---
name: "Kelly Macdonald"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/kelly-macdonald"
fi1m_id: "kelly-macdonald"
imdb_id: "nm0531808"
tmdb_id: 9015
wikidata_id: "Q230383"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "23 February 1976"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 21
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 20
updated: "2026-10-07T18:35:00.320188+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Kelly Macdonald

## Identity

Kelly Macdonald

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/kelly-macdonald
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** kelly-macdonald
- **IMDb ID:** nm0531808
- **TMDB ID:** 9015
- **Wikidata ID:** Q230383
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Macdonald, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230383, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0531808/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9015

Actor. Born 23 February 1976 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 23 February 1976, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- **Active:** 1996–present
- **Also known as:** Kelly MacDonald
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 21: 20 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Jamie Sives](https://film.one/person/jamie-sives.md), [Matthew Macfadyen](https://film.one/person/matthew-macfadyen.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 20 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 85 (2), 2000s 80 (5), 2010s 71 (10), 2020s 68 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 70 across 17 titles
- **Score spread:** 9 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 12 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 15, Crime 9, Mystery 8, Adventure 3, Fantasy 3, History 3
- **Screen time:** 21 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,065m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Macdonald, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230383, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0531808/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9015

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Giri/Haji*](https://film.one/tv/giri-haji.md) (84), [*Dept. Q*](https://film.one/tv/dept-q.md) (74), [*Operation Mincemeat*](https://film.one/film/operation-mincemeat.md) (66), [*Holmes & Watson*](https://film.one/film/holmes-and-watson.md) (24)
- **Apple TV:** [*No Country for Old Men*](https://film.one/film/no-country-for-old-men.md) (91), [*The Victim*](https://film.one/tv/the-victim.md) (76)
- **HBO Max:** [*Boardwalk Empire*](https://film.one/tv/boardwalk-empire.md) (80), [*Lanterns*](https://film.one/tv/lanterns.md) (68)
- **Disney+:** [*Brave*](https://film.one/film/brave.md) (73)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Kelly Macdonald

> Kelly Macdonald makes quiet certainty interesting: her characters seem to have noticed more than they intend to say. We value her dry assurance in ensembles, though busy plots can leave too little space for the people she plays.

Kelly Macdonald’s Sheriff Kerry Kane in *Lanterns* (2026) is unimpressed by visitors and certain she knows her town better than they do. There is pleasure in how little she seems to need their approval. Her dryness gives the authority some humour, and her confidence never feels like an invitation to admire the performance. We want the programme to spend time with her, which is useful in a crime drama whose plot has trouble staying put.

That ability to hold our attention in company runs through a career built largely in supporting parts. After Diane in *Trainspotting* (1996), there were parts in Robert Altman’s *Gosford Park* (2001) and the Coen brothers’ *No Country for Old Men* (2007). The West Texas accent in the latter is a useful reminder of the technical work behind her apparent ease. Playing Margaret Thompson in *Boardwalk Empire* (2010–2014) gave her a sustained leading role in television.

We warmed to *Dept. Q* (2025) when Macdonald’s Dr Rachel Irving was given space alongside the ensemble, because their awkward exchanges made us care before the writing pressed for sympathy. Her assurance is welcome in a series that can become too occupied with complicating its case. Alexej Manvelov and Leah Byrne contribute to that pleasure too; these actors are worth watching together. Macdonald does not need to dominate the group to make her presence count.

There is a limit to what such steadiness can do. *Dept. Q* lets its middle episodes drag and occasionally insists on feelings the actors have already earned. In *Lanterns*, Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre make a compelling pair, and even a supporting cast this good cannot excuse how often the programme cuts away from them. We would start with *Dept. Q*, with some patience for an investigation that takes longer than it needs.

## Biography

Kelly Macdonald is a Scottish actress. She made her film debut in *Trainspotting* (1996) as Diane. Her other film roles include Carla Jean Moss in *No Country for Old Men* (2007), Helena Ravenclaw in *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2* (2011), and the voice of Merida in *Brave* (2012).

On television, Macdonald won a Primetime Emmy Award for *The Girl in the Cafe* (2005) and was nominated for *Boardwalk Empire* (2010–2014), in which she played Margaret Thompson. She has also appeared in *Black Mirror* (2016), *Giri/Haji* (2019) and *Line of Duty* (2021).

