Gillian Taylforth
Biography
Gillian Taylforth is an English actress born in Islington, London, United Kingdom, on August 14, 1955. She is best known for her television acting roles, most notably playing Kathy Beale on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 1985 to 2000, and again from 2015 to the present. Her other prominent television credits include portraying Jackie Pascoe on Footballers' Wives from 2002 to 2006, and Sergeant Nikki Wright on The Bill from 2006 to 2008. Throughout her career, she has accumulated numerous known acting credits in television.
Career overview
Gillian Taylforth is an English actress born on August 14, 1955, in Islington, London, United Kingdom. With forty-nine known acting credits listed on The Movie Database, she has established a notable television career spanning several decades.
Taylforth is best known for her role as Kathy Beale in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, a character she played from 1985 to 2000, and again from 2015 to the present. Beyond EastEnders, she has taken on prominent roles in other long-running television series. Her television work includes portraying Jackie Pascoe in Footballers' Wives from 2002 to 2006, and Sergeant Nikki Wright in The Bill from 2006 to 2008.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
54 titles- EastEnders: 40 Years on the Square (2025) as Herself
- EastEnders: Secrets from the Square (2020) as Herself
- Michael McIntyre's Big Show (2016) as Self
- Celebrity Big Brother's Bit on the Side (2011) as Self
- Missing (2009) as Judy Waverly
- Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong (2008) as Self
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2007) as Self
- Jane Hall (2006) as Mandy Searle
- New Tricks (2004) as Emma Winters
- V Graham Norton (2002) as Self
- Footballers' Wives (2002) as Jackie Pascoe
- Footballers' Wives (2002) as Jackie Webb
- The House That Jack Built (2002) as Maxine Squire
- Celebrity Big Brother (2001) as Self
- Messiah (2001) as Helen Warren
- McCready and Daughter (2001) as Diane Ryder
- Fish (2000) as Lucy Waters
- Lost In France (1998) as Carol
- Big Cat (1998) as Polly
- Operation Good Guys (1997) as Gillian Taylforth
- Hollyoaks (1995) as Sandy Roscoe
- Ready, Steady, Cook (1994) as Self - Guest
- The Knock (1994) as Anne Gilbraith
- Doctor Who: Dimensions in Time (1993) as Kathy Beale
- My Brother David (1989) as Kathy Beale (EastEnders - Archive footage) (Uncredited)
- Behind The Screen (1988) as Self
- Casualty (1986) as Gloria
- Casualty (1986) as Justine Walker MP
- EastEnders (1985) as Kathy Mitchell
- EastEnders (1985) as Kathy
- EastEnders (1985) as Kathy Beale
- EastEnders (1985) as Kathy Cotton
- The Bill (1984) as Sgt. Nikki Wright
- Stars of the Roller State Disco (1984) as Kiosk Typist
- On Safari (1982)
- Ties (1982) as Sandra
- Big Jim and the Figaro Club (1981) as Dishmop
- The Gentle Touch (1980) as Mary Felix
- Hi-de-Hi! (1980) as Rose
- The Long Good Friday (1980) as Sherry
- Sink or Swim (1980) as Christine
- Watch this Space (1980) as Barbara
- Minder (1979) as Girl in Pub
- Shelley (1979) as Cashier
- Thundercloud (1979) as Wren Jepson
- An Audience with... (1978) as Self
- The One and Only Phyllis Dixey (1978) as Girl in cafe
- 20 Times More Likely (1978) as Sandy
- The Rag Trade (1977) as Lyn
- Plays for Britain (1976) as Maureen
- Fast Hands (1976) as Maureen
- Zigger Zagger (1975) as Sandra
- Eleanor (1974) as Mavis
- Play for Today (1970) as Mavis
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Gillian Taylforth best known for?
Gillian Taylforth is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (2008), Mamma Mia! (2008), Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008), V Graham Norton (2002).
When and where was Gillian Taylforth born?
Gillian Taylforth was born on August 14, 1955 in Islington, London, UK.
How many credits does Gillian Taylforth have?
Gillian Taylforth has accumulated over 54 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1970 to 2025.
What is Gillian Taylforth's background in cinema and television?
Gillian Taylforth is an English actress born in Islington, London, United Kingdom, on August 14, 1955. She is best known for her television acting roles, most notably playing Kathy Beale on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 1985 to 2000, and again from 2015 to the present. Her other prominent television credits includ...
Gillian Taylforth by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Shelley (1979) as Cashier — aged about 23
- New Tricks (2004) as Emma Winters — aged about 48
- The Gentle Touch (1980) as Mary Felix — aged about 24
- The Long Good Friday (1980) as Sherry — aged about 24
- Minder (1979) as Girl in Pub — aged about 23
- Hi-de-Hi! (1980) as Rose — aged about 24
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