Jill Halfpenny
Updated: 12/11/2025, 5:04:15 PM Wikipedia source
Jill Halfpenny (born 15 July 1975) is an English actress who first garnered attention playing Nicola Dobson in the coming-of-age drama series Byker Grove (1989–1992). She became more widely known for her roles as Rebecca Hopkins on the soap opera Coronation Street (1999–2000), Kate Mitchell on the soap opera EastEnders (2002–2005), and Izzie Redpath in Waterloo Road (2006–2007). Her other notable credits include Babylon (2014), In the Club (2014–2016), Humans (2015), Three Girls (2017), Liar (2017–2020), Dark Money (2019), The Drowning (2021), and The Long Shadow (2023). She won the second series of the television dance contest Strictly Come Dancing in 2004. For her portrayal of Paulette Bonafonté in the original West End run of Legally Blonde (2010–2011), Halfpenny received the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical. Her other stage credits include Chicago (West End, 2005), Calendar Girls (West End, 2009), Abigail's Party (West End, 2012), Way Upstream (Chichester Festival Theatre, 2015), The Girl on the Train (Leeds Playhouse, 2018), and A Taste of Honey (Royal Exchange, 2024).
Infobox
Born
(1975-07-15) 15 July 1975 (age 50)Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England
Occupations
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Years active
1989–present
Spouse
mw- Craig Conway (m. 2007; div. 2010)
Children
1
Relatives
Chelsea Halfpenny (niece)
Tables
· Filmography › Film
2000
Command Approved
Role(s)
Chopper Pilot
2013
Turn Your Bloody Phone Off: The Second Batch
Role(s)
Mummy
Notes
ShortSegment: "Shush Mummy"
2016
Maisie
Role(s)
Louise
Notes
Short
2019
Colourblind
Role(s)
Mum
Notes
Short
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2000 | Command Approved | Chopper Pilot | |
| 2011 | How to Stop Being a Loser | Christina | |
| 2013 | Turn Your Bloody Phone Off: The Second Batch | Mummy | ShortSegment: "Shush Mummy" |
| 2016 | Maisie | Louise | Short |
| 2017 | Ghost Stories | Peggy Van Rhys (voice) | |
| 2018 | Walk Like a Panther | Lara Anderson | |
| 2019 | Colourblind | Mum | Short |
· Filmography › Television
1997
1998
The Round Tower
Role(s)
Rosie Cotton
Notes
Television film
1999
1999–2000
Role(s)
Coronation Street
Notes
Rebecca Hopkins
2006
2006–2007
Role(s)
Waterloo Road
Notes
Izzie Redpath
2011
Walk Like a Panther
Role(s)
Lara Anderson
Notes
Episode #1.1
2012
2013
2014
Beautality
Role(s)
Pam St. Clair
Notes
Television film
2014–2016
Role(s)
In the Club
Notes
Diane Manning
2016
2019
2022
Jill Halfpenny's Easter Journeys
Role(s)
Presenter
Notes
Documentary miniseries
The Holiday
Role(s)
Kate Fitzgerald
Notes
Main role
2024
2025
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1989–1992 | Byker Grove | Nicola Dobson | Series regular (seasons 1–4) |
| 1997 | The Bill | Lisa Collett | Episode: "Man Trap" |
| Birds of a Feather | Brittany | Episode: "Rising Damp" | |
| The Lakes | Tina | Episode | |
| 1998 | The Round Tower | Rosie Cotton | Television film |
| Heartbeat | Mitzi Wyler | Episode: "Local Knowledge" | |
| Touching Evil | Annie Jordan | Episode: "What Price a Child" Parts 1 & 2 | |
| 1999 | Dangerfield | Shelley | Episode: "Tying the Knot" |
| Peak Practice | Kelly | Recurring (series 8) | |
| 1999–2000 | Coronation Street | Rebecca Hopkins | Series regular |
| 2001 | Dalziel and Pascoe | Tara Connolly | Episode: "Home Truths" |
| 2002 | Breeze Block | Gail | Main role |
| 2002–2005 | EastEnders | Kate Mitchell | Series regular |
| 2003 | Barbara | Kirsty | Episode: "Kirsty" |
| 2004 | Strictly Come Dancing | Contestant | Series 2 winner |
| 2005 | The Catherine Tate Show | Gina | Episode: "Dog Obedience" |
| 2006 | Shameless | Roxy Benson | Episode: "Old Flame" |
| 2006–2007 | Waterloo Road | Izzie Redpath | Series regular (series 1–2) |
| 2007 | Blue Murder | Jackie Holroyd | Episode: "Crisis Management" |
| 2009 | Inspector George Gently | Cora Davidson | Episode: "Gently with the Innocents" |
| 2011 | Mount Pleasant | Emma | Recurring (series 1) |
| Walk Like a Panther | Lara Anderson | Episode | |
| 2012 | Murdoch Mysteries | Elizabeth Bryant | Episode: "Murdoch of the Klondike" |
