Everything you need to know about popular actress Michelle Keegan
She's had an amazing career!
Last updated 26th Sep 2024
She's the name on everybody's lips right now thanks to her portrayal of Maya Stern in record-breaking Netflix series Fool Me Once. And with rumours rife that Michelle could be the next Bond girl, it seems the sky is the limit for the 37-year-old from Manchester.
As Michelle returns to our screens with Brassic series six, here's everything you need to know about the former Corrie barmaid, from her early life, to her career, and of course, THAT amazing house.
Who is Michelle Keegan?
Michelle Keegan is an English actress best known for her roles in Coronation Street, Our Girl, and 2024 Netflix smash hit Fool Me Once. Over the years, Michelle has become one of the most popular female actors in the UK, starring in some of the biggest TV shows around, and marrying former TOWIE star Mark Wright.
As well as working in the world of acting, Michelle has landed various brand deals in recent years, as well as having her own clothing range.
How old is she?
Michelle was born to parents Michael Keegan and Jackie Turner on 3rd June 1987, meaning she is currently 37-years-old.
Where is she from?
Michelle is a Northern lass and proud, having been born in Stockport in Greater Manchester.
What school did she go to?
Michelle went to St Patrick's RC High School in Eccles near Manchester, before studying at the Manchester School of Acting, the same place Suranne Jones studied.
How did she get famous?
Before making it big, Michelle actually worked at Selfridges in the Trafford Centre in Manchester, before later becoming a check-in agent at Manchester Airport.
Admitting she got into acting quite late on, Michelle got her first ever role at the age of just 20, after landing the role of Tina McIntyre in popular ITV soap opera Coronation Street, following just two auditions.
Bosses thought Michelle was so perfect for the role, with her beating 900 other people who auditioned.
What TV shows has Michelle Keegan been on?
2008–2014: Coronation Street
In what was her first ever acting role, Michelle landed the role of barmaid Tina McIntyre in long-running ITV soap Coronation Street in 2008.
Following just two auditions, Michelle was given the gig over 900 other people, with her landing some huge storylines during her six years on the show.
After 861 episodes, Michelle announced she'd made the decision to leave the Cobbles, with her character being killed off in June 2014.
2015: Ordinary Lies
In what was her first role after Corrie, Michelle starred in the first series of BBC show Ordinary Lies in 2015, playing the role of Tracy Shawcross.
The BBC drama was a six-part series written by Danny Brocklehurst, which followed JS Motors, a car dealership in Warrington, employing a number of 'ordinary' people, each with dark secrets.
Michelle appeared on the show alongside Max Beesley, Jo Joyner, Sally Lindsay and Jason Manford.
2016 and 2017: Drunk History
Michelle appeared on the first episode of the second series of Comedy Central show Drunk History in 2015. Michelle played the role of Queen Elizabeth I, alongside Jessica Knappett and Lydia Rose Bewley.
She later returned in series three, playing the role of Mary, Queen of Scots in episode two.
2016: Plebs
Starring in ITV2 comedy show Plebs, Michelle played the role of a Vestal Virgin named Ursula alongside Joel Fry's character Stylax in 2016. The episode involved Michelle's first ever on-screen sex scene.
2016-2020: Our Girl
In what was perhaps her biggest role since leaving Corrie, Michelle landed the main role of Lance Corporal Georgie Lane on BBC drama Our Girl between 2016-2020.
Appearing between series two and four, viewers fell in love with Michelle's character, with many gutted during the final ever episode in April 2020. Despite a number of rumours that the show would return for future series, the show's creator Tony Grounds said: "With the finale of series four showing Georgie ready to move on with her life, it feels like the right time for us to do the same.
"Michelle and I are keen to continue our working relationship and, who knows, maybe we'll catch up with Georgie in the future. I wanted to say a big thank you to the fans of the show, it's been a joy to write."
2017: Tina and Bobby
In 2017, Michelle landed the role of Tina Moore in ITV drama Tina and Bobby, which portrayed the relationship of footballer Bobby Moore and his wife Tina.
In the three-part drama, Michelle starred alongside Lorne MacFadyen as their characters fell in love at a young age and were forced to deal with Bobby's rise to fame as a professional footballer.
2019-Present: Brassic
Created by Joe Gilgun and Danny Brocklehurst, Michelle has starred in Sky One comedy series Brassic, playing the role of Erin Croft since 2019. The hit series, which is loved by fans, follows the lives of Vinnie and his friends in the fictional town of Hawley.
Series six of Brassic landed on Thursday 26th September.
2023: Ten Pound Poms
In 2023, Michelle appeared in BBC historical drama Ten Pound Poms, playing the role of British citizen Kate Thorne who migrated to Australia following World War 2. The six-part series aired on BBC One in May 2023. Michelle appears on the drama alongside Warren Brown, Faye Marsay, Rob Collins, David Field and Stephen Curry.
In February 2024, it was announced the show had been renewed for a second series, with Michelle confirmed to return! Filming started in April 2024.
2024: Fool Me Once
In what is her most-talked about role of her career so far, Michelle starred in Netflix's adaptation of Harlan Coben's Fool Me Once in early 2024. The eight-part thriller, which landed on New Year's Day, sees Michelle play the lead role of ex-soldier Maya Stern, as she investigates the murder of her husband Joe.
Also starring Joanna Lumley, Richard Armitage and Emmett J. Scanlan, the series has broken viewing figures for Netflix, with the series receiving a huge 37.1 million views in its first week, and hitting the Top 10 in 91 countries.
