Actress Katherine Kelly, known for her roles in Coronation Street, The Night Manager, and Liar, has revealed that she values her ability to walk through life unrecognised. Despite starring in major television series, she says it takes a long time for people to clock who she is, and she loves being able to roam without being stopped. 'When people know who you are, it restricts the conversation,' she explained, adding that she finds it important to stay in the real world and have genuine interactions.
Kelly, who rose to fame as barmaid Becky McDonald on Coronation Street, has deliberately avoided being typecast by taking on a wide range of characters. She has played aristocrats, detectives, and jihadis, and says she turns down roles that are too similar to what she has done before. 'I'm not interested in playing it safe,' she said. 'Failure doesn't frighten me. You can't be brilliant if you're not prepared to fail.'
Her current role is DI Karen Renton in the second series of ITV's Liar, a tough, unemotional detective investigating the murder of Andrew Earlham. Kelly admitted that she would be a terrible police officer in real life because she cannot leave her emotions at the door. 'I'd make a far better care worker, putting the kettle on and nurturing someone through it,' she said.
The actress credits her parents for her fearless attitude. 'My mum and dad don't give a sh*t what anyone thinks about them,' she laughed. 'They never did. They're very grounded; not hippies in any way, but they've been real free spirits.' She added that growing up in Barnsley, people would tell you directly if they thought you were crap, which helped her develop a thick skin. 'I just don't really care what people think about me,' she said.
