Olivier Award Winner Laura has worked extensively in film, television and theatre. Recent roles include playing monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone in 2022 in 'Werewolf by Night' on Disney+ as well as playing the lead role alongside James Norton in HBO/Sky Atlantic’s 2021 sci-fi epic ‘The Nevers’. However she is probably best known for her lead role as Jenny Murray in the Golden Globe-nominated drama ‘Outlander’, set in the 18th Century.
Her film credits include ‘The Program’ with Chris O’Dowd and ‘Hello Carter’ alongside Jodie Whittaker, and most recently playing Mabel Tolkien, mother to the title character in ‘Tolkien’, the biopic of author J.R.R.Tolkien with Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins.
However, many of her most notable performances are on the stage, in particular winning Best Actress in the 2018 Olivier Awards for her role in the critically acclaimed and sold-out production of ‘The Ferryman’, written by Jez Butterworth and directed by Sam Mendes. The "triumphant, bold piece of theatre” was inspired by Laura’s family history and she also reprised the role on Broadway.
In 2024 she received another Olivier Award nomination for her "brilliant" leading role in 'The Hills of California' at the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre. She starred as matriarch Veronica whose daughters have gathered at her deathbed at her run-down Blackpool guesthouse in 1976. The play was also nominated for 'Best New Play' and transferred to Broadway in late 2024, with critics there calling her performance "astonishing" (Deadline), "commanding" (Entertainment Weekly) and "utterly magnetizing" (New York Times).
Another stage highlight was in hit play ‘The River’ at the Royal Court Theatre, alongside Dominic West. The show was then transferred to Broadway where she starred alongside Hugh Jackman.
She made her on-screen debut in Emmy award winning ‘Sugar Rush’ for Channel 4 and went on to roles in ‘Merlin’ (BBC), ‘Missing’ (ABC) and ‘The Fall’ (BBC). Later she has had roles in ITVs ‘Beowulf’ and Amazon’s fantasy drama ‘Britannia’.
Born in Belfast, her native accent has a gentle Northern Irish lilt. She regularly uses other accents in her work ranging from Neutral/RP in The Nevers & Tolkien, Scottish in Outlander and Manchester in Occupation.
Age Range
Styles
Warm, Alluring, Recognisable, Credible, Smooth, Distinctive, Natural Reads, Regional, Mums
Credits
The Hills of California (Harold Pinter Theatre, West End and Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway, 2024) (Theatre, 2024) – 'Veronica/Joan', West End & Broadway
Werewolf by Night (TV, 2022) – 'Elsa Bloodstone', Disney+
The Nevers (TV, 2021) – 'Amalia True', HBO/Sky Atlantic
The Ferryman (Theatre, 2018) – 'Caitlin Carney', Royal Court Theatre, Gielgud Theatre, Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (Broadway)
Tolkien (Film, 2019) – 'Mabel Tolkien', Fox Searchlight Pictures
Britannia (TV, 2018-2019) – 'Hella', Series 1 & 2, Sky Atlantic/Amazon Studios
The Program (Film, 2015) – 'Emma O'Reilly', StudioCanal
Outlander (TV, 2014-2017) – 'Jenny Murray', Starz/Amazon
Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands (TV, 2016) – 'Elvina', ITV
The River (Royal Court Theatre, 2012 & Broadway, 2014) (Theatre, 2012 and 2014) – 'Other Woman', Royal Court Theatre/Circle in the Square Broadway
Hello Carter (Film, 2013) – 'Tara Cook', Revolution Films
The Fall (TV, 2013) – 'Sarah Kay', BBC, Series One
Missing (TV, 2012) – 'Violet Heath', ABC
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