Michelle Fairley is an actress from Northern Ireland. She is best known for playing Catelyn Stark in the HBO series Game of Thrones (2011–2013). She has since appeared in the USA Network series Suits (2013), the Fox series 24: Live Another Day (2014), the RTÉ miniseries Rebellion (2016), the science fiction series The Feed (2019), the Sky Atlantic crime drama Gangs of London (2020–present), and the Netflix series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (2026).
Early life Fairley was born in Coleraine to parents Brian and Teresa Fairley, the second eldest of six children. Her father was a popular publican, owner of Fairley's Bar and several off-licences, in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, when Fairley remembers both Catholics and Protestants frequenting the pub.
Career Fairley appeared in a number of British television shows, including The Bill, Holby City and Casualty. Some of her earlier roles were as Cathy Michaels on ITV1's Inspector Morse in the episode titled "The Way Through the Woods", and as Nancy Phelan in Lovejoy in the episode 9 of Season 3 titled "Smoke Your Nose".
She took over the role of Mrs. Granger from Heather Bleasdale (who had played Mrs. Granger in Chamber of Secrets) in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows films. From 2011 to 2013, Fairley starred as Catelyn Stark (née Tully) in the first three seasons of the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, replacing Jennifer Ehle who played the character in the original, unaired, pilot episode.
Fairley joined the cast of the USA Network series Suits for its third season, playing the recurring role of Dr. Ava Hessington, a chemical engineer and oil CEO accused of bribery, and after that, accused for murder. She played Margot Al-Harazi in 24: Live Another Day on Fox. Her film roles included The Invisible Woman (2013) and In the Heart of the Sea (2015). In 2014, Fairley was cast as Margaret Langston in the ABC TV Series Resurrection (2014–2015).
In 2017, it was announced Fairley would appear in a revival of Jim Cartwright's play Road at the Royal Court Theatre In 2018, she played Cassius in Julius Caesar at the Bridge Theatre, alongside David Calder, David Morrissey and Ben Whishaw. In 2019, Fairley led the Virgin Media and Amazon Prime science fiction series The Feed as Meredith Hatfield. As of June 2020, Fairley stars as Marian Wallace in the Sky Atlantic crime drama Gangs of London. She starred as Millie in the 2021 film Nobody Has to Know, alongside Bouli Lanners. In 2023, Fairley starred as Princess Augusta in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story on Netflix. She also contributed to The Gone, a TVNZ and RTÉ co-production.
Personal life Fairley has been based in London since 1986, and keeps a low public profile. She said in an interview with The Telegraph in 2015, that she made the decision to separate from her boyfriend of seven years, in 2012. Since then, Fairley has had no known partners. Fairley said, in the same interview, that she "missed the gene" for motherhood. She never had the desire to have children like some of her siblings did.
While Fairley has worked on various American projects in the past, she has no love for Hollywood, and the West End theatres remain her home. She said that while television and movies provide a new challenge by making her "use a different muscle", theatre is where she feels her best work is done, where she started her career, and where she hopes to "end up".
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1987Hidden CityCleaner1990Hidden AgendaTeresa Doyle1998Miss O'ShaunessyHideous KinkyPatricia2000AislingShort film2001Mrs. Marlish2002ShearingYvonneShort films2009Suicide ManWoman on Cliff2010Cup CakeAnnie McNabbAnton Checkov's The DuelMaryaChatroomRosieHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1Mrs. Granger2013Caroline GravesPhilomenaSally MitchellJack and the Cuckoo-Clock HeartBrigitte Helm (voice)English version2014Ironclad: Battle for BloodJoan De VesciMontanaDCI Rachel JonesI Am HereMotherShort film2015In the Heart of the SeaMrs. Nickerson2016EdithSheilaShort films2019The TrapMichelle2020Lesson 7Max2021Nobody Has to KnowMillie MacPherson2022An Irish GoodbyeGrainne (voice)Short film2023The TrapMichelleLonger version of 2019 short2024Small Things Like TheseMrs. Wilson2026WhistleIvy RaymoreNo Ordinary HeistMarjorie Fulton
Television Year Title Role Notes1987TeresaRosieTelevision film1988CrossfireScanlon's GirlMini-series; episode 1: "Bringing It Home"1989SaracenMaeveEpisode 6: "Starcross"19904 PlayMaureenSeries 1; episode 8: "Valentine Falls"Theatre NightRuthSeries 5; episode 4: "Pentecost"1991Children of the NorthKateEpisodes 1, 3 and 4Screen TwoSharonSeries 8; episode 2: "Flea Bites"CasualtyKathy EmerickSeries 6; episode 2: "Judgement Day"1992LovejoyNancy PhelanSeries 3; episode 9: "Smoke Your Nose"ScreenplayJennySeries 7; episode 2: "Force of Duty"1993Screen TwoFiona Gibbons - LiverpoolSeries 9; episode 3: "The Long Roads"ComicsNula O'ReillyEpisodes 1 & 2CasualtyKate MaguireSeries 8; episode 4: "No Place to Hide"1994Cardiac ArrestCasualty Sister Karen TellerSeries 1; episodes 2, 4 and 61995Screen TwoRoisin DonaghySeries 11; episode 2: "Life After Life"Beth SpenceSeries 11; episode 77: "No Choice"Inspector MorseCathy MichaelsSeries 8; episode 1: "The Way Through the Woods"1996Screen TwoJean McBrideSeries 13; episode 5: "The Precious Blood"Safe and SoundEleanor DelaneyMain role. Episodes 1–6Kathy CowanEpisodes 1–41997Gabby RodwellMain role. Series 1; episodes 1–6Mrs. Harriet FitzpatrickMini-series; episodes 2–51999Vicious CircleFrancesTelevision filmBirths, Marriages and DeathsPatMain role. Episodes 1–42000McCready and DaughterBernadetteTelevision film2001In DeepPhoebe / EvaSeries 1; episodes 1 and 2: "Blue on Blue: Parts 1 and 2"RebusJanice MeeSeries 1; episodes 3 and 4: "Dead Souls" and "Mortal Causes"2003Holby CityHeidi DrurySeries 6; episode 6: "Keep It in the Family"ShirleySeries 1; episode 62005Ahead of the ClassSonia VenningTelevision filmJulia HarperMini-series; episode 42006The Catherine Tate ShowNurse RosemarySeries 3; episode 1: "Mum, I'm Gay"Strictly ConfidentialCarol MachinEpisode 22007Trial & RetributionJanet JenkinsSeries 10; episodes 9 and 10: "Mirror Image: Parts 1 and 2"Paul's MumSeries 2; episode 6: "The Promise"2009Mrs. SaveryTelevision filmLark Rise to CandlefordMrs. Lizbeth PattersonSeries 2; episode 10Best: His Mother's SonAnn BestTelevision filmTaggartJoan RevieSeries 25; episode 4: "So Long Baby"MisfitsLouise YoungSeries 1; episodes 1 and 22010Midsomer MurdersIris HolmanSeries 13; episode 6: "The Noble Art"2011Silent WitnessDI Suzy HarteSeries 14; episodes 5 and 6: "First Casualty: Parts 1 and 2"2011–2013Game of ThronesCatelyn StarkMain role. Seasons 1–3; 25 episodes2012Coming UpJenSeries 10; episode 7: "Colour"2013SuitsAva HessingtonRecurring role. Season 3; 8 episodes201424: Live Another DayMargot Al-HaraziMini-series; episodes 2–9CommonShelagh WallaceTelevision film2014–2015ResurrectionMargaret LangstonSeason 2; episodes 1–132015The Lizzie Borden ChroniclesAideen TrotwoodMini-series; episode 8: "Capsize"Crossing LinesSophie BainesSeason 3; episodes 1 and 2: "Redux" and "Whistleblower"2016RebellionDolly ButlerMini-series; episodes 1–52017FortitudeFreya LennoxSeries 2; episodes 1–10The White PrincessMargaret Beaufort Main role. Mini-series; episodes 1–8Penn Zero: Part-Time HeroQueen Igneous (voice)Season 2; episode 5; segment: "Rockullan, Papyron, Scissorian"2018To Provide All PeopleIntensive Care NurseTelevision film2019The FeedMeredith HatfieldMain role. Episodes 1–10Responsible ChildKerryTelevision film2020–presentGangs of LondonMarian WallaceMain role. Series 1–3; 25 episodes2023Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton StoryPrincess AugustaMain role. Mini-series; episodes 1–62023–2024The GoneJudge Hannah MartinMain role. Series 1 and 2; 11 episodes2026How to Get to Heaven from BelfastMargoRecurring role. Season 1; 7 episodes
Theatre Year Title Role Notes1993OleannaCarolRoyal Court Theatre1998Never LandElisabeth1999ValerieWalter Kerr Theatre2003Scenes from the Big PictureHelen WoodsNational TheatreLoyal WomenBrendaRoyal Court Theatre2004Ashes to AshesRebeccaLyric Theatre2006GinaDonmar WarehouseGates of GoldAlmaTrafalgar Studios2007OthelloEmiliaDonmar WarehouseMacbethLady MacbethWest Yorkshire Playhouse2009Dancing at LughnasaKateOld Vic2010Greta Garbo Came to DonegalPaulie HennessyTricycle Theatre2011Remembrance DaySvetaRoyal Court Theatre2015SplendourGenevieveDonmar Warehouse2017RoadHelen / Marion / BrendaRoyal Court Theatre2018Julius CaesarCassiusBridge Theatre
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2008 Olivier Awards Best Performance in a Supporting Role 2011 Irish Film & Television Award Best Actress - Television Game of Thrones Scream Award Best Ensemble Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 2013 Irish Film & Television Award Best Actress - Television Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress on Television Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series 2015 Irish Film & Television Award Best Supporting Actress - Television 2019 Clarence Derwent Award Best Female in a Supporting Role WhatsOnStage Award Best Supporting Actress in a Play 2021 Chicago International Film Festival Best Actress
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