| Wild at Heart | Fiona | Recurring (series 7) | |
| 2013 | Lightfields | Martha Felwood | Main role |
| Vera | Maggie Warnock | Episode: "Prodigal Son" | |
| 2014 | Babylon | Davina | Main role |
| Beautality | Pam St. Clair | Television film | |
| 2014–2016 | In the Club | Diane Manning | Main role |
| 2015 | Humans | Jill Drummond | Main role (series 1) |
| 2016 | Death in Paradise | Naomi Walker | Episode: "The Blood Red Sea" |
| Ordinary Lies | Belinda Brierly | Episode: "Joe" | |
| 2017 | Three Girls | Julie Winshaw | Main role |
| 2017–2020 | Liar | Jennifer | Recurring (series 1–2) |
| 2019 | Year of the Rabbit | Flora Wilson | 3 episodes |
| Dark Money | Sam Mensah | Main role | |
| 2020 | Inside No. 9 | Jennie | Episode: "Misdirection" |
| 2021 | The Drowning | Jodie Walsh | Main role |
| 2022 | Jill Halfpenny's Easter Journeys | Presenter | Documentary miniseries |
| The Holiday | Kate Fitzgerald | Main role | |
| Everything I Know About Love | Roisin | Main role | |
| 2023 | The Long Shadow | Doreen Hill | 3 episodes |
| 2024 | The Cuckoo | Sian Gregson | Main role |
| The Red King | Ann Fletcher | Episode | |
| 2025 | The Feud | Emma Bartlett | Main role |
| 2025 | Daddy Issues | Davina | 2 episodes (Series 2) |
Selected voiceover credits · Filmography › Voice work
2007
Fat Man's Warning
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Documentary
2013
Shoplife
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Documentary
Shut-ins: Britain's Fattest People
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Documentary
2015
Britain's Horror Homes
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Series 1
2017
Shut-ins: Britain's Fattest Woman
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Documentary
2017–2018
Role(s)
The Liza Tarbuck Show; The Sara Cox Show; Good Morning Sunday
Notes
Host
2018
Stone
Role(s)
Jackie Stanton-Hope
Notes
Main role (series 7); BBC Radio 4
2019
When Plastic Surgery Goes Horribly Wrong
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Documentary
2020
Body Horror
Role(s)
Caroline
Notes
Main role; BBC Radio 4
The Estate: Life Up North
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Documentary miniseries
2020–2022
Role(s)
Elephant Hospital
Notes
Narrator
2022
The Magpie
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Audiobook (author: Marrisse Whittaker)
Vengeance Is Mine
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Audiobook (author: Michael Wood)
Northern Justice
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Documentary series
2022–2023
Role(s)
Geordie Hospital
Notes
Narrator
2024
A Life Reimagined
Role(s)
Narrator
Notes
Audiobook (author: Jill Halfpenny)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | Freaky Eaters | Narrator | Series 1 |
| Fat Man's Warning | Narrator | Documentary | |
| 2011 | Jamie: Drag Queen at 16 | Narrator | Documentary |
| 2013 | Shoplife | Narrator | Documentary |
| Shut-ins: Britain's Fattest People | Narrator | Documentary | |
| 2015 | Britain's Horror Homes | Narrator | Series 1 |
| 2017 | Shut-ins: Britain's Fattest Woman | Narrator | Documentary |
| 2017–2018 | The Liza Tarbuck Show; The Sara Cox Show; Good Morning Sunday | Host | Recurring; BBC Radio 2 |
| 2018 | Stone | Jackie Stanton-Hope | Main role (series 7); BBC Radio 4 |
| 2019 | When Plastic Surgery Goes Horribly Wrong | Narrator | Documentary |
| 2020 | Body Horror | Caroline | Main role; BBC Radio 4 |
| The Estate: Life Up North | Narrator | Documentary miniseries | |
| 2020–2022 | Elephant Hospital | Narrator | Documentary series |
| 2022 | The Magpie | Narrator | Audiobook (author: Marrisse Whittaker) |
| Vengeance Is Mine | Narrator | Audiobook (author: Michael Wood) | |
| Trouble at Topshop | Narrator | Documentary miniseries | |
| Northern Justice | Narrator | Documentary series | |
| 2022–2023 | Geordie Hospital | Narrator | Documentary series |
| Hotel Benidorm: Sun, Sea & Sangria | Narrator | Documentary series | |
| 2024 | A Life Reimagined | Narrator | Audiobook (author: Jill Halfpenny) |
Selected theatre credits · Theatre
1995
Like a Virgin
Role(s)
Angela
Notes
Hull Truck Theatre
1999
