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Roxanne McKee

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Roxanne McKee
McKee at Collectormania in 2012
Born (1980-08-10) 10 August 1980 (age 44)
Canada
OccupationActress
Years active2005–present

Roxanne McKee (born 10 August 1980)[1][2] is a Canadian-born British[3] actress. She is best known for playing Louise Summers in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks (2005–2008), Lou Foster in the BBC Three drama series Lip Service (2010), Doreah in the HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones (2011–2012) and Lady Claire Riesen in the Syfy apocalyptic supernatural series Dominion (2014–2015). She has also starred in films including Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines (2012), Vendetta (2013) and The Legend of Hercules (2014).

Early life and education

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McKee was born in Canada to Irish parents,[4][5] and has additional paternal Scottish ancestry. She went to school in Sussex.[6] In 2005 she completed a BA degree in Social Policy & Political Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London in 2005. Before securing her first acting roles, McKee worked in various occupations, including as a waitress, a recruitment consultant and in Human resources.[2][6] She did not attend drama school.[2]

Career

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2005–2008: Hollyoaks

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McKee auditioned for the role of Hollyoaks character Louise Summers in 2004 as part of Hollyoaks: On the Pull, a nationwide search to find a new actor.[7][8] After being chosen from over 35,000 applicants, McKee began portraying Louise, who was introduced by series producer David Hanson in 2005.[6]

In 2008, McKee hinted at a possible exit for her character, despite refusing claims that she wanted to leave.[9] She told Look magazine: "I'm not going to be there forever. I don't mind the long hours but I'll have been doing that for four years in October when my contract ends."[10] After her contract ended in October 2008, McKee decided to leave the show to focus on other projects, mainly theatre.[11] Several months after her final on-screen appearance, tabloid newspapers began to speculate that McKee would reprise the role to coincide with the exit of Jamie Lomas's character, Warren.[12] McKee had previously told Digital Spy: "Well, Louise might not be dead! That's the exciting twist in the future....On screen, you'll feel like she's dead but depending on me and whether I want to come back for an episode in March — I might be back. I filmed an extra scene showing that I'm still alive. There are flashbacks which show me being killed, but then there's a flashback which viewers won't see for a while, that will be used if I choose to come back for the episode. I kind of want to come back and finish off Louise's storyline, but at the moment, I might be doing something else. It would be really good, though — I'd be going back to kill a few people off."[12]

Following McKee's decision to leave the show, she said: "I have enjoyed my time at Hollyoaks immensely and I'm going to really miss everyone at Lime Pictures. I have learned so much and will take away with me many happy memories — not just from everyone I have worked with but from Liverpool as a city too, which has become my second home. I know I will shed a few tears on the day I leave but I am so excited about what the future holds."[13] Hollyoaks series producer Bryan Kirkwood commented on her departure, stating: "As well as being the nation's sexiest soap star for two years running, Roxanne has worked incredibly hard to prove herself as a talented actress. She has been at the centre of one of our biggest storylines for the past two years and her exit scenes will be a fitting climax. Roxanne is a real star in the making and I'm sure this won't be the last that we hear of her."[13] McKee says she was asked to return to the role about a year after leaving the show, but she declined.[14]

McKee won the award 'Sexiest Female' at The British Soap Awards in 2007 and 2008, an award she had been nominated for in 2006 and 2009.[15][16] McKee was also won 'Sexiest Female' at the Inside Soap Awards in 2007 and 2008.[17][6] In 2008 she was also nominated for 'Best Actress'.[citation needed] Virgin Media profiled some of Hollyoaks' "hottest females" in their opinion, of Louise they stated: "It's no surprise that sultry Roxanne McKee was voted sexiest soap star for two years running at the British Soap Awards. She's so foxy that even on-screen fiancé Warren was sad he had to finish her off."[18]

2008–2010: She's like a Star, Lip Service

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Post-Hollyoaks, McKee said "that when you come out of a soap opera people see you in a different light and since Hollyoaks I have consciously tried to pick roles that are challenging and different".[19]

