Vicky McClure

MBE
McClure in March 2014
Born (1983-05-08) 8 May 1983 (age 40)
Nottingham, England
Occupation(s)Actress, model and presenter
Years active1999–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2023)​

Vicky Lee McClure MBE (born 8 May 1983) is an English actress, model and presenter. She is known for her roles as Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in the BBC series Line of Duty (2012–2021) and Lol Jenkins in Shane Meadows' film This Is England (2006) and its Channel 4 sequel mini-series This Is England '86 (2010), This Is England '88 (2011), and This Is England '90 (2015).[1] Before This is England, she appeared in another of Meadows' films, A Room for Romeo Brass (1999), where she played Ladine. She won the RTS Award and British Academy Television Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Lol in This is England '86 in 2011.

McClure is also well known for her role as Karen White in ITV's Broadchurch, and other roles such as in Filth and Wisdom (2008), Hummingbird (2013), Svengali (2013), and The Replacement (2017).

Early life

Vicky Lee McClure was born on 8 May 1983 in the Wollaton area of Nottingham.[1] Her father was a joiner and her mother was a hairdresser. She has an elder sister, Jenny. McClure was educated at Fernwood School. From the age of three she took dance lessons, and auditioned for the Central Junior Television Workshop when she was 11. Unsuccessful on her first attempt, she was recalled a week later after another child dropped out.[2] While there, she was coached and mentored by fellow Nottingham-born actress Samantha Morton. McClure successfully auditioned for entry to the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts aged 16, but her family could not afford the tuition fees, and she remained at the Workshop.[2]

Career

Television and film

At 15, she was asked to audition for a part in Shane Meadows's independent film A Room for Romeo Brass.[3] The youngest to audition, she was called back, and gained the role of Ladine Brass. She secured an agent, but achieved no parts for four years. After starting a drama foundation course at the local college on leaving school, she left to work in retail, initially for H. Samuel and then Dorothy Perkins. Aged 19 she gave up her acting ambitions for 12 months, but then took a part-time office job in Nottingham to allow her to audition for parts, mostly in London.[2]

After an 18-month period of taking walk-on parts in soaps and daytime TV, McClure then worked on the This is England film and mini-series from 2006 until 2015, portraying the role of Lorraine "Lol" Jenkins. In an April 2007 interview with Time Out, McClure spoke of Meadows approaching her for the role while she was in a pub with Andrew Shim.[4] She described the making of the film, which was highly improvised, as "constant laughing and jokes". In 2011, her performance as Lorraine "Lol" Jenkins in This is England '86[5] won her the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress and the Royal Television Society Award for Best Actress.[1]

McClure co-starred in the 2008 London-based comedy film Filth and Wisdom, the first feature film directed by Madonna.[6] She admitted to being slightly star-struck upon first meeting Madonna, "I tried to act as cool as possible but inside I'm like, "Oh my God; there's Madonna!" You can't help it".[7] The film premièred at the Berlin International Film Festival on 13 February 2008.

McClure was approached and auditioned for a role in ITV soap Emmerdale, but decided to turn it down.[2] In 2012 she joined the cast of the British police procedural television series, Line of Duty in 2012 as DC Kate Fleming, continuing in the role in all six series.[8] She appeared in the 2013 British action-thriller film Hummingbird opposite Jason Statham.

In July 2016, McClure appeared as Winnie Verloc in The Secret Agent, based on the novel of the same name by Joseph Conrad.[9][10]

McClure starred in the BBC TV thriller The Replacement in 2017. In February 2017, McClure made her professional stage début at Nottingham Playhouse in the fortieth anniversary production of Touched by Stephen Lowe.[11] McClure did voiceover work for the More4 show A Year on the Farm in August the same year.

In 2019, McClure starred as Nicola in the channel 4 drama I Am... with This is England and Line of Duty co-star and friend, Perry Fitzpatrick.[12] She received praise for her portrayal of a woman trapped in an emotionally abusive relationship. Also in 2019, McClure was cast in the TV adaptation of Alex Rider, a series of young adult books by Anthony Horowitz. As of 2020, she plays Mrs. Jones, the deputy head of Mi6 in the show.[13] In December 2019, McClure made a brief appearance as herself in the popular internet comedy series on YouTube, Charity Shop Sue, based in Bulwell, Nottinghamshire.

Since 2022, McClure has starred in Trigger Point, an ITV series, as a bomb disposal expert in London. [14]

Music videos

McClure was also featured alongside Kaya Scodelario, Abbey Butler, Andy Crane and Paul Young in Plan B's music video "She Said". In 2010, McClure appeared in a number of promotional short films for the English cosmetics brand Illamasqua.[15] In 2012, McClure appeared in the video for Jake Bugg's song "Two Fingers" along with Line of Duty co-star Craig Parkinson.[16] On 18 March 2014, McClure appeared on BBC Radio 1's Innuendo Bingo.[17]

Our Dementia Choir

McClure formed the Our Dementia Choir in 2019, after her late grandmother's diagnosis of Alzheimer’s taught her the healing power of music. McClure worked on a documentary to raise awareness of the disease,[18] which culminated in a performance in front of 2,000 people at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall.[19] She revisited them in 2020, exploring how the pandemic had affected them.[20] She is also an Alzheimer's Society Ambassador as of 2018, and has taken part in the Alzheimer's Society Memory Walks for many years.[21][22]

In 2022, McClure made a further BBC documentary featuring other Dementia gatherings and musical support groups from elsewhere in the UK, and brought her own Dementia Choir to perform with Tom Grennan before 20,000 spectators at the Splendour Festival held in Nottingham's Wollaton Hall grounds.[23][24]

Dance events

In 2024, McClure and husband Jonny organised daytime dance hall gatherings targeted at over-30s. Named Day Fever, the inaugural event was at Sheffield's City Hall,[25] with DJs including Jon McClure and Jonny's daughter, Katie Owen.[26] Other venues are scheduled including in McClure's hometown of Nottingham and Jonny's in Cardiff. The sudden popularity prompted another similar event independently promoted in Lincoln.[27]

Personal life

McClure lives in Nottingham with Welsh director Jonny Owen.[28][29] On 28 December 2017, they announced their engagement.[30] They married on Friday 11 August 2023.[31][32]

In 2013, she opened the Hogarth Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Nottingham City Hospital, and has remained an avid supporter of the Teenage Cancer Trust since.[33][34]

McClure is close friends with Line of Duty stars Martin Compston, Adrian Dunbar, and writer Jed Mercurio.[35] She has also remained close with her This is England co-stars, with many attending Thomas Turgoose's wedding in 2019.[36] She is also friends with Perry Fitzpatrick, having worked with him on many projects over the last 20 years.[37][38]

McClure was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to drama and to charity.[39] She received the award from King Charles on 12 December 2023 at the Windsor Castle investiture ceremony.[40]

Local recognition

In 2015, Nottingham Express Transit (NET) named tram 224 after her.[41] On her maiden trip she was asked to leave the tram for fare evasion – having been offered a free ride, she did not have a ticket.[42] As of March 2022, NET had named 37 trams after people with connections local to the Nottingham area.[43][44]

In August 2022, McClure was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by the University of Nottingham for her work with Our Dementia Choir, including a TV documentary.[45] She was previously awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts by Nottingham Trent University during 2015, in recognition of her contributions to the acting profession and charitable work in Nottingham.[46]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1999 A Room for Romeo Brass Ladine Brass
2000 Doctors Kirsty Dunns 1 episode: "Love Me Tender"
2002 Tough Love Zoe Love
2004 Birth Day Lucia Short
2005 The Stairwell Woman Short
2006 This Is England Frances Lorraine "Lol" Jenkins
2008 Filth and Wisdom Juliette
2009 Enough Rope Iris
Cast Offs Claire 1 episode: "Carrie"
2010 Five Daughters Stacy Nicholls
Just Before Dawn Fay Short
This Is England '86 [47] Frances Lorraine "Lol" Jenkins BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress
RTS Award for Best Actress
TV Choice Award for Best Actress
2011 Walk Like a Panther Natalie
Stolen DC Manda Healey
Coming Up Kelly 1episode: "Rough Skin"
The Body Farm Tess Williams 1 episode: "Sexual Intentions"
This Is England '88 Frances Lorraine "Lol" Jenkins
2012 True Love Serena 1 episode: "Nick"
2012–2021 Line of Duty DC/DS/DI Kate Fleming 6 series
2013 Broadchurch Karen White Series 1[48]
Svengali Shell Film[49]
Hummingbird / Redemption Dawn Film[50]
2015 Convenience Levi Film
This Is England '90 Frances Lorraine "Lol" Jenkins
2016 The Secret Agent Winnie Verloc
2017 The Replacement Paula Reece
2018 Action Team Ruth Brooks
Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure Presenter Documentary[51][52]
Mother's Day Sue McHugh Television film[53]
2019 I Am Nicola Nicola 1 episode[54]
Charity Shop Sue Herself Christmas special & Episode 6[55]
2020–present Alex Rider Mrs Jones Main role (2 series)
2022-24 Trigger Point Lana Washington Lead role (2 series)
2022 Without Sin Stella Tomlinson ITV drama series[56]
2023 Vicky McClure: My Grandad's War Self ITV special[57]
Key
† Denotes productions that have not yet been released

