
| 2013 | The Invisible Woman | Caroline Graves | |
| Philomena | Sally Mitchell | ||
| Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart | Brigitte Helm | Voice only | |
| 2014 | Ironclad: Battle for Blood | Joan De Vesci | |
| Montana | DCI Rachel Jones | ||
| I Am Here | Mother | Short film | |
| Common | Shelagh | TV movie | |
| 2015 | In the Heart of the Sea | Mrs. Nickerson | |
| 2016 | Edith | Sheila | Short film |
| 2019 | The Trap | Michelle | Short film |
| Responsible Child | Kerry | TV movie | |
| 2021 | Nobody Has to Know | Millie MacPherson | |
| 2022 | An Irish Goodbye | Grainne | Short film |
| 2024 | Small Things like These | Mrs. Wilson |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Saracen | Maeve | Episode: "Starcross" |
| 1990 | 4 Play | Maureen | Episode: "Valentine Falls" |
| Theatre Night | Ruth | Episode: "Pentecost" | |
| 1991 | Children of the North | Kate | Episodes: "The Killing of Yesterday's Children", "City of Maloch" |
| Casualty | Kathy Emerick | Episode: "Judgement Day" | |
| 1992 | Lovejoy | Nancy Phelan | Episode: "Smoke Your Nose" |
| Screenplay | Jenny | Episode: "Force of Duty" | |
| Screen Two | Sharon | Episode: "Flea Bites" | |
| 1993 | Fiona Gibbons | Episode: "The Long Roads" | |
| Casualty | Kate Maguire | Episode: "No Place to Hide" | |
| Comics | Nula O'Reilly | TV film | |
| 1994 | Cardiac Arrest | Karen Teller | Episodes: "You Can't Make an Omelette Without Breaking Legs", "The Edge" |
| 1995 | Life After Life | Roisin Donaghy | Television film |
| The Bill | Beth Spence | Episode: "No Choice" | |
| Inspector Morse | Cathy Michaels | Episode: "The Way Through the Woods" | |
| 1996 | A Mug's Game | Kathy Cowan | Television film |
| Safe and Sound | Eleanor Delaney | Main role | |
| The Precious Blood | Jean McBride | Television film | |
| 1997 | The Broker's Man | Gabby Rodwell | Main role |
| The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling | Mrs. Harriet Fitzpatrick | TV m | |
| 1999 | Births, Marriages and Deaths | Pat | Main role |
| Vicious Circle | Frances | Television film | |
| 2000 | McCready and Daughter | Bernadette | |
| 2001 | In Deep | Eva / Phoebe | 2 episodes |
| Rebus | Janice Mee | ||
| 2003 | Holby City | Heidi Drury | Episode: "Keep It in the Family" |
| The Clinic | Shirley | 1 episode | |
| 2005 | Ahead of the Class | Sonia Venning | Television film |
| The Golden Hour | Julia Harper | 1 episode | |
| 2006 | The Catherine Tate Show | Rosemary | Episode: "Mum, I'm Gay" |
| Strictly Confidential | Carol Machin | 1 episode | |
| 2007 | Trial & Retribution | Mrs. Jenkins | Episode: "Mirror Image: Part 1" |
| 2009 | A Short Stay in Switzerland | Mrs. Savery | TV film |
| Lark Rise to Candleford | Mrs. Elizabeth Patterson | Episode: "2.10" | |
| Best: His Mother's Son | Ann Best | TV film | |
| Taggart | Joan Revie | Episode: "So Long Baby" | |
| Misfits | Louise Young | 2 episodes | |
| 2010 | Midsomer Murders | Iris Holman | Episode: "The Noble Art" |
| 2011 | Silent Witness | DI Suzy Harte | Episodes: "First Casualty: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 2011–2013 | Game of Thrones | Catelyn Stark | Main role; 25 episodes (seasons 1–3) |
| 2012 | Coming Up | Jen | Episode: "Colour" |
| 2013 | Suits | Ava Hessington | Recurring role (8 episodes) |
| 2014 | 24: Live Another Day | Margot Al-Harazi | Recurring role (8 episodes) |
| Common | Shelagh | TV film | |
| Resurrection: A Second Chance | Margaret Langston | ||
| 2014–2015 | Resurrection | Margaret Langston | Recurring role (13 episodes) |
| 2015 | The Lizzie Borden Chronicles | Aideen Trotwood | Episode: "Capsize" |
| Crossing Lines | Sophie Baines | Recurring role (Season 3) | |
| 2016 | Rebellion | Dolly Butler | Season 1 |
| 2017 | Fortitude | Freya Lennox | Recurring role (Season 2) |
| The White Princess | Margaret Beaufort | Main Role | |
| Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero | Queen Igneous (voice) | Episode: "Rockullan, Papyron, Scissorian" | |
| 2019 | The Feed | Meredith Hatfield | Main role |
| 2020–present | Gangs of London | Marian Wallace | |
| 2023 | Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story | Princess Augusta | |
| 2023 | The Gone | Hannah |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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| 1993 | Oleanna | Carol | Royal Court Theatre |
| 1998 | Never Land | Elisabeth | Royal Court Theatre |
| 1999 | The Weir | Valerie | Walter Kerr Theatre |
| 2003 | Scenes from the Big Picture | Helen Woods | National Theatre |
| Loyal Women | Brenda | Royal Court Theatre | |
| 2004 | Ashes to Ashes | Rebecca | Lyric Theatre |
| 2006 | The Wild Duck | Gina | Donmar Warehouse |
| Gates of Gold | Alma | Trafalgar Studios | |
| 2007 | Othello | Emilia | Donmar Warehouse |
| Macbeth | Lady Macbeth | West Yorkshire Playhouse | |
| 2009 | Dancing at Lughnasa | Kate | Old Vic |
| 2010 | Greta Garbo Came to Donegal | Paulie Hennessy | Tricycle Theatre |
| 2011 | Remembrance Day | Sveta | Royal Court Theatre |
| 2015 | Splendour | Genevieve | Donmar Warehouse |
| 2017 | Road | Helen/Marion/Brenda | Royal Court Theatre |
| 2018 | Julius Caesar | Cassius | Bridge Theatre |
Awards and Nominations
Michelle Fairley has received several awards and nominations for her acting.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
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| 2008 | Olivier Awards | Best Performance in a Supporting Role |
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Nominated |
| 2011 | Irish Film & Television Award | Best Actress - Television | Game of Thrones | Nominated |
| Scream Award | Best Ensemble | Nominated | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Irish Film & Television Award | Best Actress - Television | Won | |
| Saturn Award | Best Supporting Actress on Television | Nominated | ||
| Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | Irish Film & Television Award | Best Supporting Actress - Television |
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Nominated |
| 2019 | Clarence Derwent Award | Best Female in a Supporting Role |
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Won |
| WhatsOnStage Award | Best Supporting Actress in a Play | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | Chicago International Film Festival | Best Actress |
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Won |
See also
In Spanish: Michelle Fairley para niños