Jumping the Waves
Role(s)
—
Notes
ARC Theatre
2001
Studs
Role(s)
Mandy
Notes
Hull Truck Theatre
2005
The Bodies
Role(s)
Thérèse Raquin
Notes
Live Theatre
2005–2006
Role(s)
Cinderella
Notes
Fairy Godmother
2006–2007
Role(s)
Jack and the Beanstalk
Notes
Mother Nature
2008
Surviving Spike
Role(s)
Norma Farnes
Notes
Theatre Royal, Windsor
2010
Jill Halfpenny Celebrates the Great British Songbook
Role(s)
Host
Notes
Wilton's Music Hall
2019
In a Word
Role(s)
Fiona
Notes
Young Vic
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| — | The Sound of Music | Liesl von Trapp | Crucible Theatre |
| 1995 | Like a Virgin | Angela | Hull Truck Theatre |
| 1999 | Jumping the Waves | — | ARC Theatre |
| 2001 | Studs | Mandy | Hull Truck Theatre |
| Cooking with Elvis | Jill | National tour | |
| 2002 | 1984 | Julia | Northern Stage |
| 2005 | Chicago | Roxie Hart | Adelphi Theatre |
| The Bodies | Thérèse Raquin | Live Theatre | |
| 2005–2006 | Cinderella | Fairy Godmother | Theatre Royal, Newcastle |
| 2006–2007 | Jack and the Beanstalk | Mother Nature | Theatre Royal, Newcastle |
| 2007 | Uncle Vanya | Sonya | Birmingham Rep |
| 2008 | Surviving Spike | Norma Farnes | Theatre Royal, Windsor |
| 2009 | Calendar Girls | Cora | Noël Coward Theatre |
| 2010 | Legally Blonde | Paulette Bonafonté | Savoy Theatre |
| Jill Halfpenny Celebrates the Great British Songbook | Host | Wilton's Music Hall | |
| 2012 | Abigail's Party | Julia | Menier Chocolate Factory; Wyndham's Theatre |
| 2015 | Way Upstream | Emma | Chichester Festival Theatre |
| 2018 | The Girl on the Train | Rachel | Leeds Playhouse |
| 2019 | In a Word | Fiona | Young Vic |
| 2024 | A Taste of Honey | Helen | Royal Exchange |
· Accolades
2011
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
| 2004 | British Soap Awards | Sexiest Female | EastEnders | Nominated | |
| 2007 | TV Quick Awards | Best Actress | Waterloo Road | Won | |
| 2011 | Theatregoers' Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Musical | Legally Blonde | Won | |
| Laurence Olivier Awards | Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical | Won |
References
- The Daily Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-features/9099136/Jill-Halfpenny-the-life-and-soul-of-Abigails-Party.html
- Metrohttps://metro.co.uk/2018/01/18/13-martin-platts-biggest-storylines-sean-wilson-returns-coronation-street-7239426/
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a16160/confirmed-eastenders-actress-axed/
- BBC Onlinehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3SrnNWGP5ZNTVVwvvtlBS6D/jill-halfpenny
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a17638/jill-halfpenny-to-star-in-chicago/
- British Theatre Guidehttps://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/thebodies-rev
- Digital Spyhttps://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a17638/jill-halfpenny-to-star-in-chicago/
- Jill Halfpenny on Catherine Tatehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FF95JjCdaM
- Chronicle Livehttps://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/shame-on-you-1521629
- The Guardianhttps://theguardian.com/media/2005/sep/02/bbc.broadcasting
- RTÉ Newshttps://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2007/0904/411043-tvawards/
- The Tabhttps://thetab.com/uk/2021/12/24/eight-waterloo-road-deaths-still-have-me-sobbing-233209
- The Guardianhttps://theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2007/may/04/fatmanswarningadepressing
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/surviving-spike-theatre-royal-windsor-779681.html
- Calendar Girlshttps://playbill.com/article/west-ends-calendar-girls-welcomes-hall-brown-dobson-and-more-com-163087
- "Davison & Halfpenny Go Blonde with Final Casting"https://web.archive.org/web/20090912040511/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831252574345/Davison+%26+Halfpenny+Go+Blonde+with+Final+Casting.html
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2010/legit/reviews/legally-blonde-1117941881/
- The Guardianhttps://theguardian.com/stage/2010/jan/17/review-legally-blonde
