Aisling Bea
Aisling Bea | |
---|---|
Born | Aisling Clíodhnadh O'Sullivan[1] 16 March 1984[2] |
Occupation(s) | Comedian, actress, screenwriter |
Years active | 2009–present |
Website | aislingbea |
Aisling Clíodhnadh O'Sullivan (born 16 March 1984), known professionally as Aisling Bea (/ˈæʃlɪŋ ˈbiː/ ASH-ling BEE),[citation needed] is an Irish comedian, actress, and writer.
Early life and education
Bea was born in Kildare, Ireland.[3][4][5][6] Her father, Brian, was a horse veterinarian who took his own life when Bea was three years old; she was not told how he had died until she was 13.[7][8] She adopted the stage surname "Bea" as a tribute to her father, taking it from a short form of his first name.[9][10] Bea and her younger sister, Sinéad,[9] were raised by their mother, Helen (née Moloney), a secondary school teacher who had previously been a horse jockey trainer[11] and professional jockey.[10] Her family were "obsessed" with horses and race meetings.[12] In her youth, Bea worked as a tour guide at the Irish National Stud, but knew from a young age that she was not interested in the horse racing industry and instead loved performing.[7] Her great-aunt was playwright Siobhán Ní Shúilleabháin,[13] and musician Liam O'Flynn was a family friend.[14]
Bea was educated at Presentation Secondary School, Kildare Town, a Catholic school,[15] and studied French and philosophy at Trinity College Dublin.[5][16] While there, she was part of a student sketch comedy group.[17] She then studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).[18]
Career
After graduating from drama school, Bea spent two years trying to get work in theatre as a dramatic actress.[19] Instead, she was cast mainly in comedic television series including Cardinal Burns and Dead Boss (both 2012).[15] While filming Dead Boss in 2011, Bea decided to try stand-up comedy.[15][20] In 2012, she won The Gilded Balloon So You Think You're Funny award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe[21] and, in 2013, was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards for her show C'est La Bea.[22]
The exposure brought by these awards and festival appearances marked a "turning point" in Bea's career[18] and she began to appear as a regular guest on panel shows including QI and Insert Name Here.[23] Bea and Yasmine Akram co-wrote and co-hosted the BBC Radio 4 comedy folklore series Micks and Legends (2012, 2015);[24] it was nominated for a Chortle Award in 2013.[25] Bea won the 2014 British Comedy Award for Best Female TV Comic[26] and returned to Edinburgh in 2015 with the live show Plan Bea.[27] In 2016, she became a team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats and was a cast member on Taskmaster in 2017.
Bea has continued to act in television sitcoms including Trollied (2014–2015), The Delivery Man (2015), and Amy Huberman's Irish television series Finding Joy (2018). Additionally, she has acted in the crime dramas The Fall (2016) and Hard Sun (2018). In 2018, she and Sara Pascoe began to co-host the BBC Radio 2 comedy chat show What's Normal?[28] She recorded a 15-minute stand-up special that was aired on Netflix in late 2018.
She stars in the Netflix comedy-drama series Living with Yourself (2019–present),[29][30][31] and is the star and head writer of the Channel 4 comedy series This Way Up (2019–present). She also appeared in the ITV drama series Quiz (2020).
