Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy
Born (1962-12-08) 8 December 1962 (age 62)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
NationalityBritish
Occupation(s)Actress, Teacher
Years active1987–present
Children1

Katy Murphy (born 8 December 1962) is a British actress and teacher from Glasgow, Scotland, who has appeared in many television programs, most of them for the BBC and ITV. While most associated with television drama, she has worked across a variety of genres, including crime and children.

Early life

"Growing up in Glasgow’s east end housing scheme Cranhill, teaching was the plan," and Murphy studied at Glasgow University before discovering a love for the stage.[1] Her birth name is Margaret.

Career

Murphy rose to prominence after appearing as Janice Toner in Tutti Frutti (1987), starring Robbie Coltrane. It was written by John Byrne for BBC Scotland, and won six BAFTAs, bringing "many of the cast to national prominence."[1] She also appeared in Byrne's next series, Your Cheatin' Heart (1990), starring Tilda Swinton.

Other credits include Takin' Over the Asylum, written by Donna Franceschild, A Mug's Game (1996), Mike and Angelo, Spatz, B&B, The Steamie, The River, Casualty, and Agatha Christie's Poirot. She played the part of Jenny Wren in the BBC Two adaptation of Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend.

Among her later work is the distraught mother of a murdered girl in Prime Suspect (2006), and the 2008 drama series Honest. In 2018, Murphy again teamed up with Donna Franceschild to star in her short film Bridge, with Steven Duffy.[2] Her radio work includes the role of Janet in the Radio 4 series Adventures of a Black Bag.

Katy Murphy works part time as a teacher, with young children, including those with special needs, saying she loves it because "[it’s] so healthy. You’re looking outwards, rather than inwards."[1] When teaching, she uses the name Margaret, which is on her birth certificate.

Personal life

Murphy lives in North London's Crouch End, where she has owned a home since 1998, the year her daughter, Lola, was born.[3][1][4]

Theatre

Year Title Role Company Director Notes
1989 The Cherry Orchard Dunyasha Lyceum Theatre Company, Edinburgh Hugh Hodgart play by Anton Chekov, adapted by Stuart Paterson[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "How Tutti Frutti star took on her most challenging role... as a teacher". HeraldScotland. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  2. ^ "Bridge (Short 2018)". IMDb. Archived from the original on 13 April 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Katy is a lesson to all frustrated actors". Evening Times. 25 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Stripping off for was like going to TV cameras the dentist; SAYS KATY MURPHY". The Free Library. Scottish Daily Record. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  5. ^ review of The Cherry Orchard by Sarah Hemming, The list, Issue 90, 24 March - 6 April 1989, p. 22


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