Laura Donnelly

After graduating from drama school in 2004, Donnelly began her career with stage productions in Dublin and Edinburgh before moving into television work. She made her screen debut in the Channel 4 drama Sugar Rush in 2005 and subsequently appeared in Casualty, Hex, and Merlin. In 2009, she starred in the horror film Dread and had a supporting role in the BBC drama Best: His Mother's Son. She also appeared in productions at the Royal National Theatre, Royal Court Theatre and Bush Theatre. In 2012, she appeared opposite Hugh Jackman in the original Royal Court production of Jez Butterworth's The River. The production later transferred to Circle in the Square Theatre on Broadway, marking her Broadway debut.

In 2013, Donnelly portrayed Sarah Kay in the BBC crime drama The Fall. In 2013, she also appeared in the film Hello Carter. Beginning in 2014, she portrayed Jenny Fraser Murray in the Starz historical drama Outlander, appearing in the series from 2014 to 2017. She subsequently appeared in the ITV fantasy series Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands in 2016 and the Sky UK/Amazon Prime Video historical drama series Britannia. Her film credits during this period also included The Program (2015) and Tolkien (2019).

In 2017, Donnelly originated the role of Caitlin Carney in Jez Butterworth's The Ferryman at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Sam Mendes. Later that year, the production transferred to the Gielgud Theatre in the West End. Donnelly received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress and was nominated for the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress. In 2018, The Ferryman transferred to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on Broadway. The production won the Tony Award for Best Play, while Donnelly received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.

From 2021 to 2023, Donnelly starred as Amalia True in the HBO science-fiction drama The Nevers. The role earned her a nomination for the Critics' Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Science Fiction/Fantasy Series. In 2022, she appeared as Elsa Bloodstone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television special Werewolf by Night for Disney+.

In January 2024, Donnelly returned to the West End in Jez Butterworth's The Hills of California at the Harold Pinter Theatre, directed by Sam Mendes. She portrayed Veronica Webb and the adult Joan Webb, earning a second nomination for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress. The production subsequently transferred to the Broadhurst Theatre on Broadway. For her performance, Donnelly received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play, as well as a second nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.

Donnelly's television credits also include Sugar Rush (2005), Casualty, Hex, Merlin, The Fall (2013), Outlander (2014–2017), Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands (2016), Britannia, and The Nevers (2021–2023). Her film credits include Dread (2009), Hello Carter (2013), The Program (2015), Tolkien (2019), and Werewolf by Night (2022). In 2026, she starred as Charlotte in Season 2 of Apple's Sugar, alongside Colin Farrell.