In 2008, McKee appeared in the Taio Cruz music video for "She's like a Star", filmed in Spain. Cruz, who is good friends with McKee, personally asked her to appear in the video as his love interest.[20][21] On casting McKee, Cruz said: "Why Roxanne? She's fit and I wanted her in my video! I'm only joking. I've known Roxanne for some time... We needed an actress who wouldn't feel awkward doing the mock love scenes so I just rang her and she agreed to do it. It was a case of canoodling for a few hours in sunny Spain".[21] Most scenes in the video take place in a large house. Throughout the video, the pair are touching and kissing with each other, and McKee is shown in the bathtub. In the concluding scenes, she leaves the house and is depicted as a bright star that travels towards the sky, while Cruz stands in front of the house by the pool.[22]

In July 2009, McKee became the face of Clothes Show Live, stating: "I've always watched it on TV and wanted to go, so I'm very flattered to be part of such a huge event".[23] In 2010, she was cast in a small role in the on-line drama EastEnders: E20, playing bisexual character Pippa.[24][2] She also appeared in Johannes Roberts' hooligan horror film F[25][26] and BBC Two's sitcom The Persuasionists.[27][28]

In 2010, McKee appeared in BBC Three's lesbian drama Lip Service, set in Glasgow. She played Lou Foster, a closeted television presenter from Northern Ireland who falls in love with Tess (Fiona Button).[6][19][25] McKee was originally asked to audition for Frankie, Ruta Gedmintas's role. Regarding her performance, McKee stated that she wanted to make Lou more rounded and less one-dimensional: "She has her reasons for being the way she is and hopefully the audience can see that".[19]

2011–2015: Game of Thrones, Dominion

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In 2010, George R. R. Martin announced that McKee had been cast as Doreah in Game of Thrones, the HBO fantasy drama series based on his best-selling novels.[5] This is perhaps her best-known role.[29] In January 2011, she expressed excitement for being a part of the show.[30]

She’s bright, quick-witted, and she’s got an instinct to survive. And she knows that that’s a way to control people, with sexuality. People do it all the time. She uses her femininity and her sexuality because she doesn’t have anything else... I think she just had a survivor instinct in her.[3]

— McKee, on her character Doreah.

The series was filmed in Ireland and required her to learn horse riding.[19] For her work in the series, she was nominated alongside her cast members for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series at the 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards.[31][32] Doreah is initially a handmaiden to Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) but eventually betrays Daenerys. She is last seen being imprisoned in season 2's Valar Morghulis.[33][34] According to McKee, "there was talk of going back at some stage, but I think that will be knocked on the head now".[3]

In 2012, McKee appeared in the horror sequel Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines.[35][36][37] She played Blanche de Vesci, a Crusader's daughter, in the historical war film Ironclad: Battle for Blood,[38] and Queen Alcmene in The Legend of Hercules, both released in 2014.[29]

From 2014 to 2015, McKee played Claire Riesen in the Syfy series Dominion.[3][39] Her character is a socialite who develops a romance with the series' protagonist.[40][41][14] McKee has noted the similarities between Claire and her previous role Doreah.[3][6]

2015–Present: Subsequent roles

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She played soldier Natalie Reynolds in the action television series Strike Back: Retribution.[42]

In 2020 McKee played Amanda Eastman in Picture Perfect Royal Christmas[43] and Eve in season 2 of the CW sci-fi show Pandora.[44][45] In 2023 she appeared in The Admirer.[46] She will play Xana in the upcoming horror film Bambi: The Reckoning.[47]

Personal life

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On her work, McKee said in 2015:

"I rarely watch the stuff I’m in. I don’t like it. The best thing to do is do it, and put your heart and soul into it, then go out and have a glass of wine. It’s just a job."[6]

