Katherine Kelly, best known for her role as Becky McDonald on Coronation Street from 2006 to 2012, has opened up about her unconventional childhood and the path that led to her successful acting career. Born in Barnsley, Yorkshire, in 1979, Kelly studied at Rada before performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, and Manchester's Royal Exchange. Her first major television role came when she joined Coronation Street for what was initially a six-episode stint, which ultimately lasted six years.
Reflecting on a childhood photo, Kelly described herself as a quiet, imaginative child who often wore a towel on her head to mimic long hair. Growing up as the eldest of four, she often wore hand-me-down boys' coats due to her mother's practicality. Her family had a bohemian streak: her parents were former club singers and night owls, and music was a constant presence in their home. Despite feeling embarrassed when friends visited and her father encouraged them to join in Irish ballads, Kelly said her friends were accepting of her differences.
At high school, Kelly became more outgoing and embraced amateur dramatics, encouraged by her parents. She never had a single epiphany about acting being her destiny; instead, she simply walked through doors as they opened. After drama school and early stage work, she felt the need to diversify her acting experience, leading her to accept the Coronation Street role. Since leaving the soap, she has appeared in notable productions such as The Night Manager, Gentleman Jack, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, and Inside No 9. She currently stars in In Flight, available on Channel 4.
