Fiona O'Shaughnessy

Fiona O'Shaughnessy
Born1979 (age 44–45)
Galway, Ireland
OccupationActress
Years active1999–present

Fiona O'Shaughnessy is an Irish film, stage, and television actress. She has appeared in Warlock III: The End of Innocence (1999), Goldfish Memory (2003), Alexander (2004), Until Death & Nightwatching (2007), Malice in Wonderland (2009), Outcast (2010), Utopia (2013-2015), Nina Forever (2015), The Living and The Dead (2017), Gretel & Hansel (2020), and Halo in 2022.

Early life

O'Shaughnessy was born in Galway, Ireland, her father was an information technology consultant,[1] and her mother is a seamstress.[2] Her family emigrated to Reading in England, when she was 9.[2] She returned to Galway a decade later where she pursued a career in theatre,[2] and at the age of 24 she moved to Dublin.[2] She dated Irish comedian David McSavage for a period of time in 2012.[2]

Career

Stage

O'Shaughnessy's first notable stage role was playing Salome for the Gate Theatre in Dublin.[3] Other stage work has included The Shaughraun for the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, which transferred to the West End's Albery Theatre in 2005.[4] In 2006 she appeared in the UK premiere of Blackwater Angel by Jim Nolan at the Finborough Theatre, London. Other work for the Gate Theatre includes Arms and the Man, Oliver,[4] The Importance of Being Earnest,[4] Pride and Prejudice,[4] Blythe Spirit,[2] Present Laughter (which toured in Charleston, South Carolina),[4] See You Next Tuesday,[4] and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.[2] She played Cate in the Irish debut of Sarah Kane's play Blasted.[4] Other theatre work includes playing Hilde Wangle in Lady from the Sea and Petra Stockman in Enemy of the People at the Arcola Theatre,[4] London, and Amy in 'The Night Alive' at The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.[4]

Film and television

Her film roles include Clara in Goldfish Memory,[2] The Halo Effect,[2] and The Stronger.[4]

From 2013, she starred in a main role as Jessica Hyde in the television series Utopia (2013-2015),[3] in a cast which included Adeel Akhtar, Neil Maskell, Alistair Petrie and James Fox.[3]

In 2015, she starred alongside David Troughton in the comedy romantic horror film Nina Forever, for which she received a nomination for best supporting actress at the 2017 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.[5][6]

In 2020, she played Mother in the witch horror Gretel & Hansel,[4] and appeared as Maisy Joyce in the 2021 film The Forgiven, with Ralph Fiennes, Jessica Chastain and Matt Smith.[4]

In 2022, she starred as Laera in the fantasy sci-fi series Halo.[4]

Filmography

Series

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Warlock III: The End of Innocence Kris' Friend
2000 Clubbing Femme Fatale Short film
2001 Freaky Deaky 10 to 1 Unknown Short film
2003 Goldfish Memory Clara
2004 Belonging Stephanie Television film
2004 The Halo Effect Suzie
2004 Alexander Nurse
2005 Still Life Woman Short film
2005 Malice Aforethought Florence Television film
2006 The Secret Language Máthair
2007 Until Death Lucy
2007 Nightwatching Marita
2009 Malice in Wonderland Hooker
2010 Outcast Niamh
2015 Nina Forever Nina Nominated - Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Supporting Actress[5]
2020 Gretel & Hansel Mother
2021 Don't Breathe 2 The Mother (Josephine)
2021 The Forgiven Maisy Joyce

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Trouble in Paradise Síofra McShane 2 episodes
2012 Vexed Sarah Stockwood Series:2 Episode:5
2013 Agatha Christie's Poirot Katrina Episode: "The Labours of Hercules"
2013–2014 Utopia Jessica Hyde 11 episodes
2015 The Dovekeepers Channa 2 episodes
2016 Musketeers Juliette 1 episode S3. E7. "Fool's Gold"
2017 The Living and The Dead Martha Enderby 2 episodes
2017 Striking Out Meg 10 episodes
2018 Finding Joy Silvia S1. E3. "Letting Go"
2022–2024 Halo Laera 10 episodes
2023 Foundation Dr. Tadj 1 episode

Audio

Year Title Role Company Notes
2017-2018 Tracks Rachel Turner BBC Radio 4 Main in series 2; guest in series 3

References

  1. ^ Gilbert, Gerard (2 August 2014). "Irish actress Fiona O'Shaughnessy discusses playing the role of Jessica Hyde in Utopia". belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Donal Lynch (2 January 2017). "'Striking Out' star Fiona O'Shaughnessy on her relationship with David McSavage: 'He let me love him a little bit anyway'". Independent.ie.
  3. ^ a b c Gerard Gilbert (18 July 2014). "Utopia star Fiona O'Shaughnessy: 'I don't like to watch too much". The Independent.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Fiona O'Shaughnessy credits". independenttalent.com. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Never mind Oscar, here's the 2017 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Nominees Ballot!". fangoria.com. 7 February 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017.
  6. ^ "SXSW 2015: First Teaser Trailer for Nina Forever". Dread Central. Retrieved 12 February 2016.