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Katherine Parkinson

Katherine Parkinson

Actor · Born March 9, 1978 (48) · Hounslow, Greater London, England, UK

2 BAFTA Awards

Katherine Parkinson (born March 9, 1978) is an English actress. She appeared in the Channel 4 comedy series The IT Crowd as Jen Barber, for which she received a British Comedy Best TV Actress Award in 2009 and 2014, and was nominated twice for the BAFTA Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance, winning in 2014. Parkinson studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, and has appeared on stage in the plays The Seagull (2007), Cock (2009), and Home, I'm Darling (2018), for which she was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Play. Parkinson was also a main cast member of the series Doc Martin for three series (2005–2009). She co-starred in all three series of Humans, a science-fiction drama on AMC/Channel 4, which aired from 2015 until 2018. She has also appeared in the films The Boat That Rocked (2009) and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 9, 1978 (48)
From
Hounslow, Greater London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
28 on MovieCove · 54 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 2% in 30 days

What are Katherine Parkinson's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
30%
Self
24%
Morality
16%
Society
15%
Power
12%
Ideas
1%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 2 · Wry 1 · Earnest 4

Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 5 · Serious 0 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 3 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 1 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Hero
3 of 7
Ally
2 of 7
Herald
1 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
13
Absurd
9
Tense
6
Joyful
7
Melancholic
6
Other
16

How their films linger

Fun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet13
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Katherine Parkinson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 18 of their 28 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (8).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Katherine Parkinson's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

54 credits, 28 with a MovieCove page; 13 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Harry Potter(2026)

    Show as Molly Weasley

  • Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Rachel Jessop

  • Dating Mark Silcox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Claire

  • That Christmas(2024)

    as Mrs. Forrest (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Rivals(2024)

    Show 14 episodes · as Lizzie Vereker

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Here We Go: Mum's Classic Family Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Rachel Jessop

  • Significant Other (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 6 episodes · as Anna

  • National Theatre Live: Much Ado About Nothing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Beatrice

  • Here We Go(2020)

    Show 19 episodes · as Rachel Jessop

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Nan Movie(2022)

    as Nell

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Spreadsheet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 8 episodes · as Lauren

  • Sitting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Writer · as Mary

  • Paul Dood's Deadly Lunch Break(2021)

    as Clemmie

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • How to Fake a War(2019)

    as Kate

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Hitmen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 5 episodes · as Kat Gaitskill

  • Radioactive(2019)

    as Jeanne Langevin

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Guitar Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Ms. Elanor

  • Defending the Guilty(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Caroline

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Hang Ups (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Karen Muller

  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society(2018)

    as Isola Pribby

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Urban Myths (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Ange

  • The Kennedys(2015)

    Show 6 episodes · as Brenda Kennedy

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Humans(2015)

    Show 24 episodes · as Laura Hawkins

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Off the Page: Britain Isn't Eating (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Marion/Sarah

  • In the Club(2014)

    Show 12 episodes · as Kim

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Honorable Woman(2014)

    Show 8 episodes · as Rachel Stein

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Duck Quacks Don't Echo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sardines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Rebecca

  • Inside No. 9(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Rebecca · as Self

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Conceptiva

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Coma Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Pip

  • Whites(2010)

    Show 6 episodes · as Caroline

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • The Great Outdoors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 3 episodes · as Sophie

  • Sherlock(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Kitty Riley

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Cooked (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as (voice)

  • St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold(2009)

    as Physics Teacher

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Psychoville (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Pirate Radio(2009)

    as Felicity

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Old Guys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 8 episodes · as Amber

  • Easy Virtue(2008)

    as Marion Whittaker

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Secret Policeman's Ball 2008 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • How to Lose Friends & Alienate People(2008)

    as PR Woman

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Christmas at the Riviera(2007)

    as Vanessa

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Katy Brand's Big Ass Show(2007)

    Show 18 episodes · as Various

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows

  • Fear, Stress & Anger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 6 episodes · as Gemma

  • Hard to Swallow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Katie

  • The IT Crowd(2006)

    Show 24 episodes · as Jen Barber

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Ahead of the Class (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Vicky Foley

  • Extras(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Woman in queue

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Doc Martin(2004)

    Show 45 episodes · as Pauline Lamb

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Helen Gibbons

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Horizon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Narrator

  • The Bride of Vernon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Mary Mae

  • The Dream Lands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Antonia

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 53 titles, 51 of them dated from 1964 to 2025; peak year 2008.

Biggest box office

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

$23M worldwide

Highest rated

The IT Crowd (2006)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Inside No. 9 (2014)

Film career

MilestoneAward win
19642025

Peak 2008 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2004Screen debut· Doc Martin
  • 2006BAFTA Award win· The IT Crowd
  • 2008First film· How to Lose Friends & Alienate People

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting53 of 53: 52 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score64thWriting1 of 53: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1980s1 · acting2000s15 · acting2010s19 · acting2020s15 · 15 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 6 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

Awards

2 BAFTA Awards from 4 major nominations, 2011–2026.

WinNomination
  1. 2026
    • BAFTA Award, won · Actress in a Comedy
  2. 2025
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Supporting Actress
  3. 2014
    • BAFTA Award, won · Best Female Performance in a Comedy Role
  4. 2011
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Female Performance in a Comedy Role

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Katherine Parkinson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 48th percentile, the median of all 11; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 37th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 27 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 27 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Katy Brand's Big Ass Show (2007)

93rd percentile spread · 55% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The IT Crowd (2006)

Midcredits 97th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Katherine Parkinson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles21–68 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles22–56 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles24–69 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs8 titles31–43 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles11–61 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Katherine Parkinson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Katherine Parkinson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kevin Bishop shares the most, 3.

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers