Jessica Ellerby Explained

Birth Name:Jessica Anne Ellerby
Birth Place:Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Alma Mater:Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
Years Active:2008–present

Jessica Anne Ellerby (born 1986) is an Emirati-born English actress and filmmaker. She began her career in theatre. On television, she is known for her roles in the Netflix sitcom Lovesick (2014–2016), series 8 of Benidorm (2016) on ITV, and the Epix series Pennyworth (2019–2021).

Early life

Ellerby was born and raised in Dubai to English parents. She attended Dubai College.[1] At 17,[2] Ellerby returned to England for her A Levels.[3] She went on to graduate from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.[4]

Career

After graduating from drama school, Ellerby made her professional stage debut in Triptych at Southwark Playhouse in 2008. In 2010, she made her West End debut in Dreamboats and Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre.

After making her feature film debut with a background role in the 2010 comedy Get Him to the Greek, Ellerby had her first starring role as Lynne in the 2011 indie horror film Hollow. In 2012, Ellerby returned to the West End in Trevor Nunn's production of A Chorus of Disapproval at the Harold Pinter Theatre. She then appeared in the 2013 film Svengali as Alice.

From 2014 to 2016, Ellerby had a recurring role in the first two series of the Netflix sitcom Lovesick as Jane Ansell, Dylan's (Johnny Flynn) love interest.[5] In 2015, Ellerby appeared in the music video for Noel Gallagher's song "Ballad of the Mighty". In 2016, Ellerby joined the main cast of the long-running ITV sitcom Benidorm for its eighth series as Amber Platt.

Ellerby wrote and directed the 2018 short film The Hungry Games.[6]

Ellerby played Stacee in the second series of the Sky One comedy-drama Living the Dream, which aired in 2019.[7] Also in 2019, Ellerby portrayed a young Queen Elizabeth II in the DC Universe series Pennyworth on Epix. She reprised her recurring role as the Queen in Pennyworths second season.[8]

Personal life

Ellerby lives in London.[9] She married actor Nick Hendrix in July 2017.[10] In addition to acting, Ellerby runs a yoga studio.[11]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010Get Him to the GreekClub Girl
2011HollowLynne
2013SvengaliAlice
2015The PitchCarolShort film
2016The Five Wives & Lives of Melvyn PfferbergScarlettShort film
2018The Hungry GamesAnnaShort film; directed
2019This Time AwayLouiseShort film
Dirty Rotten LiarsSashaShort film
2023Making UpCassShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009The BillStacey HayesEpisode: "Growing Pains"
2013By Any MeansKaren Mason1 episode
2014EndeavourDiana DayEpisode: "Trove"
Cardinal BurnsVarious1 episode
2014–2016LovesickJane Ansell4 episodes
2015Inside No. 9ZaraAnthology, episode: "The 12 Days of Christine"
SunTrapWaitressEpisode: "The Usual Suspects"
The Red DressCandiceTelevision film
2016BenidormAmber PlattMain role (series 8, 7 episodes)
In the ClubMolly3 episodes
Hoff the RecordRebeccaEpisode: "Finance"
2019Living the DreamStacee5 episodes
2019–2021PennyworthQueen Elizabeth II13 episodes
2021Midsomer MurdersCaitlin DawsonEpisode: "Scarecrow Murders"

Video games

Stage

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008TriptychBrandySouthwark Playhouse, London
Word:Play 2Theatre503, London
2009Oorah!Finborough Theatre, London
Dick WhittingtonAlice FitzwarrenThe Theatre Chipping Norton
2010Dreamboats and PetticoatsDonnaPlayhouse Theatre, London
2011Fanta OrangeRonnieFinborough Theatre, London[12]
2012A Chorus of DisapprovalLinda WashbrookHarold Pinter Theatre, London

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Music of the heart. Gulf News. Shipra. Chaudhury. 21 June 2001. 22 July 2023.
  2. Actress Jessica Ellerby gets royal for her Queen Elizabeth role in "Pennyworth". The Untitled. 25 September 2019. 23 March 2023.
  3. Jessica Ellerby [Pennyworth]]. A Book of Magazine. 17 September 2019. 22 July 2023.
  4. Jessica Ellerby – Living the dream. Essence. November 2018. 23 March 2023.
  5. Exclusive: Lovesick actor reveals whether we'll ever see the show again. Digital Spy. Abby. Robinson. 5 November 2019. 22 July 2023.
  6. Interview with Jessica Ellerby: On the New Wave of Female Leading Roles. The Italian Rêve. 16 January 2019. 22 July 2023.
  7. Web site: Jessica Ellerby on her love for directing and playing 'someone nice for once' on 'Living the Dream'. MEAWW. Alakananda. Bandyopadhyay. 21 January 2019. 22 July 2023.
  8. 'Pennyworth': Emma Paetz & Jessica Ellerby Cast In Epix's Batman Prequel Series. Deadline. Denise. Petski. 20 March 2019. 20 March 2019.
  9. My London: Jessica Ellerby – Actress. LDN Fashion. 8 March 2021. 22 July 2023.
  10. Web site: Midsomer Murders star Nick Hendrix on working with his real-life wife: 'It was great to have her on set'. What to Watch. Steven. Perkins. 29 May 2022. 22 July 2023.
  11. Web site: Jessica Ellerby Stewart Yoga. Jyoga. 22 July 2023.
  12. Web site: Fanta Orange. Finborough Theatre. 18 August 2023.