Gemma Whelan

Gemma Whelan
Whelan at Antwerp Convention 2014
Born
Gemma Elizabeth Whelan

1981
Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Occupation(s)Actress, comedian
Years active2005–present
SpouseGerry Howell
Children2

Gemma Elizabeth Whelan (born 1981) is an English actress and comedian known for portraying Yara Greyjoy in the HBO fantasy-drama series Game of Thrones and as her stand-up character Chastity Butterworth. She also plays Kate in all 4 series of the comedy Upstart Crow (2016–2018), Detective Eunice Noon on the first series of The End of the F***ing World (2017), Geraldine on the third series of Killing Eve (2020), and DCI Kerry Henderson in both series of DI Ray (2022–2024).

Early life and education

Gemma Elizabeth Whelan[citation needed] was born in Leeds in 1981[1] and grew up in the Midlands.[2]

She attended The King's High School for Girls in Warwick[3] and the London Studio Centre.[4]

She was hospitalised for anorexia nervosa as a teenager. She regards her recovery from the illness as her greatest achievement, and says that the experience has shaped her personality and how she approaches things.[5]

Career

Whelan at the End of the Road Festival, 2013

As a stand-up comedian, Whelan won the 2010 Funny Women Variety Award.[6] She performed at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe with her show Chastity Butterworth & The Spanish Hamster.[7] In 2014, she recorded a pilot chat show as her character Chastity Butterworth for BBC Radio 4,[8] which was in development in October 2015.[9][10] She also featured in other shows as this character.[11]

On screen, she has played supporting roles in several films and TV shows, including in the 2010 films Gulliver's Travels[12] and The Wolfman.[12] She played Kate (appearing in all 18 main episodes, as well as three Christmas specials) in Ben Elton's BBC Two comedy Upstart Crow,[12] and was a series regular on The End of the F***ing World.[12] She also played roles in other comedies, including Uncle and The Agency.[12]

In August 2011, she was cast as Yara Greyjoy,[13] elder sister of Theon, of House Greyjoy of the Iron Islands, in the HBO fantasy-drama television series Game of Thrones,[13] and appeared as a recurring cast member from the second season onward.[14]

In 2017, she portrayed Karen Matthews in the two-part TV drama The Moorside,[12] based on the 2008 disappearance of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews. In 2019, she appeared as Marian Lister in the BBC drama Gentleman Jack.[12]

In February 2020, a stage adaptation of Upstart Crow opened at the Gielgud Theatre, London, Whelan reprising the role of Kate.[15] Whelan returned to the West End stage as Kate when the play was revived at the Apollo Theatre in 2022.[16]

Whelan appears as DCI Kerry Henderson in the police drama series, DI Ray, written by Maya Sondhi and produced by Jed Mercurio,[5] as superior officer to DI Ray, played by Parminder Nagra. Her role extends from the first series in 2022[17] to series 2 in 2024.[18][19][20]

