Katy Murphy (born 8 December 1962) is a Scottish actress and teacher from Glasgow, Scotland, who has appeared in many television programs, most of them for the BBC and ITV. While most associated with television drama, she has worked across a variety of genres, including crime and children.
Early life "Growing up in Glasgow’s east end housing scheme Cranhill, teaching was the plan," and Murphy studied at Glasgow University before discovering a love for the stage. Her birth name is Margaret.
Career Murphy rose to prominence after appearing as Janice Toner in Tutti Frutti (1987), starring Robbie Coltrane. It was written by John Byrne for BBC Scotland, and won six BAFTAs, bringing "many of the cast to national prominence." She also appeared in Byrne's next series, Your Cheatin' Heart (1990), starring Tilda Swinton.
Other credits include Takin' Over the Asylum, written by Donna Franceschild, A Mug's Game (1996), Mike and Angelo, Spatz, B&B, The Steamie, The River, Casualty, and Agatha Christie's Poirot. She played the part of Jenny Wren in the BBC Two adaptation of Charles Dickens' Our Mutual Friend.
Among her later work is the distraught mother of a murdered girl in Prime Suspect (2006), and the 2008 drama series Honest. In 2018, Murphy again teamed up with Donna Franceschild to star in her short film Bridge, with Steven Duffy. Her radio work includes the role of Janet in the Radio 4 series Adventures of a Black Bag.
Katy Murphy works part time as a teacher, with young children, including those with special needs, saying she loves it because "[it’s] so healthy. You’re looking outwards, rather than inwards." When teaching, she uses the name Margaret, which is on her birth certificate.
Personal life
Murphy lives in North London's Crouch End, where she has owned a home since 1998, the year her daughter, Lola, was born.
Theatre Year Title Role Company Director Notes 1989 The Cherry Orchard Dunyasha Lyceum Theatre Company, Edinburgh Hugh Hodgart play by Anton Chekov, adapted by Stuart Patersonreview of The Cherry Orchard by Sarah Hemming, The list, Issue 90, 24 March - 6 April 1989, p. 22
Filmography +Film Year Title Role Notes 1995 Butterfly Kiss Judith 2004 Dear Frankie Miss MacKenzie 2008 The Cottage Farmer's Wife 2008 Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day Miss Holt's Assistant 2010 Cemetery Junction Mrs Waring 2018 Bridge Woman Short
+Television Year Title Role Notes 1987 Tutti Frutti Janice Toner Series 1 — 6 episodes 1988 The Play on One Ishbel Series 1, Episode 3: "Normal Service" 1988 Arena Usherette Series 13, Episode 17: "Byrne About Byrne" 1988 The River Sarah MacDonald Series 1 — 6 episodes 1988 The Steamie Doreen Television film 1989 Poirot Annie Series 1, Episode 1: "The Adventure of the Clapham Cook" 1990 Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit Mrs. Virtue Miniseries — 3 episodes 1990 Your Cheatin' Heart Billie McPhail Miniseries – 6 episodes 1991–1992 Spatz Fiona 'Freddy' Reddy Series 2–3 — 20 episodes 1991 4 Play Maddie Series 2, Episode 2: "'Itch" 1991 Casualty Kath Series 6, Episode 9: "Making the Break" 1992 She-Play Bunty Episode: "Full Board" 1992 B & B Billie Golden Television film 1993 The Bill Jane Campbell Series 9, Episode 1: "Dying Breed" 1993 The Brown Man Hilary Preminger Television film 1994 Roughnecks Check-In Girl Series 1, Episode 1 1994 Takin' Over the Asylum Francine Miniseries – 6 episodes 1994 Between the Lines Linda Watson Series 3, Episode 3: "A Face in the Crowd" 1995–2000 Mike and Angelo Katy Andrews Series 7–12 — 60 episodes 1995 Dangerfield Terri Morgan Series 2 — 11 episodes 1995 Roughnecks Cath Series 2 — 7 episodes 1996 A Mug's Game Denise 1997 Rab C. Nesbitt D.S.S. Assistant Series 6, Episode 1: "Fast" 1998 Our Mutual Friend Jenny Wren Miniseries — 3 episodes 1998 Two Lives Mary Episode: "Rose" 2000 Nature Boy Steve's Nurse Miniseries — 1 episode 2000 Fish Angela Duncan Series 1 — 6 episodes 2000 Donovan Quick Lucy Pannick Television film 2001 Happiness Moira Series 1, Episode 6: "Forty" 2001 Holby City Laura Sullivan Series 3, Episode 27: "The Mourning After' 2002 The Bill Lorna Buchanan Series 18, Episode 35: "Sitting Tenants" 2002 Me & Mrs Jones Michelle Television film 2003 Midsomer Murders Helen Series 6, Episode 4: "A Tale of Two Hamlets" 2003 The Key Katherine Miniseries — 3 episodes 2003 Doctors Mrs. Cox Series 5, Episode 154: "End of Innocence" 2006 The Kindness of Strangers Dr. Sarah Television film 2006 Prime Suspect Ruth Sturdy Series 7: "The Final Act" (Parts 1 & 2) 2008 Honest Caitlin Series 1, Episode 2 2009 No Holds Bard Sheila Buchanan Television film 2009 Holby City Denise Foreman Series 11, Episode 48: "Out of the Woods" 2011 Zen Sister Anna Series 1, Episode 3: "Ratking" 2011 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher Mrs. Holley Television film: "The Murder at Road Hill House" 2021 Kangaroo Beach Shelley Series 1, Episode 26: "Cadets in Charge"
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