Michelle Fairley Movies and TV Shows: Full List

Michelle Fairley, Northern Irish actress, has spent four decades delivering standout performances in everything from HBO epics to Netflix period dramas. She broke through in 2011 when HBO cast her as Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones, a role that placed her at the center of the most-watched television series of its era.

Born: 1963 (62 years old) · Known for: Game of Thrones (Catelyn Stark) · Notable films: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Philomena · Recent TV: Gangs of London, Suits · Nationality: Northern Irish

This table condenses Michelle Fairley’s essential biographical data from Wikipedia and IMDb.

What is Michelle Fairley known for?

Michelle Fairley is a Northern Irish actress whose career spans four decades of British and international screen work. She broke through in 2011 when HBO cast her as Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones, a role that placed her at the center of the most-watched television series of its era.

Game of Thrones role

Fairley played Catelyn Stark for three seasons, appearing in 25 episodes across Seasons 1 through 3. Her portrayal of the matriarch of House Stark earned critical recognition and introduced her to a global audience. The character’s story arc concluded in 2013, but Fairley remained a recognizable face in prestige television.

Breakout performances

Beyond Game of Thrones, Fairley built a reputation for delivering nuanced performances across genres. Her work in period pieces, political thrillers, and crime dramas demonstrates range that has kept her steadily employed since her 1987 debut.

What else has Michelle Fairley been in?

Michelle Fairley’s filmography extends far beyond her most famous roles. She has appeared in over 40 productions across film and television since 1987, consistently landing supporting roles that showcase her versatility.

TV series credits

• Suits (2013) — Dr. Ava Hessington, a chemical engineer and oil CEO, in 8 episodes (Wikipedia)
• 24: Live Another Day (2014) — Margot Al-Harazi in episodes 2–9 (Wikipedia)
• Resurrection (2014–2015) — Margaret Langston in Season 2 episodes 1–13 (Wikipedia)
• The Feed (2019) — Meredith Hatfield, starring in all 10 episodes (Wikipedia)
• Gangs of London (2020–present) — Marian Wallace in 25 episodes across Series 1–3 (Wikipedia)
• The White Princess (2017) — Margaret Beaufort in episodes 1–8 (Wikipedia)
• Fortitude Series 2 (2017) — Freya Lennox in episodes 1–10 (Wikipedia)
• Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023) — Princess Augusta in episodes 1–6 (Wikipedia)
• The Gone (2023–2024) — Judge Hannah Martin in 11 episodes across Series 1 and 2 (Wikipedia)

Film appearances

• Philomena (2013) — Award-winning political drama from Stephen Frears
• In the Heart of the Sea (2015) — Ron Howard’s survival thriller
• The Invisible Woman (2013) — Ralph Fiennes-directed biopic
• Nobody Has to Know (2021) — Lead role as Millie alongside Bouli Lanners (Wikipedia)
• Hidden City (1987) — Film debut (Wikipedia)
• Ironclad: Battle for Blood (2014) — Joan De Vesci (Wikipedia)
• Montana (2014) — DCI Rachel Jones (Wikipedia)

Who plays Hermione’s mum in Harry Potter?

Michelle Fairley appears as Mrs. Granger, Hermione’s mother, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. It’s a brief but memorable appearance in a film that required hundreds of smaller roles to populate the wizarding world.

Role details

Fairley’s Mrs. Granger appears during the scene where Hermione erases her parents’ memories before the hunt for Horcruxes begins. The moment provides emotional weight to the trio’s sacrifice, and Fairley’s brief screen presence conveys the weight of the goodbye without dialogue.

Harry Potter connection

The Harry Potter franchise gave Fairley exposure to audiences who may have missed her decades of British television work. Her role in Part 1 of the Deathly Hallows films connected her to a franchise that remains one of the most-watched in film history.

What is Michelle Fairley doing now?

Michelle Fairley continues to work steadily into her 60s, with productions scheduled through 2026. Her recent credits show a performer who has shifted toward projects that value experience over star power.

Recent projects

• Gangs of London — Marian Wallace has been a central character since the series began in 2020, with Fairley appearing in all three seasons through 2024 (Wikipedia)
• The Gone (2023–2024) — Irish crime drama where she plays Judge Hannah Martin across 11 episodes
• How to Get to Heaven from Belfast (2026) — Netflix feature currently in production
• No Ordinary Heist (2026) — Upcoming film role as Mags Fulton (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Whistle (2025) — Another upcoming production in her slate

Upcoming roles

Fairley’s 2026 slate includes Netflix’s How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, a production that roots her career back in her Northern Irish heritage. The combination of streaming platform backing and Irish subject matter suggests projects are increasingly targeting her strengths.

Michelle Fairley movies and TV shows overview

Over 35 years, Michelle Fairley has built a filmography that reflects the changing landscape of British television. From early 1990s political thrillers to 2020s streaming crime dramas, her career offers a useful map for how supporting actors build durable careers in screen acting.

Full filmography highlights

Five productions stand out as career anchors:

• Game of Thrones (2011–2013) — 25 episodes as Catelyn Stark, her defining role
• The Feed (2019) — 10 episodes as Meredith Hatfield, her most prominent starring role
• Gangs of London (2020–2024) — 25 episodes as Marian Wallace, her longest-running current role
• Philomena (2013) — Stephen Frears film that earned Academy Award recognition
• The White Princess (2017) — 8 episodes as Margaret Beaufort in the Starz historical drama

Key credits from IMDb and Wikipedia

Wikipedia’s verified credits list 30+ distinct productions since 1987, with Rotten Tomatoes confirming recent appearances in No Ordinary Heist and Whistle. The gap between early career obscurity and Game of Thrones prominence spans 24 years of steady supporting work.

The pattern is clear: Fairley succeeds by showing up, delivering the work, and moving to the next project. She has never chased headlines or manufactured controversy. That approach does not produce viral moments, but it produces careers — and at 62, Fairley’s continued employment speaks for itself.

For viewers who want reliable television companionship, her filmography rewards a binge: start with Game of Thrones, skip forward through her supporting roles, and catch her current work in Gangs of London. You will recognize her face before you consciously register her name.

Related reading: Harry Potter movies

Michelle Fairley’s standout roles in Game of Thrones and Harry Potter anchor full filmography guide, tracing her four-decade screen career across theater and television.

Frequently asked questions