Personal life

Whelan lives in London with her husband, the comedian and actor Gerry Howell, and their two children.[21][5]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Madness of the Dance Sister Grace Short film
2008 Frites Marie-Anne Short film
Shortbread and Tea Mildred
2009 Ding Dong Dr. Pretty Short film
2010 The Wolfman Gwen's Maid
Gulliver's Travels Lilliputian Rose
c. 2011 Like Buses Girl 1 on bench Short film dir. by Gary Keller, written by James Acaster
(Available to watch on YouTube)
2014 Santageddon Gemma Short film
2016 Prevenge Len
Wise Girl Noodles Short film
2017 The Blue Door Caretaker Short film by Megan Joyce Pugh and Ben Clark of 13th Door Films with ALTER
(Available to watch on YouTube)[22]
Tad the Lost Explorer and the Secret of King Midas Tiffany / Henchwoman (voice) English version
Keyed Alike Coley Short film
Sump Kate Short film
2018 Surviving Christmas with the Relatives Miranda
2020 Emma. Miss Taylor / Mrs. Weston
2021 Hireth Eve (voice) Short film
TBA The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde In production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2006 The Enforcers Holly
2009 10 Minute Tales Pretty Nurse Episode: "Ding Dong"
2010 The Persuasionists Josephine 3 episodes
2011 Threesome Wendy Episode: "It's Not Cheating"
Living Doll Moaning Mona
For the Win Various Pilot
2012 Comedy Blaps Bar Waitress / Lost Woman in Park / Girlfriend 2 episodes: "Dr. Brown: Episodes 1 & 2"
Ruddy Hell! It's Harry & Paul Various Series 4; Episode 5
Cardinal Burns Claire
2012–2014,
2016–2019 		Game of Thrones Yara Greyjoy Recurring role, 16 episodes
2013 The Day They Came to Suck Out Our Brains! (unknown) Mini-series; Episode: "The Wrath of Ken"
Nick Helm's Heavy Entertainment Various
Claudia O'Doherty Comedy Blaps Sarah Mini-series, 3 episodes
2014 Live at the Electric Chastity Butterworth 3 episodes
Siblings Ruth Episode: "Vet Drugs"
Badults Juliet Series 2; Episode 2: "Neighbours"
Mapp & Lucia Quaint Irene Coles 3 episodes
2014–2016 Almost Royal Narrator (voice) 13 episodes
2015 Asylum Journalist Mini-series; Episode: "Strange Bedfellows"
The Art of Foley Pippa Mini-series; 3 episodes
Not Safe for Work Davina Mini-series; Episode 5
Murder in Successville Nurse Adele Episode: "Dr. Death"
2015–2017 Uncle Veronica 5 episodes
2016 Comedy Playhouse Chloe Series 17; Episode 2: "Broken Biscuits"
Morgana Robinson's The Agency Kat Cassidy 7 episodes
2016–2018 Hetty Feather Ida Battersea 14 episodes
2016–2020 Upstart Crow Kate Recurring role, 18 episodes and 3 specials
2017 Decline and Fall Diane Fagan Mini-series; 2 episodes
The Moorside Karen Matthews Mini-series; 2 episodes
The Crown Patricia Campbell Series 2; Episode 5: "Marionettes"
Queers Bobby Mini-series; Episode 7: "The Perfect Gentleman"
The End of the F***ing World DC Eunice Noon 5 episodes
Eat Your Heart with Nick Helm Herself 1 episode
2017–2022 Horrible Histories Various 7 episodes
2018 Danger Mouse Ego (voice) Series 2; Episode 29: "For Your Insides Only"
2019 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Additional voices Series 4; Episode 20: "Pizza Party/The Tavern at the End of the Multiverse"[23]
2019–2022 Gentleman Jack Marian Lister 16 episodes
2020 White House Farm Ann Eaton Mini-series; 6 episodes
Untitled Pajama Men Project Glenda
Killing Eve Geraldine Martens[24] Series 3; 6 episodes
2021 Frayed Hannah Series 2; 2 episodes
Inside No. 9 Columbina, a Maid Series 6; Episode 1: "Wuthering Heist"
2021–2024 The Tower DI/DS Sarah Collins Main role, 11 episodes
2022–2024 DI Ray DCI Kerry Henderson 10 episodes
2024 Cristóbal Balenciaga Prudence Glynn 6 episodes
Inside No. 9 Party Guest Series 9; Episode 6: "Plodding On"
Funny Woman Lynda Jay Series 2; 2 episodes
The Cleaner Lara Series 3; Episode 2: "The Baby"

Stage

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Newsrevue Various Edinburgh Festival
2006 Shakespeare for Breakfast Petruchio C Venues
Celebrity Love Panto Island Various Canal Cafe Theatre
2008 Red Death Lates (unknown) Gideon Reeling
Improvathon Bunny Valentine The Sticking Place
2009 Infinite Variety Various Whoopee Productions New Players Theatre
2010 Stephen & the Sexy Partridge Chanel Trafalgar Studios
2013 One Man, Two Guvnors Rachel Crabbe Royal National Theatre
Dark Vanilla Jungle Andrea Supporting Wall & Pleasance Theatre
Chastity Butterworth & the Spanish Hamster Chastity Butterworth Pajama Men Productions
2014 Dark Vanilla Jungle Andrea Supporting Wall
2015 Radiant Vermin [25] Jill and others Soho Theatre
2019 Pinter Seven: A Slight Ache [26] Flora Harold Pinter Theatre
2020 The Upstart Crow [27] Kate Gielgud Theatre
2024 Underdog: The Other Other Brontë Charlotte Brontë National Theatre

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Soul Sacrifice Terrwyn Voice roles
2014 Dragon Age: Inquisition Threnn / Maryden / Winterwatch Tower Cultist / Redcliffe Soldier / Redcliffe Villager / Emerald
Graves Civilian / Svarah Sun-Hair - Jaws of Hakkon DLC / Avvar - Jaws of Hakkon DLC
2015 Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward Igeyorhm / Vidofnir
Dragon Age: Inquisition - Trespasser Maryden
Guitar Hero Live (unknown)
2017 Mass Effect: Andromeda Pathfinder Zevin Raeka
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III Eldar
2021 Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Ameliance / Galene
2022 Elden Ring Lady Tanith
TBA Squadron 42 Becca Farneway Voice and motion capture

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2010 Funny Women Awards Best Variety Herself Won [6]
2016 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Game of Thrones Nominated [28][29]
2017 WFTV Awards The MAC Best Performance Herself Won [30]

References

  1. ^ Tripney, Natasha (20 March 2024). "Gemma Whelan: 'Right below my heart is a quiet place that has always burned to do this'". The Stage. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  2. ^ Lash, Jolie. "'Game Of Thrones' Newcomer Gemma Whelan Talks Yara Greyjoy". accessonline.com. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  3. ^ "From King's High to Hollywood". Independent Education Today. 31 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Alumni Gallery". londonstudiocentre.org. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Mwitumwa, Monde (2 May 2022). "DI Ray actress Gemma Whelan's age, family, and tough health battle". Leeds Live. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Funny Women Award Winners". Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  7. ^ Hall, Julian (7 August 2013). "Edinburgh Festival 2013: Chastity Butterworth & The Spanish Hamster -". The Independent. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  8. ^ "The Chastity Butterworth Show – Radio 4 Chat Show". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Chastity Butterworth TV chat show in development". British Comedy Guide. 13 October 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  10. ^ Whelan, Gemma (24 October 2015). "Circuit Training 86: The Secret Worlds of Gemma Whelan". British Comedy Guide (Interview). Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Live at the Electric". BBC Three. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "Gemma Whelan". Spotlight. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  13. ^ a b "The Spotlight on ... Gemma Whelan". London is Funny. 18 May 2011. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011.
  14. ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (6 July 2016). "Game of Thrones' Gemma Whelan on Yara's Sexuality and Freezing on Set". New York magazine.
  15. ^ Lawson, Mark (17 February 2020). "The Upstart Crow review – authentically Shakespearean right down to the puffling pants". The Guardian.
  16. ^ "Full cast for The Upstart Crow with David Mitchell announced | WhatsOnStage". www.whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  17. ^ Whelan, Gemma (5 June 2022). "New crime show 'DI Ray' tackles racism in a different way: star Gemma Whelan". TimesLIVE (Interview). Interviewed by Smith, Tymon. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  18. ^ Vick, Megan (21 July 2024). "'DI Ray' Season 2, Finale Recap: "Enemy Within"". Telly Visions. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  19. ^ Hibbs, James (2 May 2023). "Line of Duty star joins cast of DI Ray as filming begins on season 2". Radio Times. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Meet the cast of ITV thriller DI Ray". Radio Times. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
  21. ^ Roper, Kerri-Ann (30 November 2018). "Gemma Whelan: 'I'm out pushing my buggy around and I truly look like a bag lady... but it's fine'". Belfast Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235.(subscription required)
  22. ^ The Blue Door
  23. ^ Swift, Andy (7 February 2019). "Disney's Star vs. the Forces of Evil Ending With Season 4". TVLine.
  24. ^ Mitchinson, James, ed. (14 April 2020). "Whelan 'star-struck' to join the cast of spy thriller Killing Eve". The Yorkshire Post. p. 2. ISSN 0963-1496.
  25. ^ Billington, Michael (12 March 2015). "Radiant Vermin review – Philip Ridley's nightmare tale of a dream home". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  26. ^ "Pinter at the Pinter: Pinter Seven". Harold Pinter Theatre official website. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Upstart Crow – The Comedy". Official Show Website. Archived from the original on 4 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  28. ^ McKenzie, Joi-Marie (29 January 2017). "Screen Actors Guild Awards 2017: Complete Winners List". ABC News. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  29. ^ Nolfi, Joey (14 December 2016). "SAG Awards nominations 2017: See the full list". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  30. ^ "Meet the 2017 Women in Film and Television Award Winners". Women in Film & Television UK. Archived from the original on 5 August 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2019.