Roxanne McKee (born 10 August 1980) is a British actress. She is best known for playing Louise Summers in the British soap opera Hollyoaks (2005–2008), Lou Foster in the British drama series Lip Service (2010), Doreah in the American fantasy drama series Game of Thrones (2011–2012) and Lady Claire Riesen in the American apocalyptic supernatural series Dominion (2014–2015). She has also starred in films including Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines (2012), Vendetta (2013) and The Legend of Hercules (2014).

Early life and education

McKee was born in Canada to Irish parents.[1] She completed a BA degree in Social Policy & Political Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London in 2005.[2]

Career

Hollyoaks

McKee auditioned for the role of Hollyoaks character Louise Summers in 2004 as part of Hollyoaks: On the Pull, a nationwide search to find a new actor.[3] After being chosen from over 35,000 applicants, McKee began portraying Louise, who was introduced by series producer David Hanson in 2005.

In 2008, McKee hinted at a possible exit for her character, despite refusing claims that she wanted to leave.[4] She told Look magazine: "I'm not going to be there forever. I don't mind the long hours but I'll have been doing that for four years in October when my contract ends."[5] After her contract ended in October 2008, McKee decided to leave the show in order to focus on other projects, mainly theatre.[6] Several months after her final on-screen appearance, tabloid newspapers began to speculate that McKee would reprise the role to coincide with the exit of Jamie Lomas's character, Warren.[7] McKee had previously told Digital Spy: "Well, Louise might not be dead! That's the exciting twist in the future....On screen, you'll feel like she's dead but depending on me and whether I want to come back for an episode in March — I might be back. I filmed an extra scene showing that I'm still alive. There are flashbacks which show me being killed, but then there's a flashback which viewers won't see for a while, that will be used if I choose to come back for the episode. I kind of want to come back and finish off Louise's storyline, but at the moment, I might be doing something else. It would be really good, though — I'd be going back to kill a few people off."[7]

Following McKee's decision to leave the show, she said: "I have enjoyed my time at Hollyoaks immensely and I'm going to really miss everyone at Lime Pictures. I have learned so much and will take away with me many happy memories — not just from everyone I have worked with but from Liverpool as a city too, which has become my second home. I know I will shed a few tears on the day I leave but I am so excited about what the future holds."[8] Hollyoaks series producer Bryan Kirkwood commented on her departure, stating: "As well as being the nation's sexiest soap star for two years running, Roxanne has worked incredibly hard to prove herself as a talented actress. She has been at the centre of one of our biggest storylines for the past two years and her exit scenes will be a fitting climax. Roxanne is a real star in the making and I'm sure this won't be the last that we hear of her."[8] McKee won the award 'Sexiest Female' at The British Soap Awards in 2007 and 2008, an award she had been nominated for in 2006 and 2009.[9][10] McKee was also won 'Sexiest Female' at the Inside Soap Awards in 2007 and 2008.[11] In 2008 she was also nominated for 'Best Actress'.

Virgin Media profiled some of Hollyoaks' "hottest females" in their opinion, of Louise they stated: "It's no surprise that sultry Roxanne McKee was voted sexiest soap star for two years running at the British Soap Awards. She's so foxy that even on-screen fiancé Warren was sad he had to finish her off."[12]

Subsequent roles

In 2008, McKee appeared in the Taio Cruz music video for "She's like a Star". The following year, McKee filmed parts in Johannes Roberts' hooligan horror film F and BBC Two's The Persuasionists.

In July 2009, McKee became the face of Clothes Show Live, stating: "I've always watched it on TV and wanted to go, so I'm very flattered to be part of such a huge event".[13] In 2010, she was cast in a small role in on-line drama EastEnders: E20, playing bisexual character Pippa.[14]

McKee acted in the modern lesbian drama Lip Service for BBC Three set in Glasgow, McKee would later play the part of a new character, Doreah in Game of Thrones,[15] an HBO series based on the best-selling epic fantasy series of novels written by George RR Martin.[16]

In May 2012, McKee was announced as being part of the horror sequel Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines.[17]

Personal life

As of 2017, McKee lives in Los Angeles.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2010 F Nicky Wright
2012 Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines Lita
2013 Vendetta Morgan Vickers
2014 The Legend of Hercules Queen Alcmene
2014 Ironclad: Battle for Blood Blanche
2019 Inside Man: Most Wanted Ariella Barash
2020 Picture Perfect Royal Christmas Amanda Eastman [18]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2005 Hollyoaks: No Going Back Louise Summers Main role
2005–2008 Hollyoaks Louise Summers Main role, 278 episodes
2010 The Persuasionists Christine / Agency Worker Episode: "Cockney Cheese", "The Handsomeness"
2010 EastEnders: E20 Pippa Episode #2.2
2010 Lip Service Lou Foster 4 episodes
2012 Lewis Briony Keagan Episode: "Generation of Vipers"
2011–2012 Game of Thrones Doreah Recurring role (seasons 1–2), 11 episodes
2014 Alt Suzy Television film
2014–2015 Dominion Claire Riesen Main role
2016 Crossfire Samantha "Sam" Harrison Television film
2017–2018 Strike Back: Retribution Captain Natalie Reynolds Main role (season 6)
2019 A Paris Romance Lacey Television film
2020 Pandora Eve Recurring role (season 2)

Awards and nominations

2006

2007

2008

References

  1. ↑ @Roxanne_Mckee (22 June 2016). "I was born in Canada. My parents are Irish. These girls are more English than me. Stop xenophobic ignorance" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ↑ Christie, Janet (28 June 2015). "Roxanne McKee keeps it real in fantasy drama". The Scotsman. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Hollyoaks: Desperately Seeking - History". E4. (Channel 4 Television Corporation). 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  4. ↑ Green, Kris (27 February 2008). "Louise sticking with the 'Oaks". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  5. ↑ Fletcher, Alex (28 May 2008). "McKee hints at Hollyoaks departure". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  6. ↑ "Roxanne McKee quits 'Oaks". What's On TV. (IPC Media). 28 October 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  7. 1 2 Green, Kris (17 March 2009). "McKee to return to Hollyoaks". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  8. 1 2 Green, Kris (28 October 2008). "McKee to leave Hollyoaks at Xmas". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 17 October 2010.
  9. ↑ Kris Green and Daniel Kilkelly (10 May 2009). "The British Soap Awards 2009". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  10. ↑ Green, Kris (27 May 2007). "The British Soap Awards 2007". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  11. ↑ Green, Kris (3 July 2007). "The Inside Soap Awards 2007". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  12. ↑ "Louise Summers (Roxanne McKee) - Hollyoaks hall of babes". Virginmedia.com. (Virgin Media Inc.). Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  13. ↑ Daniel Kilkelly. "'McKee fronts Clothes Show Live campaign". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  14. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (29 July 2010). "'EastEnders' announces new 'E20' cast". Digital Spy. London. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  15. ↑ "Exclusive: Wrong Turn 5 Wraps, Extensive Photo Gallery and Update!". 8 May 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
  16. ↑ Morgan Jeffery (25 January 2011). "McKee 'excited by Game of Thrones role'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  17. ↑ Full Cast For Now-Filming 'Wrong Turn 5'!, Bloody-disgusting.com, 2 May 2012; retrieved 28 November 2015.
  18. ↑ IMDb
  19. ↑ "Hollyoaks scoops six soap awards". BBC News. 4 May 2008.

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