Louise Brealey
Biography
Louise Brealey, born 27 March 1979 in Bozeat, Northamptonshire, England, is an English actress, writer and journalist. She began her television career as Nurse Roxanne Bird in two series of the BBC drama Casualty from 2002 to 2004, and appeared as Judy Smallweed in the 2005 adaptation of Bleak House. Brealey is best known for her recurring role as pathologist Molly Hooper, which she has played in all four series of Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss drama Sherlock since its debut in 2010. Additional television credits include Cass in Back (2017), Scottish professor Jude McDermid in Clique (2017), Gillian Chamberlain in A Discovery of Witches (2018) and Donna Harman in Death in Paradise (2020). She made her stage debut at London’s Royal Court in 2001, portraying a 14‑year‑old Sophie.
Career overview
Louise Brealey, born on 27 March 1979 in Bozeat, Northamptonshire, England, is an English actress, writer and journalist. She began her professional career on stage, making her debut at London’s Royal Court in 2001 playing a 14‑year‑old Sophie. Brealey transitioned to television with her first screen role as Nurse Roxanne Bird in the BBC drama Casualty, appearing across two series from 2002 to 2004. She continued to build her television résumé with a part as Judy Smallweed in the 2005 adaptation of Bleak House.
Brealey is perhaps best known for her recurring role as pathologist Molly Hooper in the Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss television drama Sherlock, a character she portrayed throughout all four series of the show beginning in 2010. Subsequent television work includes playing Cass in the 2017 series Back, Scottish professor Jude McDermid in Clique the same year, Gillian Chamberlain in A Discovery of Witches in 2018, and Donna Harman in Death in Paradise in 2020. Across these projects she has demonstrated a range that spans contemporary drama, period pieces and genre series, establishing her as a versatile presence on British television. Her career to date reflects a steady progression from early stage work to prominent recurring roles in several well‑known series.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- Madfabulous (2026) as Lady Chetwynd
- Daughters of the Late Colonel (2026) as Josephine
- Chuck Chuck Baby (2024) as Helen
- Lockwood & Co. (2023) as Pamela Joplin
- Such Brave Girls (2023) as Deb
- Deep Clean (2022) as Maddie
- Brian and Charles (2022) as Hazel
- Letters Live from the Archive: Union Chapel (2021) as Self
- Limbo (2021) as Hannah Peyton
- Letters Live from the Archive: International Women’s Day (2021) as Self / Narrator (voice)
- Jamie (2020) as Mum
- The Widow (2019) as Beatrix
- A Discovery of Witches (2018) as Gillian Chamberlain
- In Wonderland (2018) as Alice
- Clique (2017) as Jude McDermid
- Back (2017) as Cass
- Sherlock: The Abominable Bride (2016) as Molly Hooper
- Victor Frankenstein (2015) as Sexy Society Girl
- Containment (2015) as Sally
- Birthday (2015) as Natasha
- Father Brown (2013) as Eleanor Knight
- Shetland (2013) as Isobel Jameson
- Sherlock: Many Happy Returns (2013) as Molly Hooper
- Delicious (2013) as Stella
- Ripper Street (2012) as Dr. Amelia Frayn
- The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012) as Hairdresser
- Death in Paradise (2011) as Donna Harman
- Sherlock (2010) as Molly Hooper
- I Want You (2007) as Girl
- Mayo (2006) as Scene-of-Crime Officer Harriet 'Anorak' Tate
- The Darkest Hour (2001) as Kim
- The Blair Witch Phenomenon (1999) as Self
- Casualty (1986) as Roxanne Bird