Michelle has also appeared on a number of panel and quiz shows over the years, including the likes of Lemon La Vida Loca, Who Do You Think You Are?, and RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs the World.
When did she leave Corrie?
Michelle played the role of Tina McIntyre for six years between 2008–2014, starring in 861 episodes.
The actress was involved in a number of huge storylines during her time on the show, before her character was killed off in June 2014.
Who is she married to?
Michelle is married to former TOWIE star Mark Wright, with the pair getting married on 24th May 2015 at St Mary's Church in Bury St Edmunds.
The happy couple actually first set eyes on each other when they were both guests backstage at The X Factor, and later bumped into each other at various events they both attended such as The National Television Awards, and a charity dinner at Manchester United Football Club.
Speaking to Jamie Laing on the Private Parts podcast, Mark confessed: "I chased her for a while. Basically she gave me the elbow for about a year and then finally I got my way, after a lot of work. I don't know who was harder to crack actually, her or my American boss.
"People were suspecting things but we genuinely wasn't dating. And then about literally a year later of us bumping into each other I finally sort of asked her out and it went from there."
Although Mark and Michelle do keep their relationship relatively private, the pair do occasionally post loved-up photos together on social media and they publicly celebrated their ninth anniversary in 2024.
Sharing photos from their wedding day, Mark wrote: 'Best 9 years of my life. Happy anniversary babe @michkeegan 💙'. (sic)
Does she have kids?
No, Michelle isn't a mum.
Michelle and her husband Mark have previously spoken about starting a family in the future, with Michelle telling Women's Health in 2018: "I've always been broody. I love kids, and I want four, so hopefully in the near future."
In 2023, rumours were rife that Michelle was left angered at fan comments on her photos asking when she was going to have children.
A source told New! Magazine at the time: "Michelle was really down after all the comments. It made her feel incredibly angry at all those anonymous people -who know nothing about her or what's going on in her life - being so bolshy and plain inappropriate.
"As far as she and Mark are concerned, their baby plans are private and have nothing to do with the public. No one knows what's going on behind closed doors and it infuriates her that people are so unaware of that.
"She refuses to be pressured and while she is longing to start a family, she wants to take things strictly on her terms."
Despite not being parents, Michelle and Mark are a proud auntie and uncle to a number of nieces and nephews.
Who has she dated in the past?
Before finding her soulmate in Mark Wright, Michelle dated a number of high profile people, and she was even engaged at one stage to The Wanted singer Max George.
2006-2008: Anthony Quinlan
2008-2010: Brad Howard
2010-2012: Max George
What's her net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Michelle is worth $4 million.
Is Michelle Keegan going to be in James Bond?
Following the success of her stint in Harlan Coben drama Fool Me Once, Michelle is now being tipped to become the newest Bond girl in the next James Bond movie.
An expert from Gambling.com said: "Michelle, who is 5/2 to be the next Bond Girl, started out in soaps, starring as barmaid Tina McIntyre in Coronation Street for six years. She already knows how to perfect a Martini. She could be an ideal MI6 colleague for Bond."
Despite the rumours, nothing has been confirmed.
Michelle Keegan's house
Michelle and her husband Mark purchased a property in Essex for £1.3 million in 2020, and after getting planning permission, the pair decided to demolish the house in order to re-build it to their standards.
Following a three-year renovation, the property is now valued at £3.5 million and both Michelle and Mark kept fans up to date via a home account Instagram page called wrightyhome.
In August 2023, the pair held a housewarming party with their closest family and friends, which showed off the extent of their stunning renovation. Sharing a video of the party on special media, the pair wrote: 'A long time coming. We did it!! Thanks to all our loved ones and the people that made it so special 💙 home!!' (sic)
The Essex mansion now boasts a swimming pool, a luxury kitchen, a gym, and spacious outdoor area.
Does Michelle Keegan have a clothing line?
It's no secret that Michelle is a true style icon, with searches for her Fool Me Once wardrobe going through the roof in January 2024.
With this in mind, it's no shock that Michelle does have her own clothing line, which is exclusive to Very.com.
Michelle released her first Very collection for 2024 in January. Sharing photos on Instagram, she wrote: 'It’s here!!! My 1st @veryuk collection for 2024 🎉 Hope you guys love it as much as I do. ♥️ #ad'. (sic)
Can Michelle Keegan fly a helicopter?
If you've seen Michelle in Netflix series Fool Me Once, you'll be aware that her character Maya Stern is an ex-Army helicopter pilot, which has led to fans wondering if she can actually fly a plane or helicopter in real life.
Although Michelle doesn't have a certified pilot's licence, she did take control of the helicopter for a brief moment for a scene in Fool Me Once.
Speaking on the Graham Norton show, Michelle said: "I flew it. We were filming the scene of going over the forest. It was me, the camera man and the pilot behind, so we had to get all the shots done or we would never get the chance again. I remember taking off and it was a glass bottom helicopter. It was awful. When we got half way there, the pilot said do you want to take over, take control? And I was like go on then."
Has she been on Strictly Come Dancing?
Although her husband Mark Wright took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, Michelle has never been a contestant on the show, but that's not because bosses haven't tried!
Michelle turned down the show when she was on Corrie, and she's since revealed she's been asked a number of other times, but has said no due to being 'too nervous'.
Is Michelle Keegan on social media?
She is, you can follow Michelle below:
Follow Michelle on Instagram here.
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