Kelly Macdonald Explained

Kelly Macdonald
Birth Date:23 February 1976
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:1996–present
Children:2

Kelly Macdonald (born 23 February 1976)[1] is a Scottish actress. Known for her performances on film and television, she has received various accolades including a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Macdonald made her film debut in Danny Boyle's Trainspotting (1996). Her notable film roles include in the acclaimed films Elizabeth (1998), Gosford Park (2001), Intermission (2003), and Nanny McPhee (2005). She received a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in the Coen brothers film No Country for Old Men (2007). She also appeared in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011), Anna Karenina (2012), T2 Trainspotting (2017), and Operation Mincemeat (2021). She voiced Princess Merida in the Disney Pixar animated film Brave (2012).

Also known for her television roles she received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her performance in the BBC One film The Girl in the Cafe (2005). From 2010 to 2014 she starred as Margaret Thompson in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire for which she received nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. Macdonald is also known for her roles in the Black Mirror episode "Hated in the Nation" (2016), and the limited series Giri/Haji (2019). In 2021, MacDonald joined the cast of Line of Duty.

Early life and education

Macdonald was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and grew up in Neilston. Her parents divorced when she was young. She was raised along with her brother David, by her mother, who was a garment industry sales executive. She attended Eastwood High School from 1989 to 1993.[2]

Career

Macdonald's career began while she was working as a barmaid in Glasgow.[3] She saw a leaflet advertising an open casting session for Trainspotting and decided to audition, winning the part of Diane,[4] the underage seductress to Ewan McGregor's Renton. Other roles include Mary O'Neary in Two Family House,[5] and an actress playing Peter Pan in Finding Neverland.[6] She had major roles in Robert Altman's British period piece Gosford Park,[7] where she played an aristocrat's maid, and in Intermission (2003), as Deirdre.[8]

On radio, she portrayed Mary in the 1999 BBC radio drama Lifehouse, based on Pete Townshend's abandoned rock opera, some of the songs for which were released on The Who's album Who's Next.[9] On television, her highest profile roles have been in two BBC dramas, the Paul Abbott serial State of Play (2003),[10] and the one-off Richard Curtis piece The Girl in the Café (2005).[11] Both of these were directed by David Yates, and both also starred Bill Nighy. For her performance in The Girl in the Café, she was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film in 2006,[12] and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie.[13]

Macdonald had a supporting role in the Coen brothers' Academy Award-winning film No Country for Old Men (2007), for which she was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.[14] It was reported that she had to fight her agent to be considered for the role, but Macdonald later denied the story.[15]

Other films where she had supporting roles include Choke (2008), adapted by Clark Gregg from the 2001 Chuck Palahniuk novel, as Paige Marshall; In the Electric Mist (2009) (based on James Lee Burke's In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead (1993), as Kelly Drummond, alongside Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman; and Skellig (2009), as Louise.[16] She played the lead in The Merry Gentleman (2008).[17]

In 2011, she played the "Grey Lady" (revealed to be Helena Ravenclaw) in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, the final instalment of the Harry Potter film franchise. She replaced Nina Young, who originally played the role. In 2012, she provided the voice of Merida, the heroine of the Disney/Pixar film Brave, and played Dolly in Anna Karenina. She starred in the romantic comedy film The Decoy Bride, which was released in 2012.[18]

From 2010 until its ending in 2014, she starred in the HBO crime drama Boardwalk Empire as Margaret Thompson, the wife of Prohibition-era Atlantic City crime boss Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi). She appeared in all five seasons of the series. In 2011, she and the rest of the show's cast were awarded the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. In 2016, she starred in Ricky Gervais' Special Correspondents as Claire Maddox,[19] and Swallows and Amazons as Mrs. Walker.[20] In 2016, she played the lead role in "Hated in the Nation", an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror for which she received critical acclaim. On 3 November 2016 Macdonald was featured in the trailer for Danny Boyle's T2 Trainspotting confirming she would reprise her role as Diane from the original film, which she did. In 2017, she co-starred opposite Benedict Cumberbatch in the BBC film The Child in Time. Macdonald played the guest lead in the sixth series of the BBC's police drama Line of Duty.[21]