McKee rock climbs,[6][48] and as of 2011 she co-owned a nightclub in Leeds.[8]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes Ref
2010 F Nicky Wright [25][26]
2012 Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines Lita [37]
2013 Vendetta Morgan Vickers [49][29]
2014 The Legend of Hercules Queen Alcmene [29]
2014 Ironclad: Battle for Blood Blanche [38][29]
2019 Inside Man: Most Wanted Ariella Barash [50]
2020 Picture Perfect Royal Christmas Amanda Eastman [43][51]
2023 The Admirer Nancy Williams [46]
2025 Bambi: The Reckoning Xana Post-production [47]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Ref
2005 Hollyoaks: No Going Back Louise Summers Main role [6][9]
2005–2008 Hollyoaks Louise Summers Main role, 278 episodes [6][9]
2010 The Persuasionists Christine / Agency Worker Episode: "Cockney Cheese", "The Handsomeness" [27][28]
2010 EastEnders: E20 Pippa Episode #2.2 [24]
2010 Lip Service Lou Foster 4 episodes [25]
2012 Lewis Briony Keagan Episode: "Generation of Vipers" [29]
2011–2012 Game of Thrones Doreah Recurring role (seasons 1–2), 11 episodes [33][30]
2014 Alt Suzy Television film [29]
2014–2015 Dominion Claire Riesen Main role [3]
2016 Crossfire Samantha "Sam" Harrison Television film [52]
2017–2018 Strike Back: Retribution Captain Natalie Reynolds Main role (season 6) [42]
2019 Paris, Wine & Romance Lacey Television film [53]
2020 Pandora Eve Recurring role (season 2) [44][45]