More recent credits include Dr Rachel Irving in the series *Dept. Q* (2025) and Sheriff Kerry Kane in *Lanterns* (2026).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, variety.com, slashfilm.com.*

## On Fi1m (21)

### Performed in (20) — the average rests on these

- *Lanterns* (2026), Fi1m 68, as Sheriff Kerry Kane — [page](https://film.one/tv/lanterns.md)
- *Dept. Q* (2025), Fi1m 74, as Dr Rachel Irving — [page](https://film.one/tv/dept-q.md)
- *Operation Mincemeat* (2022), Fi1m 66, as Jean Leslie — [page](https://film.one/film/operation-mincemeat.md)
- *Giri/Haji* (2019), Fi1m 84, as Sarah — [page](https://film.one/tv/giri-haji.md)
- *The Victim* (2019), Fi1m 76, as Anna Dean — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-victim.md)
- *Holmes & Watson* (2018), Fi1m 24, as Martha Hudson — [page](https://film.one/film/holmes-and-watson.md)
- *Ralph Breaks the Internet* (2018), Fi1m 66, as Merida (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/ralph-breaks-the-internet.md)
- *Anna Karenina* (2012), Fi1m 64, as Dolly — [page](https://film.one/film/anna-karenina.md)
- *Brave* (2012), Fi1m 73, as Merida (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/brave.md)
- *Line of Duty* (2012), Fi1m 79, as DCI Jo Davidson — [page](https://film.one/tv/line-of-duty.md)
- *Black Mirror* (2011), Fi1m 81, as Karin Parke — [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2* (2011), Fi1m 83, as Helena Ravenclaw — [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2.md)
- *Boardwalk Empire* (2010), Fi1m 80, as Margaret Schroeder — [page](https://film.one/tv/boardwalk-empire.md)
- *No Country for Old Men* (2007), Fi1m 91, as Carla Jean Moss — [page](https://film.one/film/no-country-for-old-men.md)
- *Finding Neverland* (2004), Fi1m 64, as Peter Pan — [page](https://film.one/film/finding-neverland.md)
- *State of Play* (2003), Fi1m 88, as Della Smith — [page](https://film.one/tv/state-of-play.md)
- *Alias* (2001), Fi1m 74, as Kiera MacLaine / Meghan Keene — [page](https://film.one/tv/alias.md)
- *Gosford Park* (2001), Fi1m 85, as Mary Maceachran — [page](https://film.one/film/gosford-park.md)
- *Elizabeth* (1998), Fi1m 82, as Isabel Knollys — [page](https://film.one/film/elizabeth.md)
- *Trainspotting* (1996), Fi1m 88, as Diane — [page](https://film.one/film/trainspotting.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Pulp: What Do You Do for an Encore?* (2026), Fi1m 65, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/pulp-what-do-you-do-for-an-encore.md)