For her work on This Way Up, Bea won the Bafta 2020 British Academy Television Craft Award for Breakthrough Talent.[32][33]
Activism
Bea was a vocal supporter of the Repeal the 8th campaign in the successful 2018 Irish referendum to introduce legal abortion in the Republic of Ireland,[18][34] including her contribution of an essay to Una Mullally's Repeal the 8th a month before the vote.[35] She previously campaigned for same-sex marriage legislation in the successful 2015 Irish referendum.[18]
Filmography
Acting
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Fair City | Cliodhnah Norris | 3 episodes |
2009 | We Are Klang | Inspector | 1 episode |
2009 | The Roy Files | Ticket girl (voice) | Episode: "Truth And Lies" |
2009 | Belonging to Laura | Leanne Thompson | Television film |
2010 | Inn Mates | Elf | Pilot |
2009–2014 | The Savage Eye | Various | 4 episodes |
2010 | L.O.L | Various | Pilot Writer |
2010 | Freedom | Aisling | Pilot |
2010 | Come Fly with Me | Mary O'Mara | 1 episode |
2011 | Lewis | Hotel receptionist | 1 episode |
2011 | Holby City | Amelia Warner | 1 episode |
2012 | Cardinal Burns | Sally | 5 episodes |
2012 | Dead Boss | Laura Stephens | 6 episodes |
2012 | In with the Flynns | Naimah | 1 episode |
2012 | The Town | Carly | 3 episodes |
2012 | Trivia | Ruth | 6 episodes |
2012 | Assassin's Creed III | Emily Burke (voice) | Video game |
2013 | Fit | Various | |
2013 | Soul Sacrifice | Similia (voice) | Video game |
2013 | Quick Cuts | Customer | 1 episode |
2013 | Tattooed | Eve | Short film |
2013 | Very Few Fish | Gráinne | Short film |
2014 | Playhouse Presents | Toddler Woman | 1 episode |
2014 | The Architects | Hayley (voice) | BBC Radio 4 4 episodes |
2014 | The Assets | Kara Jensen | 1 episode |
2014 | Vodka Diaries | Nic | Pilot |
2014 | The Sunny | Emma | Pilot |
2014–2015 | Trollied | Charlie | 13 episodes |
2015 | Funny Valentines | Sarah | 2 episodes |
2015 | The Delivery Man | Lisa | 6 episodes |
2015 | The Trap | Marie | |
2015 | Nish Kumar's Christmas | Agent | Short film |
2016 | Bullet to the Heart | Jane | Short film Writer |
2016 | Damned | Anne-Marie | 1 episode |
2016 | The Fall | Kiera Sheridan | 4 episodes |
2017 | Drunk History | Guinevere | 1 episode |
2017 | Gap Year | Kendra | 2 episodes |
2018 | Hard Sun | Mari Butler | 5 episodes |
2018 | Plebs | Minerva | 1 episode |
2018 | I Feel Bad | Simone | 1 episode |
2018 | Finding Joy | Amelia | 6 episodes |
2019 | State of the Union | Anna | Episode: "Plaster Cast" |
2019–present | Living with Yourself | Kate Elliot | 8 episodes |
2019–present | This Way Up | Aine | 12 episodes Writer, executive producer |
2020 | Love Wedding Repeat | Rebecca | |
2020 | Quiz | Claudia Rosencrantz | 3 episodes |
2021 | Amphibia | Captain Beatrix (voice) | Episode: "Barrel's Warhammer" |
2021 | Home Sweet Home Alone | Carol | Post-production |
TBA | Riverdance: The Animated Adventure |
Stand-up comedy
Year | Title | Channel | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Sabotage | BBC Radio 4 Extra | Live at Hoxton Hall |
2009 | Fresh From the Fringe | BBC Radio 4 | Edinburgh Festival Fringe |
2013 | Seann Walsh's Late Night Comedy Spectacular | BBC Three | Edinburgh Festival Fringe |
2013 | Russell Howard's Good News | BBC Three | |
2013 | Set List | Nerdist Channel | |
2014 | Live at the Apollo | BBC One | Hammersmith Apollo |
2014–2016 | Channel 4's Comedy Gala | Channel 4 | O2 Arena |
2018 | Netflix Comedy Lineup | Netflix |
Panel show appearances
Since 2016, Bea has been a team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats, having previously been a guest on the show in 2013 and 2014. She has made guest appearances on many other panel shows, including:
- Sunday Brunch (2021)
- Have I Got News for You (2021)
- QI (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- Richard Osman's House of Games (2020)
- Insert Name Here (2016, 2018)
- Taskmaster (2017)
- The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2016, 2017)
- @midnight (2016, 2017)
- The Last Leg (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- Word of the Year 2017 (2017)
- 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (2014, 2015, 2016, 2019)
- A League of Their Own (2015, 2016)
- Room 101 (2016)
- The Unbelievable Truth (2016)
- It's Not What You Know (2016)
- Very British Problems (2015, 2016)
- Duck Quacks Don't Echo (2015)
- Jack Dee's HelpDesk (2015)
- Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (2015)
- Listomania (2015)
- Would I Lie to You? (2015)
- Channel 4's Alternative Election Night (2015)
- Celebrity Squares (2014, 2015)
- This Week (2014)
- Don't Make Me Laugh (2014)
- Virtually Famous (2014)
- Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2014)
- Don't Sit In The Front Row (2013)
- The Guessing Game (2013)
- Bad Language (2013)
- Sweat the Small Stuff (2013)
References
- ^ Humprheys, Georgia (30 July 2019). "Life's on the up for Aisling Bea ahead of new TV comedy". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- ^ "Aisling Bea". IMDb. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ Coates, Laura (8 March 2017). "10 awesome Kildare women making waves in the world". Leinster Leader. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
- ^ "Five Essentials: Actor". Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ^ a b "Aisling Bea Official Site". AislingBea.com. Retrieved 8 August 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "100 funny jokes by 100 comedians". The Daily Telegraph. 30 December 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ a b Nolan, Larissa (24 July 2016). "In another life: Aisling Bea". The Times. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
- ^ Bea, Aisling (4 November 2017). "My father's death has given me a love of men, of their vulnerability and tenderness". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
- ^ a b Jones, Alice (12 August 2015). "Aisling Bea interview: The prize-winning comedian with the CV of a veteran on bringing her second stand-up show to the Fringe". The Independent. Retrieved 18 August 2015.
