Kathryn Drysdale


Kathryn Drysdale is an English actress known for her role as Grace Shelley in The West End show The Ruling Class opposite James McAvoy, as Taylor in the film St Trinian's, Rhoda Swartz in Mira Nair's Vanity Fair, and Louise Brooks in the BBC comedy series Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps from 2001 until her departure from the show in 2009. She has also starred in the fourth series of the ITV sitcom Benidorm and as Brownwell in William Boyd's award-winning Any Human Heart opposite Jim Broadbent. She previously worked with Broadbent on Mira Nair's feature adaptation of William Thackeray's Vanity Fair starring Reese Witherspoon. She played the role of mixed-race heiress Rhoda Swartz. She is also known for her role as Lizzie in the drama series Tripping Over by Mike Bullen. She appeared in Doctor Who as Bliss in the episode "Love & Monsters". She currently plays Meghan Markle in series 2 and 3 of The Windsors.
On stage she has appeared for The Donmar Warehouse, Royal Court and Royal Shakespeare Company in roles included Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Lady Katharine in Love's Labour's Lost opposite David Tennant. She voices the lead character of Bounce in the CBBC animation series Bottersnikes and Gumbles.

History

In 2006 Drysdale appeared in Catch at the Royal Court Theatre and in 2008 made her Royal Shakespeare Company debut in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Love's Labour's Lost.
In 2009 she appeared in Suddenlossofdignity.com at the Bush Theatre and on tour.
In 2012 Drysdale appeared in The Recruiting Officer at the Donmar Warehouse.

Personal life

Born to a black father and a white mother, Drysdale was adopted when she was a week old. She was bullied as a child. She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
Drysdale is a regular inspirational speaker at the London contemporary arts academy, 'Acting etc.'
Drysdale lives in London.

Filmography