## Complete filmography (66)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Lanterns* (2026), series, as Sheriff Kerry Kane — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/lanterns.md)
- *Dept. Q* (2025), series, as Dr Rachel Irving — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/dept-q.md)
- *Star Wars: Skeleton Crew* (2024), series, as Pokkit
- *The Radleys* (2024), as Helen Radley
- *Typist Artist Pirate King* (2023), as Sandra Panza
- *I Came By* (2022), as Lizzie Nealey
- *Operation Mincemeat* (2022), as Jean Leslie — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/operation-mincemeat.md)
- *Truth Seekers* (2020), series, as JoJo 74
- *Dirt Music* (2020), as Georgie
- *Giri/Haji* (2019), series, as Sarah — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/giri-haji.md)
- *The Victim* (2019), series, as Anna Dean — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-victim.md)
- *Holmes & Watson* (2018), as Martha Hudson — Fi1m 24, [page](https://film.one/film/holmes-and-watson.md)
- *Ralph Breaks the Internet* (2018), as Merida (voice) — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/ralph-breaks-the-internet.md)
- *Angela Carter: Of Wolves & Women* (2018), as Reader
- *Puzzle* (2018), as Agnes
- *The Child in Time* (2018), as Julie Lewis
- *Goodbye Christopher Robin* (2017), as Olive Rand / Nou
- *T2 Trainspotting* (2017), as Diane
- *Urban Myths* (2017), series, as Princess Margaret
- *The Journey Is the Destination* (2016), as Duff
- *Swallows and Amazons* (2016), as Mrs. Walker
- *Special Correspondents* (2016), as Claire Maddox
- *Strap Hanging* (2014), Actor
- *Anna Karenina* (2012), as Dolly — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/anna-karenina.md)
- *Line of Duty* (2012), series, as DCI Jo Davidson — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/line-of-duty.md)
- *Brave* (2012), as Merida (voice) — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/brave.md)
- *Black Mirror* (2011), series, as Karin Parke — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2* (2011), as Helena Ravenclaw — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2.md)
- *The Decoy Bride* (2011), as Katie Nic Aodh
- *Boardwalk Empire* (2010), series, as Margaret Schroeder, Margaret Thompson — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/boardwalk-empire.md)
- *Skellig* (2009), as Louise
- *In the Electric Mist* (2009), as Kelly Drummond
- *Choke* (2008), as Paige Marshall
- *The Merry Gentleman* (2008), as Kate Frazier
- *No Country for Old Men* (2007), as Carla Jean Moss — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/no-country-for-old-men.md)
- *All the Invisible Children* (2006), as Jonathan's wife (segment "Jonathan")
- *Lassie* (2005), as Jeanie
- *Nanny McPhee* (2005), as Evangeline
- *A Cock and Bull Story* (2005), as Jenny
- *The Girl in the Café* (2005), as Gina
- *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (2005), as Reporter
- *Finding Neverland* (2004), as Peter Pan — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/finding-neverland.md)
- *Intermission* (2003), as Deirdre
- *State of Play* (2003), series, as Della Smith — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/state-of-play.md)
- *Brush with Fate* (2003), as Aletta Pieters
- *Gosford Park* (2001), as Mary Maceachran — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/gosford-park.md)
- *Alias* (2001), series, as Kiera MacLaine / Meghan Keene — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/alias.md)
- *Strictly Sinatra* (2001), as Irene
- *Some Voices* (2000), as Laura
- *House!* (2000), as Linda
- *Two Family House* (2000), as Mary O'Neary
- *Entropy* (1999), as Pia
- *Tube Tales* (1999), as Emma (segment "Mr. Cool")
- *Splendor* (1999), as Mike
- *My Life So Far* (1999), as Elspeth Pettigrew
- *The Loss of Sexual Innocence* (1999), as Susan
- *Elizabeth* (1998), as Isabel Knollys — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/elizabeth.md)
- *Cousin Bette* (1998), as Hortense Hulot
- *Stella Does Tricks* (1997), as Stella
- *Flowers of the Forest* (1996), as Amy Ogilvie
- *Dead Eye Dick* (1996), Actor
- *Trainspotting* (1996), as Diane — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/trainspotting.md)
- *Dancing, Some Days* (1996), as Sharon
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Amy Ogilvie
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Aletta  Pieters
- *Dennis*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Kelly Macdonald](https://film.one/media/person/22095/gallery-40fe6a6e3ffa.jpg) Kelly Macdonald — KellyMacdonaldOct07.jpg: Mark Rabinowitz at http://www.rabbireport.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/KellyMacdonaldOct07_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Kelly Macdonald, who voices Merida, arrives at the premiere of Disney Pixar's new blockbuster Brave at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Credit: Matt Petit / Fe (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/22095/gallery-f878d79d164d.jpg) Kelly Macdonald, who voices Merida, arrives at the premiere of Disney Pixar's new blockbuster Brave at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Credit: Matt Petit / Fe (2012) — Scottish Government, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Kelly_Macdonald_at_Brave_premiere.jpg/1280px-Kelly_Macdonald_at_Brave_premiere.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Kelly Macdonald, who voices Merida, arrives at the premiere of Disney Pixar's new blockbuster Brave at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Credit: Matt Petit / Fe (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/22095/gallery-bbe97c5c58bc.jpg) Kelly Macdonald, who voices Merida, arrives at the premiere of Disney Pixar's new blockbuster Brave at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Credit: Matt Petit / Fe (2012) — Scottish Government, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Kelly_Macdonald_at_Brave_premiere_%287399126166%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Kelly Macdonald](https://film.one/media/person/22095/gallery-231723904437.jpg) Kelly Macdonald — Image via TMDB
- ![Kelly Macdonald](https://film.one/media/person/22095/gallery-eb8567c49409.jpg) Kelly Macdonald — Image via TMDB
- ![Kelly Macdonald](https://film.one/media/person/22095/gallery-76902766a583.jpg) Kelly Macdonald — Image via TMDB
- ![Kelly Macdonald](https://film.one/media/person/22095/gallery-017c8b3fa8ed.jpg) Kelly Macdonald — Image via TMDB
- ![Kelly Macdonald](https://film.one/media/person/22095/gallery-69723edd8e39.jpg) Kelly Macdonald — Image via TMDB
- ![Kelly Macdonald](https://film.one/media/person/22095/gallery-fe4701d02fe4.jpg) Kelly Macdonald — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2006: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *The Girl in the Café*

### SAG Awards — 1 won

- 2012: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (won), for *Boardwalk Empire*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/kelly-macdonald