Awards and nominations

Year Result Award Category Film or series Character
2011 Nominated TV Quick Award Best Actress This is England '86 Lol[58]
2011 Won RTS Television Awards Best Actor (Female) This is England '86 Lol[59]
2011 Won BAFTA Television Awards Best Actress This is England '86 Lol[60][61]
2012 Nominated RTS Television Awards Best Actor (Female) This is England '86 Lol[62]
2012 Nominated BAFTA Television Awards Best Actress This is England '88 Lol[63][64]
2012 Nominated Glamour Awards Pandora Breakthrough [citation needed]
2015 Nominated BAFTA Television Awards Best Supporting Actress Line of Duty Kate Fleming[65][66]
2019 Nominated TV Choice Awards Best Actress
2021 Won
Nominated National Television Awards Drama Performance
Won TV Times Awards Favourite Actress
2022 Nominated National Television Awards Drama Performance[67] Trigger Point Lana Washington

References

  1. ^ a b c McNulty, Bernadette (30 August 2015). "This Is England's Vicky McClure: 'It makes me sad that I'm not going to play Lol'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Two Shot Podcast, Vicky McClure, 6 July 2017.
  3. ^ Conner, Megan (17 July 2016). "Vicky McClure: 'Nothing I do will ever top working with Shane Meadows'". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  4. ^ "'This is England' - Vicky McClure Q&A". Time Out. 26 April 2007. Archived from the original on 10 July 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  5. ^ Renshaw, David (4 February 2016). "This Is England box set review: a tumultuous trip from mod to rave". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  6. ^ Christopher, James (14 February 2008). "Review: Madonna's Filth and Wisdom". The Times.
  7. ^ Wilson, Jared (22 October 2010). "Vicky McClure interview". LeftLion. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Line of Duty". BBC One. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  9. ^ Reid, Brent (14 February 2020). "Alfred Hitchcock Collectors' Guide: Secret Agent (1936)". Brenton Film.
  10. ^ "Vicky McClure to make period drama debut for BBC". Nottingham Post. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 3 November 2015.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ Ashworth, Pat (22 February 2017). "Touched review at Nottingham Playhouse – 'bittersweet and resonant'". The Stage. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  12. ^ Mangan, Lucy (23 July 2019). "I Am Nicola review – rare, stunning TV about an awful phenomenon". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  13. ^ Harrison, Ellie (24 April 2019). "Vicky McClure, Andrew Buchan and Stephen Dillane cast in Alex Rider series alongside teenage spy". Radio Times. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Trigger Point". IMDb.
  15. ^ "Illamasqua Blog - Latest Tips, News and Opinions". Illamasqua.
  16. ^ "Jake Bugg – Two Fingers". YouTube. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  17. ^ "Vicky McClure plays Innuendo Bingo!". YouTube. 18 March 2014. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  18. ^ Mangan, Lucy (2 May 2019). "Our Dementia Choir With Vicky McClure review – your tears will flow unstoppably". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Vicky McClure's Dementia Choir At Christmas". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  20. ^ Mangan, Lucy (16 December 2020). "Vicky McClure: Our Dementia Choir at Christmas review – magic of music returns some sparkle". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Line of Duty star Vicky McClure calls for action to help people with dementia in new Alzheimer's Society ambassador role | Alzheimer's Society". www.alzheimers.org.uk. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Vicky McClure joins charity walk". BBC News. 20 September 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  23. ^ Vicky McClure and dementia choir to perform at Splendour Festival BBC News, 5 July 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022
  24. ^ Vicky McClure opens up on Dementia Choir and 'magic' of Splendour Festival Nottinghamshire Live, 13 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022
  25. ^ The new-style nightclub that's only open in the day BBC News, 13 January 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024
  26. ^ Day Fever: Vicky McClure and Jonny Owen's daytime nightclub event coming to Nottingham's Rock City Nottinghamshire Live, 24 February 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024
  27. ^ Day time clubbing event in Lincoln for older dancers BBC News, 1 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024