Awards and nominations

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2006

2007

2008

2012

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References

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  1. ^ @rte_entertainmentonline (10 August 2024). "Happy 44th birthday to Roxanne McKee, born August 10, 1980" – via Instagram.
  2. ^ a b c d "Filmography - Roxanne McKee". Union Films. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Vineyard, Jennifer (5 August 2014). "Roxanne McKee on Game of Thrones, Anthony Stewart Head, and Hoping Dark Willow Comes to Dominion". Vulture. Retrieved 20 September 2024. "Vulture caught up with Roxanne McKee, the British actress who plays Claire... I can think of a whole load, but I’m British."{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  4. ^ @Roxanne_Mckee (22 June 2016). "I was born in Canada. My parents are Irish. These girls are more English than me. Stop xenophobic ignorance" (Tweet) – via Twitter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ a b Martin, George R.R. (28 July 2010). "You Guys Are Scary Good". Not a Blog. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Christie, Janet (28 June 2015). "Roxanne McKee keeps it real in fantasy drama". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Hollyoaks: Desperately Seeking - History". E4. (Channel 4 Television Corporation). 2009. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  8. ^ a b "Roxanne McKee and Jennifer Metcalfe". BBC. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Green, Kris (27 February 2008). "Louise sticking with the 'Oaks". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  10. ^ Fletcher, Alex (28 May 2008). "McKee hints at Hollyoaks departure". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  11. ^ "Roxanne McKee quits 'Oaks". What's On TV. (IPC Media). 28 October 2008. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  12. ^ a b Green, Kris (17 March 2009). "McKee to return to Hollyoaks". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  13. ^ a b Green, Kris (28 October 2008). "McKee to leave Hollyoaks at Xmas". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  14. ^ a b "8 questions with Roxanne McKee". Digital Spy. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  15. ^ Kris Green and Daniel Kilkelly (10 May 2009). "The British Soap Awards 2009". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  16. ^ Green, Kris (27 May 2007). "The British Soap Awards 2007". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  17. ^ Green, Kris (3 July 2007). "The Inside Soap Awards 2007". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  18. ^ "Louise Summers (Roxanne McKee) - Hollyoaks hall of babes". Virginmedia.com. (Virgin Media Inc.). Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  19. ^ a b c d "Great LezBritain: Interview with Roxanne McKee of "Lip Service"". After Ellen. 1 November 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  20. ^ "Exclusive interview: Taio Cruz". Sugar. Hearst Magazines. 31 July 2008. Archived from the original on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  21. ^ a b "It's nice work if you can get it!". Birmingham Mail. Trinity Mirror. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  22. ^ "She's Like a Star Video". MTV UK. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 13 August 2009. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
  23. ^ Daniel Kilkelly. "'McKee fronts Clothes Show Live campaign". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  24. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (29 July 2010). "'EastEnders' announces new 'E20' cast". Digital Spy. London. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  25. ^ a b c d "Lip Service: Roxanne McKee plays Lou". BBC - Press Office. 17 September 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  26. ^ a b Gant, Charles (20 September 2010). "F". Variety. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  27. ^ a b Guide, British Comedy. "The Persuasionists Series 1, Episode 1 - Cockney Cheese". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  28. ^ a b "The Persuasionists Series 1, Episode 2 - The Handsomeness". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  29. ^ a b c d e f g "Roxanne McKee". SYFY Official Site. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  30. ^ a b Morgan Jeffery (25 January 2011). "McKee 'excited by Game of Thrones role'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  31. ^ Nominations Announced for the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® (PDF), Los Angeles, 14 December 2011, archived (PDF) from the original on 28 March 2016, retrieved 21 September 2024{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  32. ^ "Roxanne McKee - Actress, Model". TV Insider. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  33. ^ a b "Doreah - Game of Thrones". TVmaze. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  34. ^ A, Nathan; Matsunaga, Ryan; Claiborn, Samuel (2 April 2012). "Doreah - Game Of Thrones Guide". IGN. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  35. ^ Full Cast For Now-Filming 'Wrong Turn 5'!, Bloody-disgusting.com, 2 May 2012; retrieved 28 November 2015.
  36. ^ "Exclusive: Wrong Turn 5 Wraps, Extensive Photo Gallery and Update!". 8 May 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  37. ^ a b James, Jonathan (30 April 2012). "Cast and Plot Details for Wrong Turn 5". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  38. ^ a b Felperin, Leslie (11 July 2014). "'Ironclad: Battle for Blood': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  39. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (13 October 2015). "'Dominion' Canceled After 2 Seasons By Syfy". Deadline. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  40. ^ Conrad, Erin (1 July 2014). "Dominion: Talking with Tom Wisdom & Roxanne McKee, Part 1 & Episode 3 Preview". Three If By Space. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  41. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (5 September 2013). "Christopher Egan To Star, Alan Dale & Tom Wisdom To Co-Star In Syfy Pilot 'Dominion'". Deadline. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  42. ^ a b Cinemax (23 January 2018). Meet the New Team: Captain Natalie Reynolds | Strike Back | Cinemax. Retrieved 21 September 2024 – via YouTube.
  43. ^ a b "10 Royal Christmas Movies to Live Your Fairy Tale Dreams: The Princess Switch, A Prince for Christmas and More". Leisure Byte. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  44. ^ a b Pickard, Michael (21 October 2020). "Outside the box". Drama Quarterly. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  45. ^ a b Collis, Clark (11 September 2020). "See first look at season 2 of the CW's sci-fi show 'Pandora'". EW.com. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  46. ^ a b Dyche, Olly (25 August 2023). "The Admirer Review: A Subpar and Predictable Thriller". MovieWeb. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  47. ^ a b Squires, John (15 December 2023). "Bambi: The Reckoning Exclusive Update: Cast and Director Announced for Bambi Horror Movie". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  48. ^ "Roxanne McKee". Future Fit. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
  49. ^ "Dyer's Vendetta to get UK release". Belfast Telegraph. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  50. ^ Morales, Wilson. "Now Playing On Netflix Is Inside Man: Most Wanted Starring Aml Ameen". BlackFilm.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  51. ^ IMDb
  52. ^ Incendo (2 December 2015). CROSSFIRE - Trailer (starring Roxanne McKee). Retrieved 21 September 2024 – via YouTube.
  53. ^ "Paris, Wine and Romance | UFO Film Studios". ufofilmstudios.com. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  54. ^ "Hollyoaks scoops six soap awards". BBC News. 4 May 2008.
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