Personal life

In August 2003, Macdonald married musician Dougie Payne, bassist of the band Travis. They have two sons. They moved back to their hometown of Glasgow in 2014, after living in London and New York City.[22] [23] They separated in 2017.[24]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996TrainspottingDiane CoulstonFilm debut
Dancing, Some DaysSharonShort film[25]
Stella Does TricksStella McGuire
1997Dead Eye DickWendyShort film
1998Cousin BetteHortense Hulot
ElizabethIsabel Knollys
1999SplendorMike
EntropyPia
The Loss of Sexual InnocenceSusan
My Life So FarElspeth Pettigrew
Tube TalesEmmaSegment: "Mr. Cool"
2000Two Family HouseMary O'Neary
House!Linda
Some VoicesLaura
2001Strictly SinatraIrene
Gosford ParkMary Maceachran
2003IntermissionDeirdre
2004Finding NeverlandPeter Pan
2005The Hitchhiker's Guide to the GalaxyReporter Jin Jenz
All the Invisible ChildrenJonathan's wifeSegment: "Jonathan"
Nanny McPheeEvangeline
LassieJeanie
A Cock and Bull StoryJenny
2007No Country for Old MenCarla Jean Moss
2008The Merry GentlemanKate Frazier
ChokePaige Marshall
2009In the Electric MistKelly Drummond
2011The Decoy BrideKatie Nic Aodh
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2Helena Ravenclaw
2012BravePrincess MeridaVoice
Anna KareninaDolly Oblonskaya
2016Special CorrespondentsClaire Maddox
Swallows and AmazonsMrs. Walker
The Journey Is the DestinationDuff
2017T2 TrainspottingDiane Coulston
Goodbye Christopher RobinOlive
2018PuzzleAgnes
Ralph Breaks the InternetPrincess MeridaVoice
Holmes & WatsonMrs. Hudson
2019Dirt MusicGeorgie Jutland
2021Operation MincemeatJean Leslie
2022I Came ByLizzie Nealey
Typist Artist Pirate KingSandra
TBDThe RadleysHelenPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996Flowers of the ForestAmy OgilvieTelevision film
2003Brush with FateAletta PietersTelevision film
State of PlayDella Smith6 episodes
2005AliasKiera MacLaine/Meghan KeeneEpisode: "Ice"
The Girl in the CaféGinaTelevision film
2009SkelligLouise/MumTelevision film
2010–2014Boardwalk EmpireMargaret Thompson45 episodes
2016Black MirrorDCI Karin ParkeEpisode: "Hated in the Nation"
2017The Child in TimeJulieTelevision film
2019The VictimAnna DeanTelevision miniseries
Giri/HajiDC Sarah WeitzmannMain role
Urban MythsPrincess MargaretEpisode: "Mick and Margaret"
2020Truth SeekersJojo742 episodes
2021Line of DutyDCI Joanne DavidsonMain role, Series 6
2022Ten PercentHerselfEpisode #1.1
TBA Department Q Dr Rachel IrvingFilming [26]

Video games

Awards and nominations

YearNominated workAwardCategoryResult
1997TrainspottingBAFTA Scotland AwardsBest Film Actress
2000Two Family HouseIndependent Spirit AwardsBest Female Lead
2002Gosford ParkOnline Film Critics SocietyBest Cast
Phoenix Film Critics SocietyBest Acting Ensemble
Satellite AwardsBest Cast – Motion Picture
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Critics' Choice Movie AwardsBest Acting Ensemble
Florida Film Critics CircleBest Ensemble Cast
2003Empire AwardsBest British Actress
2006The Girl in the CaféPrimetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Golden Globe AwardsBest Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film
2008ChokeSundance Film FestivalSpecial Jury Prize for Best Dramatic Ensemble Cast
No Country for Old MenOnline Film Critics SocietyBest Supporting Actress
British Academy Film AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting Role
London Film Critics' CircleSupporting Actress of the Year
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2011Boardwalk EmpireGolden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
2012Golden Globe AwardsBest Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
BraveAnnie AwardsOutstanding Voice Acting in a Feature Production
2017Goodbye Christopher RobinBritish Independent Film AwardsBest Supporting Actress
2019The VictimBritish Academy Scotland AwardsBest Actress Television
2021Line of Duty
Audience Award