- ^ a b Fitzpatrick, Richard (18 July 2014). "Funny woman, Aisling Bea, is of good stock". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Aisling Bea". Edinburgh Festivals Magazine. 15 August 2012. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018.
- ^ Whelan, Doug (4 November 2014). "Insider Interrogation: writer and actor Aisling Bea". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
- ^ Andrews, Kernan (10 October 2013). "From horses to hilarity". Galway Advertiser. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ @WeeMissBea (15 March 2018). "Aisling Bea" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c Jones, Alice (12 August 2015). "Prize-winning comedian Aisling Bea on making the leap into stand-up". The Independent. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Jarlath Regan (19 September 2015). "Aisling Bea". An Irishman Abroad (Podcast) (105 ed.). SoundCloud. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
- ^ "Interviews - Development & Alumni". Trinity College Dublin. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d Parkinson, Hannah Jane (18 September 2016). "Aisling Bea: 'I am making no money in LA, but creatively it is rewarding'". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Interview with Aisling Bea (Humour Me Comedy Podcast)". Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ "Biography.... WHO IS THIS BROAD?". AislingBea.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Aisling Bea wins So You Think You're Funny". BBC News. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ^ Duffy, Claire. "Aisling Bea is nominated for Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer Award". Entertainment.ie. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
- ^ Dessau, Bruce (19 April 2015). "Interview: Rarely Asked Questions – Aisling Bea". Beyond The Joke. Retrieved 12 April 2018.
- ^ "Comedy Irish Micks and Legends back on BBC Radio 4". RTE.ie. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ "Irish Micks And Legends". RadioListings.co.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ "Aisling crowned Queen Bea at British Comedy Awards". Herald.ie. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
- ^ Logan, Brian (13 August 2015). "Aisling Bea: Edinburgh festival review – peppy set from standup with star quality". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Sara Pascoe and Aisling Bea pilot Radio 2 chat show". British Comedy Guide. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (10 August 2018). "Paul Rudd To Topline Netflix Comedy Series 'Living With Yourself' From Timothy Greenberg". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (28 August 2018). "Aisling Bea Joins Netflix's 'Living With Yourself' Opposite Paul Rudd". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
- ^ Nelson, Samantha (18 October 2019). "Netflix's Living With Yourself fuses sitcom humor with high-tech anxiety". The Verge. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
- ^ "Aisling Bea – Breakthrough Talent". BAFTA. 4 June 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ Bryant, Aoibhin (18 July 2020). "Aisling Bea dedicates BAFT to win to late father in hilarious acceptance speed speech". Extra.ie. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
- ^ "Standup for Choice - Repeal Eight". Repeal Eight. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- ^ Evans, Martina (7 April 2018). "Autonomy edited by Kathy D'Arcy, Repeal the 8th edited by Una Mullally review". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
External links
- 21st-century Irish actresses
- 21st-century Irish women writers
- Irish television actresses
- Irish women comedians
- Irish comedy writers
- Irish women activists
- Irish abortion-rights activists
- LGBT rights activists from Ireland
- Alumni of Trinity College Dublin
- Actresses from County Kildare
- 1984 births
- Living people
- People from Kildare (town)
- Women civil rights activists