  28. ^ Pires, Candice (16 March 2014). "Actors Vicky McClure and Jonny Owen on being in love". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  29. ^ Gorman, Rachel (10 October 2015). "At home with Vicky McClure and Jonny Owen". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  30. ^ Gorman, Rachel (5 March 2018). "Vicky McClure reveals how boyfriend Jonny Owen proposed on Christmas Day". Nottinghamshire Live. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Line of Duty's Vicky McClure announces marriage live on air". BBC News. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  32. ^ Stolworthy, Jacob (12 August 2023). "Line of Duty fans celebrate as lead stars reunite for co-star's wedding". The Independent. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  33. ^ Hammond, Laura (26 October 2017). "Actress Vicky McClure helps hospital cancer unit celebrate its fifth birthday". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  34. ^ Barr, Sabrina (23 April 2021). "Line Of Duty's Vicky McClure and Holly Willoughby auction outfits for charity". Metro. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  35. ^ Fletcher, Harry (21 March 2021). "Are the Line Of Duty cast friends in real life?". Metro. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  36. ^ Freshwater, Paige; Saunders, Emmeline (4 January 2019). "This Is England's Thomas Turgoose marries Charlotte Revell in secret ceremony". mirror. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  37. ^ Rodger, James (29 March 2021). "Vicky McClure's secret friendship with new Line of Duty star since childhood". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  38. ^ Randell, Louise (29 March 2021). "Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure's secret 20-year friendship with new castmember". mirror. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  39. ^ "No. 64082". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2023. p. B22.
  40. ^ Line of Duty star Vicky McClure honoured by King at MBE ceremony BBC Sport, 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023
  41. ^ Page, Jemma (9 December 2015). "Actress Vicky McClure has Nottingham tram named after her". Nottingham Post. Archived from the original on 16 December 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  42. ^ Ashe, Isaac (22 April 2017). "Line of Duty star Vicky McClure relives tram misunderstanding". BBC News. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  43. ^ "Nottingham tram named in honour of Sir Martyn Poliakoff". BBC News. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  44. ^ Tram Names. Honouring the great and the good of our City Nottingham Express Transit. Retrieved 12 March 2022
  45. ^ University of Nottingham honour Line of Duty star Vicky McClure for 'milestone' work on dementia ITV News, 9 August 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022
  46. ^ [1] 20 July 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2022
  47. ^ "Nottingham actors on This is England '86". BBC Local. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  48. ^ Watts, Halina (6 April 2013). "Broadchurch star Vicky McClure says viewers will be stunned by whodunnit". mirror. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  49. ^ "Bafta winner on her move back home". BBC News. 14 March 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  50. ^ Debruge, Peter (21 June 2013). "Film Review: 'Redemption'". Variety. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  51. ^ "BBC One - Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure". BBC. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  52. ^ Mangan, Lucy (2 May 2019). "Our Dementia Choir With Vicky McClure review – your tears will flow unstoppably". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  53. ^ "Vicky McClure unrecognisable in first-look pictures from drama Mother's Day". Independent.ie. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  54. ^ Mangan, Lucy (23 July 2019). "I Am Nicola review – rare, stunning TV about an awful phenomenon". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  55. ^ Gorman, Rachel (19 December 2019). "Charity Shop Sue returns for Christmas special with guest star Vicky McClure". Nottinghamshire Live. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  56. ^ "Without Sin review: Is Vicky McClure's psychological drama any good?". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  57. ^ "Vicky McClure: My Grandad's War". Radio Times. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  58. ^ Wightman, Catriona (18 May 2011). "In Full: TV Choice Awards 2011 - Nominees". Digital Spy.
  59. ^ "RTS Programme Awards 2011". Royal Television Society. 16 March 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  60. ^ "This is England 88's Vicky McClure on her rise to Bafta-winning stardom". Radio Times. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  61. ^ "BAFTA Awards Search | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  62. ^ "RTS Programme Awards 2012". Royal Television Society. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  63. ^ Kemp, Stuart (27 May 2012). "BAFTA TV Awards: 'Appropriate Adult' Wins Big; 'Borgen' Tops 'The Killing,' 'Modern Family'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  64. ^ "BAFTA Awards Search | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  65. ^ Evans, Denise (8 April 2015). "TV BAFTAs 2015: Sarah Lancashire and @ITVCorrie nominated". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  66. ^ "BAFTA Awards Search | BAFTA Awards". awards.bafta.org. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  67. ^ Lawes, Ruth (23 August 2022). "National Television Awards 2022 nominations revealed". Metro News. Retrieved 23 August 2022.

External links

BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress
RTS Programme Award for Best Performance by a Female Actor
Authority control databases
Categories