Donohoe later moved to the United States, where she appeared in films and in television series, which included winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress during her two years (1990–1992) as C.J. Lamb on the NBC drama series L.A. Law. She also appeared in the series Frasier in the episode "Call Me Irresponsible". Other television roles include Natasha Wylde on the British soap opera Emmerdale (2009–2010). She has had numerous stage roles, including Yelena in a 1996 Broadway production of Uncle Vanya.
Early life
Donohoe was born in London, to Ted and Joanna Donohoe. She has an older sister, Cordelia. She is of Irish, Russian and Swiss ancestry.[2] Her father worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which led to her family moving a great deal, with a base in London but also living for periods overseas. After her father's retirement, he joined her mother in her antiques-dealing business.
Donohoe was educated at the Francis Holland School. When 15 years old, she met Adam Ant and a year later, she left her parents' home and moved in with Ant in Notting Hill. In October 1980, she accompanied Ant to the recording of the Top of the Pops performance of "Dog Eat Dog." Afterwards, in an incident in the BBC corridors, she personally stepped in to physically defend Ant from an assault by rival band 4" Be 2" [3] which was also on the premises.[4]
In 1981, Donohoe appeared in the promotional videos for the songs "Antmusic" and "Stand and Deliver" by Adam and the Ants, which were screened on TV when the band was at the height of its fame. Shortly before the band began its 1981 world tour, Donohoe was offered a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama; she left Ant.
After moving to Los Angeles in 1990, Donohoe made her debut on television in the role of lawyer Cara Jean "C.J." Lamb on the American television series L.A. Law in which she appeared during the fifth and sixth seasons of the series. In February 1991, she took part in the first of the so-called "lesbian kiss episodes" on American television when her character privately kissed fellow lawyer Abby Perkins, played by Michele Greene.[5] Some of her other television roles include Bad Girls and a guest appearance in Ally McBeal. She had a major supporting role in the comedy film Liar Liar (1997), starring Jim Carrey.
Donohoe made her Broadway debut in a 1995 production of Uncle Vanya, at the Circle in the Square Theatre.[6] She returned to the UK to play Mrs. Robinson in a 2001 stage production of The Graduate.[2] In 2002, she attended the gala opening party for Le Touessrok Hotel in Mauritius.[7]
After moving back to the UK in the early 2000s, Donohoe took the role of DI Susan Alembic in the crime drama Murder City (2004–2006). In 2009 she joined the cast of ITV soap opera Emmerdale as businesswoman Natasha Wylde. Donohoe played the character until leaving the series in November 2010. On 18 and 19 February 2010, she was a guest panelist on Loose Women. She has also lent her voice to the Activision PC video game Santa Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder as Karen Gordon.
Personal life
A socialist and feminist,[8] Donohoe said in a Q&A with The Guardian in 2001 that she was categorically opposed to the death penalty, supported the monarchy, and would vote for the Labour Party in the general election of that year. Donohoe considered smoking cigarettes to be her most unappealing habit, and said she cooked and drank good red wine to relax.[9]
