Kate Ashfield (born 28 May 1972) is an English actress and screenwriter, who has appeared in stage, TV and film roles, most famously in her role as Liz in the 2004 zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead. She is the co-writer of the 2017 TV series Born to Kill.
Early life Ashfield was born in Oldham, Lancashire, England. Her interest in acting started at an early age, and she later pursued her passion by studying drama at Rose Bruford College.
Career Ashfield's acting profession began in the nineties. She appeared in numerous theatre, TV series and films, including Shaun of the Dead, Secrets & Lies and Sanditon.
In 2004, Ashfield won the Best Actress award at the British Independent Film Awards for her role in the movie Late Night Shopping. She has also received awards for her performances in This Little Life, The Baker and Line of Duty. In addition to her acting on screen, Ashfield has appeared in several stage productions, including Blasted and Shopping and Fucking.
Ashfield appeared in the 2025 Christmas special of Death in Paradise.
Filmography +Key Denotes productions that have not yet been released
Film Year Title Role Notes 1994 Princess Caraboo Ella 1999 The War Zone Lucy Guest House Paradiso Mrs. Hardy 2000 Christie Malry's Own Double-Entry Carol The Low Down Ruby 2001 The Last Minute Janey Late Night Shopping Jody Please! Molly ShortSweetnightgoodheart Juliet Short 2001 Flyfishing Helen Pure Helen One Minute Katie Short 2003 Perfect Rachel ShortCollusion Sally Waterville 2004 Spivs Jenny Fakers Eve Evans Shaun of the Dead Liz 2005 The Best Man Becka The Trouble with Men and Women Susie 2007 The Baker Rhiannon 2009 War Schools Miss Evergreen Short 2010 My Brothers Kitty The Kid Madeline Behind the Door Joss Short 2011 United Alma George Late Bloomers Giulia It was released in France as Trois fois 20 ans 7 Lives Cynthia 2012 Byzantium Gabi When the Lights Went Out Jenny 2013 Nymphomaniac Therapist Vol. IIBelieve Helen 2014 Counting Backwards ShortStill Margaret 2015 Hangman Beth 2017 Seat 25 Narrator (voice) 2019 Suicide Tourist Fake Mother Rachel Teresa Short2021 There's Always Hope Samantha 2023 Double Blind Helen Brady Stockholm Bloodbath Birgitta
Television Year Title Role Notes 1995 Fist of Fun Jill Edmonds 1 Episode Prime Suspect Helper 1 episode: "The Scent of Darkness" 1996 Soldier Soldier Cate Hobbs 8 Episodes Seed Julie TV Movie No Bananas Sylvia 1 Episode 1998 A Many Splintered Thing Elly Jackson TV Movie 1999 Watership Down Primrose (voice) 7 Episodes Love in the 21st Century Kate 1 episode The Man Kim TV Movie 2000 A Many Splintered Thing Elly Rawsthorne 6 Episodes Storm Damage Kay TV Movie 2001 Do or Die Samantha TV Mini Series, 2 episodes 2002 Crime and Punishment Dunya 2 episodes 2003 This Little Life Sadie MacGregor TV Movie Pollyanna Nancy TV MovieKilling Hitler Rachel TV Movie 2005 Secret Smile Miranda Cotton TV Mini Series:2 episodesPerfect Day Jenny TV Movie 2006 Tsunami: The Aftermath Ellen TV Mini Series:2 episodes Random Quest Ottilie Harsham / Kate Ottilie Gale TV Movie 2007 Talk to Me Kellyteacher 4 episodes 2008 The Children Natasha TV Mini Series:3 episodes 10 Days to War Veronica Purkiss TV Mini Series:1 episodes Never Better Anita 6 episodes 2009 Collision Inspector Ann Stallwood TV Mini Series:4 episodes The Diary of Anne Frank Miep Gies TV Mini Series:5 episodes2010 Poirot Miss Wills 1 episode2011 Silent Witness CI Rebecca Woods 2 episodes New Tricks Hilary Newell 1 episodeMystery! 1 episode2012 The Kidnap Diaries Anabel Langan TV MovieLine of Duty Jools Gates 5 episodes2013 Midsomer Murders Helen Caxton 1 episode2015 The House Sitter Sara Lawrence TV Movie Secrets and Lies Vanessa Richardson/Vanessa Turner 4 episodes2017 Unspeakable Sally TV Movie2018 Sick of It Zoe 1 episode2019 A Confession Yvonne Fulcher TV Mini Series:5 episodes2020 Life Rachel TV Mini Series:5 episodes2019 His Dark Materials Atal (voice) 4 episodes2019–2023 Sanditon Mary Parker 20 episodes2023 The Chat Pip TV Mini SeriesBodies Elaine Morley TV Mini Series:1 episode2024 Moonflower Murders Joanne Webster TV Mini Series:3 episodes2025 Lazarus Detective Alison Brown TV Mini Series:6 episodes2025 Death in Paradise Helen Dugdale 1 Episode - Christmas Special
Awards and nominations She has won three awards out of eight nominations:
2000 British Independent Film Awards, Best Actress, The Low Down – nominee 2001 British Independent Film Awards, Best Actress, Late Night Shopping – winner 2001 Berlin International Film Festival Shooting Stars Award, Actress – winner 2003 British Independent Film Awards, Best Actress, This Little Life – nominee 2004 Royal Television Society, Best Female Actor, This Little Life – winner 2005 Empire Awards, Best British Actress, Shaun of the Dead – nominee 2017 British Screenwriters’ Awards, Best Crime Writing on Television (Series/Single Drama), Born to Kill – nominee 2018 BAFTA Cymru Awards, Best Television Drama, Born to Kill – nominee
References
External links