Holli Cara-Rhian Dempsey (born 11 May 1990) is an English actress, writer and comedian. On television, she is known for her roles in the ITV drama The Ice Cream Girls (2013), the Channel 4 series Derek (2013–2014), the E4 series The Aliens (2016), and the Hulu series Harlots (2017–2019). Her films include Aaaaaaaah! (2015) and Dad's Army (2016).
Early life Dempsey is from East London. Her first experience of acting was in a school play, as Detective Bernstein in Little Shop of Horrors. Dempsey was trained in Joan Littlewood improvisation style as part of the junior group at Theatre Royal Stratford East.
Career In 2013, she had a regular role as Maureen Mulliganin in the TV series Breathless. In 2014, she appeared as Vicky for ten episodes of the Ricky Gervais comedy series Derek. In 2015, she appeared as Jolene in You, Me and the Apocalypse for a single episode: "Right in the Nuts".
In 2016, she played Holly in the TV series The Aliens, and appeared in ITV's Plebs. The same year, she was in 2016 film version of Dad’s Army.Holli Dempsey, exclusive to HELLO! Online: Holli Dempsey, star of Ricky Gervais's comedy Derek and the new Dad's Army film speaks exclusive to HELLO! Online, accessdate: 8 February 2016 In 2016, she appeared in "Hated in the Nation", an episode of the anthology series Black Mirror.
In 2019, she appeared in After Life, then in 2020, she played a lead role as Emily Lacey in the TV series Harlots, alongside Samantha Morton. In 2020, she appeared in the BBC comedy Ghosts.
She has also appeared in an episode of BBC's Call the Midwife, as prostitute 'Bridget Cole', and ITV’s The Delivery Man (2015), and The Ice Cream Girls (2013), an ITV drama based on the novel by Dorothy Koomson. Dempsey also appears in the 2015 British comedy film Aaaaaaaah! directed by Steve Oram.
In 2021, Dempsey played the role of Grace Melbury in a BBC Radio 4 adaptation of the Thomas Hardy novel The Woodlanders. In 2022 and 2023, she took the lead role of Jess in three series of Matthew Broughton’s radio thriller Broken Colours.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2010 After Effects Liz (Friend) Short film. Credited as Holli Wood 2011 This Time Next Year Jacqui Morgan Video The Fighter's Ballad The Fighter's Sister 2012 Full Firearms Bianca 2013 Lost Girl Tara Stokes Short film 2014 A Wonderful Christmas Time Charlotte 2015 Aaaaaaaah! Helen Drift Courtney Short film 2016 Dad's Army Vera Donald Mohammed Trump Campaign Helper Short films 2017 Tom Helen 2018 None of the Above Cassie Songbird Tara Also known as Alright Now 2019 Londonstani Mrs. Hancock Short film A Guide to Second Date Sex Bianca 2020 A Christmas Carol Fan (voice) Ecstasy Gary the Drug Dealer Short film 2021 Evie: Evil Has a New Name Evie Premiered at Arrow Video FrightFest 2023 Bolan's Shoes Zoe 2024 Housewarming Liz Short film
Television Year Title Role Notes 2010 The Bill Willow Series 26; episodes 30 & 31: "Respect: Parts 1 & 2" 2011 Tracy Beaker Returns Kali Series 2; episode 11: "Snake Bite" Doctors Titch Series 13; episode 54: "Protection" Holby City Alison Newton Series 13; episode 48: "Night Cover" Doctor Who Kelly Series 6; episode 12: "Closing Time" 2012 Whitechapel Elsa Durham Series 3; episode 6 Wizards vs Aliens Meena Series 1; episode 5: "Rebel Magic, Part 1" 2013 The Ice Cream Girls Young Poppy Carlisle Mini-series; episodes 1–3 Big Bad World Katie Episode 4 Breathless Maureen Mulligan Mini-series; episodes 1–6 2013–2014 Derek Vicky Series 1 & 2; 10 episodes 2014 New Worlds Agnes Mini-series; episodes 1–4 2015 Call the Midwife Bridget Cole Series 4; episode 4 DCI Banks Jodie Nash Series 4; episode 1: "What Will Survive: Part 1" The Delivery Man Claire Fisher Episode 1: "Youth" You, Me and the Apocalypse Jolene Mini-series; episode 5: "Right in the Nuts" Jekyll and Hyde Ginnie Mini-series; episode 6: "Spring-Heeled Jack" 2016 The Aliens Holly Mini-series; episodes 1–3, 5 & 6 Plebs Alba Series 3; episode 7: "The New Master" People Just Do Nothing Atlantic Receptionist Series 3; episode 2: "Record Deal" Black Mirror Clara Meades Series 3; episode 6: "Hated in the Nation" Blink Herself - Contestant Series 2; episode 2 2017–2019 Harlots Emily Lacey Main role. Series 1–3; 24 episodes 2019 Flack Carly Series 1; episode 2: "Summer" 2020 Endeavour Jenny Tate Series 7; episodes 1 & 3: "Oracle" & "Zenana" After Life Plastic Surgery Woman Series 2; episode 4 The Alienist Masie Series 2; episode 6: "Angel of Darkness: Memento Mori" I Hate Suzie Danielle Series 1; episode 6: "Guilt" Ghosts Isabelle Series 2; episode 5: "The Thomas Thorne Affair" 2020–2022 The Emily Atack Show Various characters Series 1–3; 12 episodes 2022 Agatha Raisin Chelsea / Samantha Series 4; episode 2: "Love, Lies and Liquor" Murder in Provence Delphine Jourdain Episode 3 2023 Black Ops Senior Nurse Series 1; episode 1 Mrs Sidhu Investigates Amelie Cook Episode 1: "Ripped" 2024 McDonald & Dodds Lilith Wood Series 4; episode 3: "Wedding Fever" Stags Sam Episode 1: "The Bath" Gut Punch Viv Mini-series. Also known as How to Break Up with Your Link 2024–2025 The Marlow Murder Club DC Alice Hackett Series 1 & 2; 10 episodes 2025 Grace Sam Fordwater Series 5; episode 2: "Dead at First Sight" Lynley Emma Kilfoyle Episode 4: "With No One as a Witness"
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2022 The Diofield Chronicle Tremina Umbert (voice) English versions Valkyrie Elysium Valkyrie / Nora (voice)
References
External links
Holli Dempsey at Curtis Brown