# Laura Donnelly

Laura Donnelly (born 24 June 1982) is an actress from Northern Ireland. She is the recipient of a Laurence Olivier Award as well as a nomination for a Tony Award. On television, she 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.

## Career

She made her on-screen debut in 2005 in the Channel 4 drama Sugar Rush. She is also known for her regular appearances in Outlander, and Britannia, and as a main character in the Irish film Insatiable (2008).
In 2013, Donnelly played a main role: that of Sarah Kay in The Fall.
In 2018, she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance in The Ferryman. In 2019 she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress for the same role on Broadway.
She played a lead role as Amalia True in HBO's The Nevers (2021).

## Personal life

She lives in London (2021) with her partner Jez Butterworth, and their two daughters.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2008 | Insatiable | Rachel | Lead |
| 2009 | Dread | Abby | |
| 2009 | 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 |
| 2005 | Casualty | Fleur Butler | 7 episodes |
| 2005 | Hex | Maya Robertson | 4 episodes |
| 2006 | The Bill | Jody Macmillan | 1 episode |
| 2007 | Rough Diamond | Aoife | 1 episode |
| 2009 | Occupation | Katy Hibbs | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Merlin | Freya | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | 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 |

## Theatre

* The Hills of California, Veronica/Joan - Harold Pinter Theatre (director: Sam Mendes)
* The Ferryman, Caitlin Carney - Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre - Broadway (director: Sam Mendes)
* The Ferryman, Caitlin Carney - Royal Court Theatre / Gielgud Theatre (director: Sam Mendes)
* The Wasp, Heather - Trafalgar Studios (director: Tom Attenborough)
* The River, Other Woman - Circle In The Square - Broadway (director: Ian Rickson)
* Tutto Bene Mamma?, The Women - The Print Room (director: Ewan Marshall)
* The River, Other Woman - Royal Court Theatre (director: Ian Rickson)
* Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Katie Doogan - Donmar Warehouse (director: Lyndsey Turner)
* Judgement Day, Anna - Almeida (director: James McDonald)
* Romeo & Juliet, Juliet - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (director: Timothy Sheader)
* A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hermia - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (director: Dominic Leclerc)
* Dancing at Lughnasa, Chrissie - Lyric Theatre Belfast (director: Mick Gordon)
* A Boston Marriage, Catherine - B*Spoke/Project Theatre Dublin

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2010 | Fright Meter Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Dread | Nominated |
| 2017 | Evening Standard Theatre Award | Best Actress | The Ferryman | Nominated |
| 2018 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Actress | The Ferryman | Won |
| 2019 | Tony Award | Best Actress in a Play | The Ferryman | Nominated |
| 2022 | Critics' Choice Super Awards | Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series | The Nevers | Nominated |
| 2024 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Actress | The Hills of California | Nominated |