Everything you need to know about actress Jamie-Lee O'Donnell
She's a very talented actress!
Last updated 7th Oct 2024
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell needs little introduction really - from capturing our hearts with her role in Channel 4's Derry Girls, to her powerful performance in prison drama Screw, it's no surprise she quickly earned herself the title of one of Northern Ireland's national treasures. With her career dating back to 2012, there's a lot to know about the talented actress.
It's clear that Jamie-Lee isn't slowing down anytime soon, and we can't wait to see what she does next. As we wait to welcome her back to the box, let's take a look at the actress' career so far, from early days, to Derry Girls success, and everything in-between...
Who is Jamie-Lee O'Donnell?
Jamie-Lee is an actress from Northern Ireland. She began her acting career playing the role of Eva Maguire in the BBC NI TV series 6Degrees - about a group of university students living in Belfast - but, of course, rose to national fame when she landed the role of Michelle Mallon in Derry Girls, alongside other much-loved cast members such as Nicola Coughlan, Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Dylan Llewellyn.
Where is Jamie-Lee O'Donnell from?
Jamie-Lee was born and grew up in Derry, with a large family. She attended St Anne's Primary School, St Cecilia's College and North West Regional College.
How old is she?
Despite famously playing school-girl Michelle in Derry Girls from 2018-2022, Jamie-Lee O'Donnell is actually 37-years-old.
She was born on 4th March 1987, making her star sign a Pisces.
How did Jamie-Lee become famous?
Jamie-Lee began acting when she was young, performing in school plays and going on to study performing arts at De Montfort University upon graduating school. Dividing her time between England and Northern Ireland, Jamie-Lee took part in theatrical productions and worked as a dancer for promotions and pantomimes.
It was then in 2012, at the age of 25, that Jamie got her first big break, bagging the role of Eva Maguire, in the BBC2 NI series 6Degrees. Eva was a main character in the Northern Irish dramatic television series, which focuses on a group of university students living in Belfast.
Jamie-Lee starred in the show for three seasons, from 2012-2015. This was the beginning of a fruitful career in acting for the Northern Irish actress!
What else has Jamie-Lee O'Donnell been in?
6Degrees (2012 - 2015)
Jamie starred as Eva Maguire in the BBC Two Northern Ireland TV show 6Degrees. The show was a Northern Irish drama series about a group of university students living in Belfast, with Jamie-Lee starring in 18 episodes from 2012 - 2015.
I Told my Mum I was Going on an RE Trip (2018)
The actress also appeared in a TV movie titled I Told my Mum I was Going on an RE Trip. The film is a drama, that uses real interview transcripts, along with song and spoken word, to explore issues around abortion. Jamie-Lee plays the role of Leah.
Doing Money (2018)
Jamie-Lee then played the role of Fiona in 2018's Doing Money - a hard-hitting TV movie that follows the story of Ana - a young Romanian woman who is kidnapped in the middle of London by a trafficking gang, and sold into a human trafficking ring.
Derry Girls (2018 - 2022)
And, of course, we can't forget about Jamie-Lee's iconic performance in Channel 4's Derry Girls! Appearing in all three seasons as Michelle Mallon, we enjoyed seeing Jamie-Lee on the box as the show aired from 2018 - 2022. Jamie is perhaps most-known for her role in Derry Girls, with the show bagging multiple awards over the years.
The Fruit Fix (2020)
Another short film Jamie-Lee starred in was The Fruit Fix. Released in 2020, the short film revolves around Jamie-Lee's character, Hope, as she pursues her dreams while suffering with social anxiety.
Redeeming Love (2022)
More recently, Jamie-Lee appeared in the film Redeeming Love - playing the role of Lucky. As well as the wonderful Jamie-Lee O'Donnell, the film features many huge names - such as The Vampire Diaries' Nina Dobrev, Euphoria's Eric Dane and Fate: The Winx Saga's Abigail Cowen.
