Elaine Cassidy (born 31 December 1979) is an Irish actress. Her films include The Sun, the Moon and the Stars (1996), Felicia's Journey (1999), The Others (2001), Disco Pigs (2002), And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007), (2015), Strangeways Here We Come (2018), The Wonder (2022), and The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023).

On television, her credits include The Ghost Squad (2005), Fingersmith (2005), Little White Lie (2008), Harper's Island (2009), The Paradise (2012), No Offence (2015–2018), Intruder (2021), and A Discovery of Witches (2021–2022), Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale (2024), Belgravia: The Next Chapter (2024) and The Lost World (2001).

Early life Cassidy was born in Raheny, and moved with her family to Kilcoole when she was three years old. Her first role was as the title character in a school production of Pinocchio when she was five. She participated in drama classes throughout secondary school.

Career In 1996, Cassidy was nominated for the Most Promising Actress at the Geneva Film Festival for her role in The Sun, the Moon and the Stars. In 1999, she played the starring role in Felicia's Journey, for which she was nominated Best Actress at the 20th Genie Awards. She was named EFP European Shooting Star for in 2001.

She has won two Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTA) for Best Actress in a Lead Role in Film in 2003 for her role as Runt in Disco Pigs, and in 2010 for Best Actress in a Lead Role in Television for her role as Abby Mills in the American CBS TV series Harper's Island. She was also nominated for an IFTA in 2005 as Best Actress in a Lead Role in Television for her role as "Maud Lilly" in the BBC BAFTA nominated drama Fingersmith, in 2007 as Best Actress in a Supporting Role in Film for her role as Sandra in And When Did You Last See Your Father?, and in 2009 as Best Actress in a Lead Role in Television for her role as Annie Mulcahy in Little White Lie.

In theatre, she has appeared in The Lieutenant of Inishmore (2002) and The Crucible (2006) with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and in There Came A Gypsy Riding at the Almeida Theatre in 2007.

In 2002, she appeared in the music video for Coldplay's "The Scientist". In 2011, she played Maureen in the TV film Just Henry.

In 2015, she played a main role of DC Dinah Kowalska in the Channel 4 drama series No Offence (2015–2018), and Sarah Manning in Acceptable Risk (2017).

In 2022, she starred as Rosaleen O'Donnell in the Irish film The Wonder, alongside her own daughter Kila, who played "the wonder" and co-starring Florence Pugh. She received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Film at the 'Irish Film and Television Awards in 2023.

In 2023, she starred in the film The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, playing Eadgifu of Kent, the role was previously played by Sonya Cassidy in the TV series.

Personal life Cassidy married English actor Stephen Lord, whom she met on the set of The Truth, on 31 December 2007. They live in Greenwich, London, with their daughter Kíla, and their son.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes 1996 Shelley 1999 Felicia's Journey Felicia2001 Lydia Disco Pigs Runt 2002 Carrie Matchett 2006 Candy 2007 And When Did You Last See Your Father? Sandra 2014 Ellie Seacord2016 Betsy Andreu Mum's List Rachel Property of the State Margaret 2018 Strangeways Here We Come Steph Nolan 2022 The Wonder Rosaleen O'Donnell 2023 The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die EadgifuThe role of Eadgifu of Kent is played by Sonya Cassidy in the TV series The Last Kingdom, but by Elaine Cassidy in the film. Despite their shared surname, the two actresses are not related. 2025 Salvable Elaine

Television Year Title Role Notes 1995 Mission Top Secret Mary Episode: "The Crown Jewels Are Missing" 2001 Agnes Cluny Miniseries 2003 Watermelon Anna Ryan TV film2005 Uncle Adolf Geli Raubal TV film Fingersmith Maud Lilly Miniseries; 3 episodes Det. Amy Harris Main role; 8 episodes 2007 Lucy Honeychurch TV film 2008 Little White Lie Annie Mulcahy TV film 2009 Harper's Island Abby Mills Main role; 13 episodes2011 Just Henry Maureen Dodge TV film Brona McKinney TV film 2012–2013 Katherine Weston Main role; 16 episodes 2015–2018 No Offence DC Dinah Kowalska Main role; 21 episodes 2017 Acceptable Risk Sarah Manning Main role; 6 episodes 2020 The Dark Tower Gabrielle Deschain TV film 2021 Intruder Rebecca Hickey Main role; 4 episodes 2021–2022 A Discovery of Witches Louisa de Clermont Main role (series 2)2024 Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale Sarah Fenn Main role; 7 episodes Belgravia: The Next Chapter Davison Main role; 8 episodes

Music video "The Scientist" by Coldplay, as Passenger

Theatre The Lieutenant of Inishmore (2002) Scenes from the Big Picture (2003) The Crucible (2006) There Came a Gypsy Riding (2007) Fathers and Sons (2014) Deluge (2015) Les Liaisons Dangereuses (2015 to 2016) Aristocrats, Donmar Warehouse (2018) Even These Things, The Royal Exchange Theatre (2026)

Awards Year Award Category Result Work Ref. 1996 Geneva Film Festival Most Promising Actress Won The Sun, the Moon and the Stars 2000 Golden Satellite Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama Nominated Felicia's Journey Genie Award Best Actress in a Leading Role Nominated 2001 EFP Shooting Stars Award Most promising international talent for Ireland Won Career achievement 2002 British Independent Film Award Best Actress Nominated Disco Pigs 2003 Irish Film and Television Awards Best Actress in a Feature Film Won Disco Pigs 2005 Best Actress in Television Nominated Fingersmith 2008 Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Feature Film Nominated And When Did You Last See Your Father? 2009 Best Actress in Television Nominated Little White Lie 2010 Best Actress in Television Won Harper's Island 2016 Best Actress in a Lead Role – Drama Nominated No Offence 2018 Best Actress in a Lead Role – Drama Nominated Acceptable Risk 2023 Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Feature Film Nominated The Wonder 2025 Best Actress in a Lead Role – Drama Nominated Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale

References

External links

The 5th IFTA