Kate Ashfield (born 28 May 1972) is an English actress, earlier known for her award-winning roles as Jody in the Anglo-German film Late Night Shopping, as Sadie MacGregor in the British film This Little Life and as Liz in the 2004 film, Shaun of the Dead.
Ashfield was born in Oldham, England. Educated at the King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, in Birmingham, she was one of the first girls to join the sixth form of King Edward VI Five Ways. She trained at Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance.
Career[]
She has appeared in many films, television and theatre productions. Her first film role came in 1994 as Ella in John Wells' film Princess Caraboo. One of Ashfield's first stage appearances was in the 1995 Royal Court Theatre production of Blasted by Sarah Kane[1] and in 1996 controversially appeared topless in Mark Ravenhill's Shopping and Fucking.[2]
She has performed in numerous plays associated with the In-yer-face theatre movement, including Blasted and Shopping and Fucking, and was invited to speak on the subject at the University of the West of England's 2002 In-Yer-Face?: British Drama in the 1990s conference.[3]
In 2009, she appeared in a short film "War School", raising awareness on the use of child soldiers. The film won the CTRL.ALT.SHIFT film competition, where the public were able to 'Take action' and buy a football, in which all proceeds went to the Coalition to Stop the use of Child Soldiers. She has featured in The Diary of Anne Frank and Collision.
In April 2011, she played Manchester United's club secretary, Alma George, in the BBC television drama, United which centred on the Munich air disaster.
Filmography[]
- Sanditon, (2019, TV drama) – Mary Parker[4]
- A Confession (2019, TV drama) – Yvonne Fulcher
- Unspeakable (2017, TV drama) – Sally
- Seat 25 (2017) – Narrator
- The House Sitter (2015, TV movie)
- Hangman (2015) – Beth Miller
- Secrets and Lies (2015, TV series) – Vanessa Richardson
- Midsomer Murders (2013) – Helen Caxton
- Believe (2013) – Helen
- Nymphomaniac (2013) – Therapist
- Byzantium (2012) – Gabi
- When the Lights Went Out (2012) – Jenny Maynard
- Line of Duty (series 1) (2012, TV series) – Jools Gates
- 7 Lives (2011) – Cynthia
- New Tricks (2011, TV series) – Hilary Newell
- Silent Witness (2011, TV drama) – Chief Inspector Rebecca Woods
- United (2011, TV drama) – Alma George
- Late Bloomers (2011) – Giulia
- Agatha Christie's Poirot (2010, TV adaptation of Agatha Christie novel Three Act Tragedy) – Muriel Wills
- Collision (2009, five part ITV drama) – Ann Stallwood
- The Diary of Anne Frank (2009, five-part BBC drama) – Miep Gies
- The Children (2008 three-part ITV drama) – Natasha
- Never Better (2008, TV series) – Anita Merchant
- The Baker (2007) – Rhiannon
- Talk to Me (2007, TV series) – Kelly
- Random Quest (2006, TV) – Ottilie/Kate
- Leave Before the Lights Come On Video – Arctic Monkeys (2006) – Suicidal Lady
- Tsunami: The Aftermath (2006, TV) – Ellen
- The Best Man (2005, TV – released as Unhitched on US DVD) – Becka
- Secret Smile (2005, TV) – Miranda
- Fakers (2004) – Eve Evans
- Spivs (2004) – Jenny
- Shaun of the Dead (2004) – Liz
- Beyond Borders (2003) – Kat
- Pollyanna (2003) – Nancy
- Killing Hitler (2003, TV) – Rachel
- This Little Life (2003, TV) – Sadie MacGregor
- The Trouble with Men and Women (2003, TV) – Susie
- Pure (2002) – Helen
- Crime and Punishment (2002, miniseries) – Dounia
- Late Night Shopping (2001) – Jody
- Storm Damage (2000, TV) – Kay
- Guest House Paradiso (1999) – Ms Hardy
- The War Zone (1999)
- Watership Down (1999, TV series) – Primrose (Series 1/2 only)
- Closer (1998, stage) – Alice
- Woyzeck (1997, stage) – Marie
- Shopping and Fucking (1996, stage) – Lulu
- Soldier Soldier (1996) – Cate Hobbs
- Blasted (1995, stage) – Cate
- Princess Caraboo (1994) – Ella