The Great Festive Bake Off (2020)
Now this one isn't quite an acting gig, but we can't forget about the Derry Girls cast's appearance on The Great Festive Bake Off 2020. From hilarious mishaps to accidentally grilling a sponge cake, it was certainly an episode to remember.
Unwelcome (2022)
Jamie-Lee appeared in the film Unwelcome in 2022, playing the role of Aisling Whelan. The film revolves around a couple who escape their urban nightmare by moving to a rural area in Ireland. The peaceful move is soon ruined as they discover 'malevolent and murderous goblins' in the woods next to their new home.
Lloyd of the Flies (2022)
Dabbling into the world of voice acting, Jamie-Lee lent her vocals to multiple episodes of Lloyd of the Flies - a comedy series aimed towards children and pre-teens, revolving around Lloyd, a young fly standing at one centimetre tall.
The Real Derry (2022)
The actress teamed up with Channel 4 in 2022 for an all-all documentary titled The Real Derry: Jamie-Lee O'Donnell. The documentary, which aired on Channel 4 in June 2022, gives us a closer look into Jamie-Lee's childhood growing up in Derry/Londonderry, and follows her upbringing in the Catholic community, and how things have changed in the city since then.
Screw (2022-2023)
In 2022, Jamie-Lee took on a more serious role as she starred in Channel 4's Screw - a TV prison drama which follows two prison officers - Rose Gill (played by Jamie-Lee) and Leigh Henry (played by Nina Sosanya) - as well as their colleagues, working in C-Wing of Long Marsh, a men's prison.
The Feud (2025)
Jamie will next appear in Channel 5 drama The Feud, set to air in 2025. Described as a "domestic thriller" about a family and their neighbours, the official synopsis reads: 'The close friendships in this seemingly peaceful street prove to be not quite as harmonious as they seem. When Emma and John decide to add a kitchen extension to their house, things quickly start to spin drastically out of control.
'As objections to the plans are raised, unexpected skeletons and life-threatening secrets begin to rise to the surface. Laced with menace, The Feud reveals how Emma's aspirational dream turns sharply into obsession, paranoia, and fear. One decision sets in motion events that have unforeseeable consequences for both her and the people living on her street.' Jamie-Lee will star as PC Gallagher, with the cast also made up of Jill Halfpenny, Larry Lamb, Amy Nuttall, Rupert Penry-Jones, Ray Fearon, James Fleet and Chris Gascoyne among others.
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell's documentary
In 2022, Jamie-Lee teamed up with Channel 4 on the documentary titled The Real Derry: Jamie-Lee O’Donnell. The show gave us a closer look at the actress' childhood, growing up in Derry/Londonderry, as well as her surrounding Catholic community and how things have changed in the city since then.
Alongside her warmth, wit and honesty, the Derry Girls star also discovered what life is like for young people growing up in Derry today. The show aired on Channel 4 on Thursday 16th June 2022, and is still available to stream.
The documentary bagged Jamie-Lee the Best On-Screen Talent Award at the RTS NI Awards 2023.
Jamie-Lee O'Donnell and Saoirse-Monica Jackson
We're sure you won't find it hard to believe, but the cast of Derry Girls struck up some pretty close friendships over their years on the show - with the likes of Nicola Coughlan, Saoirse-Monica Jackson and Jamie-Lee often sharing the love for one another on their socials.
Jamie-Lee and Saoirse-Monica have even holidayed together, with the pair heading to New York in 2022, as well as sharing snaps from their 'trip of a lifetime' to Romania for the show World's Most Dangerous Roads.
Is Jamie-Lee on Instagram?
She sure is - you can find her on Instagram with her handle jamie.lee.od.
Now read:
Derry Girls: Everything you need to know about the Northern Irish comedy
The ultimate Derry Girls playlist for 90s music fans
Everything you need to know about the wonderful Nicola Coughlan