Vicky McClure MBE

Vicky McClure was born and raised in Wollaton, Nottingham, in a close-knit working-class family. From an early age, she was drawn to storytelling and performance, joining the acclaimed Central Television Workshop in Nottingham — a renowned training ground that has produced many of Britain's best-known screen actors, including Samantha Morton, Jack O'Connell, and Joe Dempsie.

Under the guidance of founder Ian Smith, she honed her craft, learning not only acting techniques but also the discipline, collaborative spirit, and emotional authenticity that would define her career. While still a teenager, she appeared in local advertisements and small television roles, but it was her persistence and raw talent that caught the eye of filmmakers seeking genuine, unpolished performers.

McClure credits the Workshop community for building her confidence and instilling the belief that powerful storytelling stems from truth and empathy rather than glamour or privilege. "I didn't come from money or connections," she has shared in interviews. "I came from heart, hustle, and a belief that anyone can tell a story if they're brave enough to be honest."

Her early experiences in Nottingham shaped her grounded approach to fame, keeping her connected to her roots even as her career soared internationally. Today, she remains a proud advocate for regional talent and education, often returning to mentor young actors at the Workshop.

Vicky's breakthrough came with Shane Meadows' seminal film This Is England (2006), where her portrayal of Lol Jenkins captured the raw turbulence and tenderness of 1980s youth culture in Britain. The role earned critical acclaim and resonated deeply with audiences, highlighting her ability to convey complex emotions with subtlety and power.

She reprised Lol in Channel 4's miniseries This Is England '86, '88, and '90, delivering performances that won her the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress and Royal Television Society Award in 2011. These projects solidified her as a leading voice in authentic British storytelling.

In 2012, she joined Jed Mercurio's gripping BBC series Line of Duty as DI Kate Fleming, becoming the moral compass of the show across six seasons. The series, which attracted over 15 million viewers for its finale, showcased her skill in balancing intense professionalism with vulnerable humanity, earning multiple award nominations.

Vicky's versatility shines in diverse roles, from guest appearances in Broadchurch to leading in the high-stakes thriller Trigger Point (2022–present) as bomb-disposal expert Lana Washington. Other notable works include Alex Rider, Mother's Day, and the psychological drama Insomnia (2023), where she explores themes of identity and mental health.

Inspired by a 2018 BBC documentary, Vicky founded Our Dementia Choir to explore music's transformative power for those living with dementia. The choir unites people with dementia, their carers, and musicians in a supportive community, fostering joy, connection, and cognitive benefits through song.

Since its inception, the choir has performed at iconic venues like the Royal Albert Hall and Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena, collaborated with Alzheimer's Research UK and the NHS, and raised over £750,000 for dementia support and research.

Vicky actively participates in rehearsals and events, advocating for music therapy's role in dementia care. The project has spawned BBC specials, a Christmas single that charted in the UK Top 40, and expansion plans for regional choirs and online resources.

"Music doesn't just remind people who they were," Vicky explains. "It reminds them who they still are, and connects us all in ways words sometimes can't."