Elaine Cassidy

Elaine Cassidy (born 31 December 1979) is an Irish actress. Her films include The Sun, the Moon and the Stars, Felicia's Journey (1999), The Others (2001), Disco Pigs (2002), And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007), (2015), Strangeways Here We Come (2018), The Wonder (2022), and The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023).

On television, her credits include The Ghost Squad (2005), Fingersmith (2005), Little White Lie (2008), Harper's Island (2009), The Paradise (2012), No Offence (2015–2018), Intruder (2021), and A Discovery of Witches (2021–2022), Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale (2024), Belgravia: The Next Chapter (2024) and The Lost World (2001).

Early life Cassidy was born in Raheny, and moved with her family to Kilcoole when she was three years old. In 1999, she played the starring role in Felicia's Journey, for which she was nominated Best Actress at the 20th Genie Awards. She was also nominated for an IFTA in 2005 as Best Actress in a Lead Role in Television for her role as "Maud Lilly" in the BBC BAFTA nominated drama Fingersmith,

In 2002, she appeared in the music video for Coldplay's "The Scientist". In 2011, she played Maureen in the TV film Just Henry.

In 2015, she played a main role of DC Dinah Kowalska in the Channel 4 drama series No Offence (2015–2018),

In 2022, she starred as Rosaleen O'Donnell in the Irish film The Wonder, alongside her own daughter Kila, who played "the wonder" and co-starring Florence Pugh. She received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Film at the 'Irish Film and Television Awards in 2023.

Personal life Cassidy married English actor Stephen Lord, whom she met on the set of The Truth, on 31 December 2007. They live in Greenwich, London, with their daughter Kíla, and their son.

Filmography

Film

Television Year Title Role

1995 Mission Top Secret Mary Episode: "The Crown Jewels Are Missing" 2001 Agnes Cluny Miniseries 2003 Watermelon Anna Ryan TV film

Uncle Adolf Geli Raubal TV film Fingersmith Maud Lilly Miniseries; 3 episodes Det. Amy Harris Main role; 8 episodes 2007 Lucy Honeychurch TV film 2008 Little White Lie Annie Mulcahy TV film 2009 Harper's Island Abby Mills Main role; 13 episodes

Just Henry Maureen Dodge TV film Brona McKinney TV film 2012–2013 Katherine Weston Main role; 16 episodes 2015–2018 No Offence DC Dinah Kowalska Main role; 21 episodes 2017 Acceptable Risk Sarah Manning Main role; 6 episodes

Awards Year Award Category Result Work Ref. 1996 Geneva Film Festival Most Promising Actress Won The Sun, the Moon and the Stars Genie Award Best Actress in a Leading Role Nominated 2001 EFP Shooting Stars Award Most promising international talent for Ireland Won Career achievement 2008 Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Feature Film Nominated And When Did You Last See Your Father? 2009 Best Actress in Television Nominated Little White Lie 2025 Best Actress in a Lead Role – Drama Nominated Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale