Katy Murphy

Last updated

Katy Murphy
Born (1962-12-08) 8 December 1962 (age 62)
Occupation(s)Actress, Teacher
Years active1987–present
Children1

Katy Murphy (born 8 December 1962) is a British actress and teacher from Glasgow, Scotland, who has appeared in many television programs, most of them for the BBC and ITV. While most associated with television drama, she has worked across a variety of genres, including crime and children.

Contents

Early life

"Growing up in Glasgow’s east end housing scheme Cranhill, teaching was the plan," and Murphy studied at Glasgow University before discovering a love for the stage. [1] Her birth name is Margaret.

Career

Murphy rose to prominence after appearing as Janice Toner in Tutti Frutti (1987), starring Robbie Coltrane. It was written by John Byrne for BBC Scotland, and won six BAFTAs, bringing "many of the cast to national prominence." [1] She also appeared in Byrne's next series, Your Cheatin' Heart (1990), starring Tilda Swinton.

Other credits include Takin' Over the Asylum , written by Donna Franceschild, A Mug's Game (1996), Mike and Angelo , Spatz , B&B , The Steamie , The River , Casualty , and Agatha Christie's Poirot . She played the part of Jenny Wren in the BBC Two adaptation of Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend .

Among her later work is the distraught mother of a murdered girl in Prime Suspect (2006), and the 2008 drama series Honest . In 2018, Murphy again teamed up with Donna Franceschild to star in her short film Bridge, with Steven Duffy. [2] Her radio work includes the role of Janet in the Radio 4 series Adventures of a Black Bag .

Katy Murphy works part time as a teacher, with young children, including those with special needs, saying she loves it because "[it’s] so healthy. You’re looking outwards, rather than inwards." [1] When teaching, she uses the name Margaret, which is on her birth certificate.

Personal life

Murphy lives in North London's Crouch End, where she has owned a home since 1998, the year her daughter, Lola, was born. [3] [1] [4]

Theatre

YearTitleRoleCompanyDirectorNotes
1989 The Cherry Orchard Dunyasha Lyceum Theatre Company, EdinburghHugh Hodgartplay by Anton Chekov, adapted by Stuart Paterson [5]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
1995 Butterfly Kiss Judith
2004 Dear Frankie Miss MacKenzie
2008 The Cottage Farmer's Wife
2008 Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Miss Holt's Assistant
2010 Cemetery Junction Mrs Waring
2018BridgeWomanShort
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
1987 Tutti Frutti Janice TonerSeries 1 — 6 episodes
1988 The Play on One IshbelSeries 1, Episode 3: "Normal Service"
1988 Arena UsheretteSeries 13, Episode 17: "Byrne About Byrne"
1988 The River Sarah MacDonaldSeries 1 — 6 episodes
1988 The Steamie DoreenTelevision film
1989 Poirot AnnieSeries 1, Episode 1: "The Adventure of the Clapham Cook"
1990 Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit Mrs. VirtueMiniseries — 3 episodes
1990 Your Cheatin' Heart Billie McPhailMiniseries – 6 episodes
1991–1992 Spatz Fiona 'Freddy' ReddySeries 2–3 — 20 episodes
19914 PlayMaddieSeries 2, Episode 2: "'Itch"
1991 Casualty KathSeries 6, Episode 9: "Making the Break"
1992She-PlayBuntyEpisode: "Full Board"
1992B & BBillie GoldenTelevision film
1993 The Bill Jane CampbellSeries 9, Episode 1: "Dying Breed"
1993The Brown ManHilary PremingerTelevision film
1994 Roughnecks Check-In GirlSeries 1, Episode 1
1994 Takin' Over the Asylum FrancineMiniseries – 6 episodes
1994 Between the Lines Linda WatsonSeries 3, Episode 3: "A Face in the Crowd"
1995–2000 Mike and Angelo Katy AndrewsSeries 7–12 — 60 episodes
1995 Dangerfield Terri MorganSeries 2 — 11 episodes
1995 Roughnecks CathSeries 2 — 7 episodes
1996A Mug's GameDenise
1997 Rab C. Nesbitt D.S.S. AssistantSeries 6, Episode 1: "Fast"
1998 Our Mutual Friend Jenny WrenMiniseries — 3 episodes
1998Two LivesMaryEpisode: "Rose"
2000Nature BoySteve's NurseMiniseries — 1 episode
2000 Fish Angela DuncanSeries 1 — 6 episodes
2000Donovan QuickLucy PannickTelevision film
2001 Happiness MoiraSeries 1, Episode 6: "Forty"
2001 Holby City Laura SullivanSeries 3, Episode 27: "The Mourning After'
2002 The Bill Lorna BuchananSeries 18, Episode 35: "Sitting Tenants"
2002Me & Mrs JonesMichelleTelevision film
2003 Midsomer Murders HelenSeries 6, Episode 4: "A Tale of Two Hamlets"
2003The KeyKatherineMiniseries — 3 episodes
2003 Doctors Mrs. CoxSeries 5, Episode 154: "End of Innocence"
2006The Kindness of StrangersDr. SarahTelevision film
2006 Prime Suspect Ruth SturdySeries 7: "The Final Act" (Parts 1 & 2)
2008 Honest CaitlinSeries 1, Episode 2
2009No Holds BardSheila BuchananTelevision film
2009 Holby City Denise ForemanSeries 11, Episode 48: "Out of the Woods"
2011 Zen Sister AnnaSeries 1, Episode 3: "Ratking"
2011 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher Mrs. HolleyTelevision film: "The Murder at Road Hill House"
2021 Kangaroo Beach ShelleySeries 1, Episode 26: "Cadets in Charge"

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "How Tutti Frutti star took on her most challenging role... as a teacher". HeraldScotland. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  2. "Bridge (Short 2018)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  3. "Katy is a lesson to all frustrated actors". Evening Times. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  4. "Stripping off for was like going to TV cameras the dentist; SAYS KATY MURPHY". The Free Library. Scottish Daily Record. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  5. review of The Cherry Orchard by Sarah Hemming, The list, Issue 90, 24 March - 6 April 1989, p. 22