Ashley Jensen

Ashley Jensen

Ashley Jensen (born August 10, 1969) is a Scottish actress. She is best known for her roles as Maggie Jacobs in Extras (2005–2007, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award), Christina McKinney in Ugly Betty (2006–2010), Agatha Raisin in Agatha Raisin (2014–present), and DI Ruth Calder in Shetland (2023–present). Jensen trained in Drama at Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University. Her first significant television role was as Clare Donnelly, daughter of Glasgow criminal Jo-Jo Donnelly (played by Billy Connolly) in the 1993 BBC drama Down Among the Big Boys. In 1994, she played eccentric secretary Rosie McConnichy in the final series of BBC comedy May to December, as a replacement for the character of secretary Hilary (Rebecca Lacey), and Heather in Roughnecks, a BBC television series about workers on a North Sea oil platform. Jensen had a small role in a Dangerfield episode "Contact" as the mother of a young girl with meningitis. She then appeared as Fiona Morris in EastEnders. She also appeared in the 2003 BBC drama Two Thousand Acres of Sky. Jensen co-starred alongside Ricky Gervais in the BBC Two/HBO television programme Extras as the socially inept Maggie Jacobs. For her work on the first series, she received best television comedy actress and newcomer awards at the 2005 British Comedy Awards. In 2006, Jensen received two British Comedy Awards and a BAFTA nomination for her role in Extras. Her role in the 2007 Christmas Special earned her an Emmy Award nomination. In January 2006 she starred in the short-lived drama series Eleventh Hour on ITV. Later that year she played Steve Coogan's agent in A Cock and Bull Story. In 2007, she provided the narration for the film Taking Liberties. In 2014, she played the eponymous lead character in the television film adaptation of the M. C. Beaton novel Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death for Sky1. She also starred in the eight-part series that first aired on Sky1 on 7 June 2016. In 2017, she starred in a six-part TV series for BBC TV, Love, Lies & Records, depicting the gritty life and entwined storylines working in Leeds Registry Office. In March 2019, Jensen reunited with Gervais in the Netflix black comedy series After Life, a role she continued for all three series. In April 2019 she played Debbie Dorell in the second series of BBC TV drama Trust Me. When an injured soldier discovers patients in his hospital ward dying, he attempts to investigate the suspicious deaths. Also in 2019, she played the voice of Jacqueline in Lady and the Tramp.
    Known for
    Acting
    Place of birth
    Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK
    Birthday
    11 August 1969
How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon
7.838
A Cock and Bull Story
A Cock and Bull Story
6.18
Taking Liberties
Taking Liberties
6.2
Gnomeo & Juliet
Gnomeo & Juliet
5.9
Topsy-Turvy
Topsy-Turvy
6.644
Agatha Raisin: Kissing Christmas Goodbye
Agatha Raisin: Kissing Christmas Goodbye
0
Nativity!
Nativity!
6.288
Arthur Christmas
Arthur Christmas
6.8
Hysteria
Hysteria
6.672
A Shot To The Mouth
A Shot To The Mouth
0
No Holds Bard
No Holds Bard
10
Tickets for the Zoo
Tickets for the Zoo
0
All Stars
All Stars
5.6
Down Among the Big Boys
Down Among the Big Boys
7
The Legend of Barney Thomson
The Legend of Barney Thomson
6.122
Rab C. Nesbitt Live
Rab C. Nesbitt Live
0
Insane Fight Club II - This Time It’s Personal
8.25
Christmas on Mistletoe Farm
Christmas on Mistletoe Farm
5.2
The Lobster
The Lobster
7.041
Dreaming
Dreaming
0
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death
8
Small Time
Small Time
5.4
Taping Nigel II: The Gimpening
Taping Nigel II: The Gimpening
6
The Art of Breaking Character
0
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!
6.5
Sherlock Gnomes
Sherlock Gnomes
5.7
Lady and the Tramp
Lady and the Tramp
7.196
Aliens Love Underpants and...Panta Claus
Aliens Love Underpants and...Panta Claus
0
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
7.747
Facelifts and Fillers
Facelifts and Fillers
0
Rikki
Rikki
0