Kate Ashfield

Last updated

Kate Ashfield
Born (1972-05-28) 28 May 1972 (age 53)
Birmingham, England
Alma mater Rose Bruford College
OccupationsActress, comedian
Years active1994–present

Kate Ashfield (born 28 May 1972) is an English actress and screenwriter, who has appeared in stage, TV and film roles, most famously in her role as Liz in the 2004 zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead . She is the co-writer of the 2017 TV series Born to Kill . [1]

Contents

Early life

Ashfield was born in Birmingham, England. Her interest in acting started at an early age, and she later pursued her passion by studying drama at Rose Bruford College.

Career

Ashfield's acting profession began in the nineties. She appeared in numerous theatre, TV series and films, including Shaun of the Dead , Secrets & Lies and Sanditon. [2]

In 2004, Ashfield won the Best Actress award at the British Independent Film Awards for her role in the movie Late Night Shopping . She has also received awards for her performances in This Little Life , The Baker and Line of Duty . In addition to her acting on screen, Ashfield has appeared in several stage productions, including Blasted and Shopping and Fucking .

Ashfield appeared in the 2025 Christmas special of Death in Paradise, with Billy Harris, Josie Lawrence and Pearl Mackie. [3]

Filmography

Key
Denotes productions that have not yet been released

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1994 Princess Caraboo Ella
1999 The War Zone Lucy
Guest House Paradiso Mrs. Hardy
2000 Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry Carol
The Low DownRuby
2001 The Last Minute Janey
Late Night Shopping Jody
Please!MollyShort
SweetnightgoodheartJulietShort
2001FlyfishingHelen
Pure Helen
One MinuteKatieShort
2003PerfectRachelShort
CollusionSally Waterville
2004 Spivs Jenny
Fakers Eve Evans
Shaun of the Dead Liz
2005 The Best Man Becka
The Trouble with Men and Women Susie
2007 The Baker Rhiannon
2009War SchoolsMiss EvergreenShort
2010My BrothersKitty
The Kid Madeline
Behind the DoorJossShort
2011 United Alma George
Late Bloomers GiuliaIt was released in France as Trois fois 20 ans
7 Lives Cynthia
2012 Byzantium Gabi
When the Lights Went Out Jenny
2013 Nymphomaniac TherapistVol. II
Believe Helen
2014Counting BackwardsShort
Still Margaret
2015HangmanBeth
2017Seat 25Narrator (voice)
2019Suicide TouristFake Mother
RachelTeresaShort
2021 There's Always Hope Samantha
2023 Double Blind Helen Brady
Stockholm Bloodbath Birgitta

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995 Fist of Fun Jill Edmonds1 Episode
Prime Suspect Helper1 episode: "The Scent of Darkness"
1996 Soldier Soldier Cate Hobbs8 Episodes
SeedJulieTV Movie
No Bananas Sylvia1 Episode
1998A Many Splintered ThingElly JacksonTV Movie
1999 Watership Down Primrose (voice)7 Episodes
Love in the 21st CenturyKate1 episode
The ManKimTV Movie
2000 A Many Splintered Thing Elly Rawsthorne6 Episodes
Storm Damage KayTV Movie
2001Do or DieSamanthaTV Mini Series, 2 episodes
2002 Crime and Punishment Dunya2 episodes
2003 This Little Life Sadie MacGregorTV Movie
PollyannaNancyTV Movie
Killing Hitler RachelTV Movie
2005 Secret Smile Miranda CottonTV Mini Series:2 episodes
Perfect Day JennyTV Movie
2006 Tsunami: The Aftermath EllenTV Mini Series:2 episodes
Random Quest Ottilie Harsham / Kate Ottilie GaleTV Movie
2007 Talk to Me Kellyteacher4 episodes
2006The ChildrenNatashaTV Mini Series:3 episodes
10 Days to War Veronica PurkissTV Mini Series:1 episodes
Never Better Anita6 episodes
2009 Collision Inspector Ann StallwoodTV Mini Series:4 episodes
The Diary of Anne Frank Miep Gies TV Mini Series:5 episodes
2010 Poirot Miss Wills1 episode
2011 Silent Witness CI Rebecca Woods2 episodes
New Tricks Hilary Newell1 episode
Mystery! 1 episode
2012The Kidnap DiariesAnabel LanganTV Movie
Line of Duty Jools Gates5 episodes
2013 Midsomer Murders Helen Caxton1 episode
2015The House SitterSara LawrenceTV Movie
Secrets and Lies Vanessa Richardson/Vanessa Turner4 episodes
2017UnspeakableSallyTV Movie
2018 Sick of It Zoe1 episode
2019A ConfessionYvonne FulcherTV Mini Series:5 episodes
2020LifeRachelTV Mini Series:5 episodes
2019 His Dark Materials Atal (voice)4 episodes
2019–2023 Sanditon Mary Parker20 episodes
2023The ChatPipTV Mini Series
Bodies Elaine MorleyTV Mini Series:1 episode
2024 Moonflower Murders Joanne WebsterTV Mini Series:3 episodes
2025 Lazarus Detective Alison BrownTV Mini Series:6 episodes
2025 Death In Paradise Helen Dugdale1 Episode - Christmas Special

Awards and nominations

She has won three awards out of eight nominations:[ citation needed ]

References

  1. Ben Dowell (20 April 2017). "Shaun of the Dead star Kate Ashfield on why she has made her first TV drama about a teenage psychopath". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  2. "Interview with Sanditon's Mary Parker, Kate Ashfield".
  3. Hibbs, James. "Death in Paradise 2025 Christmas special releases first look | Radio Times". www.radiotimes.com. Retrieved 12 December 2025.