Honours

Eastwood High School, where she was a pupil, has a drama studio and theatre named in her honour.[2]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: . 2016-02-23 . Birthdays: Feb. 23 . . Actress Kelly Macdonald is 40. .
  2. News: Star Kelly stages a comeback at school . Vivienne . Nicoll . . 28 November 2013 . 11 March 2018 . 11 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180311141658/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/13268595.Star_Kelly_stages_a_comeback_at_school/ . live .
  3. Web site: Cinema's best-kept secret. London, UK. The Guardian. Carole. Cadwallader. 5 April 2009. 12 December 2016. 12 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170112073959/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/apr/05/kelly-macdonald-interview-martin-scorsese. live.
  4. Web site: Trainspotting. DVDMG. 26 August 2010. 21 October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101021005139/http://www.dvdmg.com/trainspotting.shtml. live.
  5. Web site: Two Family House. Spirituality and Practice. 26 August 2010. 3 December 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101203094339/http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/films.php?id=2399. live.
  6. Web site: Finding Neverland . . 26 August 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120226232308/http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/f/Finding-Neverland/cast-credits-47078.html . 26 February 2012 .
  7. Web site: Gosford Park. TV Guide. 26 August 2010. 17 October 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131017213948/http://movies.tvguide.com/gosford-park/cast/135545. dead.
  8. Web site: Intermission. https://web.archive.org/web/20050920161359/http://worldfilm.about.com/cs/irishfilms/fr/intermission.htm. dead. 20 September 2005. About.com. 28 August 2010.
  9. Credits from the cassette release from the BBC Radio Collection
  10. Web site: State of Play. BBC. 26 August 2010. 20 August 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100820105500/http://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/stateofplay/. live.
  11. Web site: Girl in the Café. Qwipster. 26 August 2010. 12 June 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100612140711/http://qwipster.net/girlcafe.htm. live.
  12. Web site: 2006 Golden Globe. About.com. 26 August 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110113042635/http://tvdramas.about.com/od/tvshowsaz/a/goldglobe2006.htm. 13 January 2011.
  13. Web site: Scots star wins Emmy for TV role. BBC News. 26 August 2010. 28 August 2006. 4 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150204101650/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/5292128.stm. live.
  14. Web site: 2008 baftas . . 26 August 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100922161012/http://bafta.org/awards/film/film-awards-nominees-in-2008%2C224%2CBA.html . 22 September 2010 .
  15. Web site: Kelly Macdonald: 'Never mind hangovers on the Trainspotting set, people were still drunk' . The Guardian . 24 September 2017 . 25 September 2017 . 25 September 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170925225842/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/sep/24/kelly-macdonald-people-were-still-drunk-on-the-trainspotting-set?CMP=fb_gu . live .
  16. News: Kelly MacDonald's 'comeback' with Skellig. The Times. 26 August 2010. London, UK. Benji. Wilson. 11 April 2009. 15 June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110615142908/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article6058980.ece. live.
  17. Web site: the merry gentleman. Cinematical. 26 August 2010. 23 June 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080623073826/http://www.cinematical.com/2008/01/22/sundance-review-the-merry-gentleman/. live.
  18. Web site: Tennant, MacDonald, Eve walk down the aisle with "Decoy Bride". ScreenDaily. Geoffrey. Macnab. 14 May 2010. 30 April 2011. 19 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120119052617/http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/tennant-macdonald-eve-walk-down-the-aisle-with-decoy-bride/5013816.article. live.
  19. Web site: 'Boardwalk Empire's' Kelly Macdonald Joins Ricky Gervais' Netflix Movie 'Special Correspondents' (Exclusive). TheWrap. Jeff. Sneider. 30 May 2015. 17 April 2020. 15 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200315024810/https://www.thewrap.com/boardwalk-empires-kelly-macdonald-joins-ricky-gervais-netflix-movie-special-correspondents-exclusive/. live.
  20. Web site: 'Sherlock's' Moriarty, Andrew Scott, Joins Cast of 'Swallows and Amazons' (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Barraclough. Leo. 29 June 2015. 1 July 2015. 30 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150630113248/http://variety.com/2015/film/global/sherlocks-moriarty-andrew-scott-joins-swallows-and-amazons-cast-exclusive-1201530153/. live.
  21. Web site: Line of Duty: Who is Kelly Macdonald playing? . 2020-06-05 . Radio Times . en . 5 June 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200605230411/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-11-19/line-of-duty-kelly-macdonald/ . live .
  22. Web site: Actress Kelly Macdonald to pocket £500,000 from sale of plush New York apartment. Independent.co.uk. 8 September 2014. 2 September 2017. 20 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170820160755/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/kelly-macdonald-glasgow-girl-made-good-9716993.html. live.
  23. Web site: My London: Kelly Macdonald. Evening Standard. 12 April 2012. 5 April 2018. 20 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170920045745/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/my-london-kelly-macdonald-6319109.html. live.
  24. Actress Kelly Macdonald, Travis Bassist Douglas Payne Have Separated . Billboard . 2017-09-19.
  25. Web site: Full record for 'DANCING, SOME DAYS' (7290). movingimage.nls.uk. 15 December 2021. 1 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211201065345/https://movingimage.nls.uk/film/7290. live.
  26. Web site: Collider. 6 February 2024. 6 February 2024. Matthew Goode Leads Netflix's Gritty New Crime Drama 'Department Q'. Ryan. O'Rourke.