- Full List: 2011 Whatsonstage.com Award Winners, whatsonstage.com, 20 February 2011. Archived 4 November 2012 at the Waybhttp://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831298005472/Full+List%3A+2011+Whatsonstage.com+Award+Winners.html
- Playbillhttps://web.archive.org/web/20121020093150/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/148730-Legally-Blonde-Into-the-Woods-Clybourne-Park-After-the-Dance-Among-Olivier-Award-Winners-in-London
- BBC Onlinehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17817942
- The Guardianhttps://theguardian.com/stage/2012/mar/11/abigails-party-menier-chocolate-review
- The Northern Echohttps://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/latest/10254634.lightfields-itv1-9pm/
- Evening Chroniclehttp://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/29-stunning-pictures-great-north-7724392
- Evening Standardhttps://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/way-upstream-theatre-review-dark-nasty-and-surreal-at-festival-theatre-chichester-10211910.html
- The Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/11747071/Humans-episode-six-review-action-packed.html
- The Guardianhttps://theguardian.com/media/2015/jun/22/humans-becomes-channel-4s-biggest-drama-hit-in-20-years
- BBC Onlinehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/r2-music-highlights-summer
- BBC Onlinehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0000808
- BBC Onlinehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bdb81k
- The Weekhttps://theweek.com/84377/bbc-drama-three-girls-denies-pushing-far-right-agenda
- The Guardianhttps://theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/21/three-girls-tv-review-coronation-street-ivanka-trump-the-real-lady-veep
- BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44167320
- The Yorkshire Posthttps://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/review-the-girl-on-the-train-west-yorkshire-playhouse-585463
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/jill-halfpenny-dark-money-bbc-eastenders-waterloo-road-strictly-interview-a9002746.html
- The Guardianhttps://theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/feb/01/the-drowning-review-mistaken-identity-or-a-shocking-mystery
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/the-long-shadow-itv-review/
- Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/jill-halfpenny-shocked-long-shadow-newsupdate/
- The Weekhttps://theweek.com/culture-life/theatre/a-taste-of-honey-review
- The i Paperhttps://inews.co.uk/culture/television/the-cuckoo-review-channel-5-2995803
- Caledonian Travelhttps://www.caledonian.com/blog/post/42-caledonian-tv-advert-2024
- Qvoicehttps://qvoice.co.uk/voice-artists/index.php?profile=jill-halfpenny
- The Booksellerhttps://www.thebookseller.com/rights/jill-halfpennys-memoir-goes-to-pan-macmillan
- BBC Onlinehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/image_galleries/northumbria_icons_jill_halfpenny_gallery.shtml
- Heart.co.ukhttps://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/how-old-jill-halfpenny-eastenders-partner-children/
- "The Drowning star Jill Halfpenny opens up on partner's sudden death"https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/drowning-star-jill-halfpenny-opens-4952171
- [1] Archived 24 May 2011 at the Wayback Machinehttp://www.kidscape.org.uk/info/staffpatronlist.asp
- The Northern Echohttp://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/NEWS/10794634.North_East_actress_Jill_Halfpenny_presented_with_Freedom_of_Borough_of_Gateshead/?ref=rss
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/nov/21/tv-tonight-aimee-lou-wood-and-david-morrissey-daddy-issues-returns
- Great British Lifehttps://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/celebrity-interviews/22634618.jill-halfpenny-loves-wandering-around-leeds/
- Jumping the Waveshttps://x.com/steeltheatreco/status/1032693040505389057?s=46&t=piBoFH90n0eOUL4Yhdd9hA
- Legally Blondehttps://playbill.com/article/legally-blondes-jill-halfpenny-to-celebrate-the-great-british-songbook-at-londons-wiltons-music-hall-com-170752
- "British Television Soap Awards"https://web.archive.org/web/20080202094430/http://www.thecustard.tv/linksandlists/soapawards.html