Michelle Fairley Biography: Game of Thrones, Age, Net Worth, Catelyn Stark, Movies, Height, Personal Life

Michelle Fairley is a Northern Irish actress renowned for her portrayal of Catelyn Stark in HBO’s Game of Thrones (2011–2013), a role she assumed following the show’s original pilot.

Her career encompasses both stage and screen, highlighted by an Olivier Award-nominated performance as Emilia in Othello and appearances in acclaimed plays such as Oleanna and Dancing at Lughnasa.

On television, she has featured in British dramas like The Bill, Holby City, and Inspector Morse, as well as American series including Suits, 24: Live Another Day, and Resurrection. Her film credits include playing Mrs. Granger in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and a role in In the Heart of the Sea.

Profile

• Full Name: Michelle Fairley
• Stage Name: Michelle Fairley
• Born: 11 July 1963
• Age: 61 years old
• Birthplace: Coleraine, United Kingdom
• Nationality: Northern Irish
• Occupation: Northern Irish actress
• Height: 1.65 m
• Parents: Brian Fairley, Theresa Fairley
• Siblings: Simone Fairley
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not Married
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life And Education

Michelle Fairley was born on July 11, 1963, in Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Her father, Brian Fairley, was a well-known publican who owned Fairley’s Bar and several off-licences during the Troubles, while her mother, Teresa Fairley, worked as a nurse.

The second eldest of six children, including her sister Simone Fairley, Michelle was educated at a Roman Catholic grammar school in Coleraine, where she first discovered her passion for acting.

She began performing with the Ulster Youth Theatre, which played a pivotal role in shaping her early interest in the arts. After completing her schooling, she moved to Belfast to pursue theater more seriously, joining the Fringe Benefit repertory company.

She is of Northern Irish ethnicity, though her religious affiliation has not been publicly disclosed.

Career

Michelle Fairley began her acting career in the mid-1980s after relocating to London in 1986, quickly gaining recognition for her powerful stage presence. She delivered acclaimed performances in productions such as Oleanna at the Royal Court, Dancing at Lughnasa at the Old Vic, and Othello at the Donmar Warehouse, earning an Olivier Award nomination for her role as Emilia.

Fairley also remained active in Northern Ireland’s theater scene, working with companies like the Fringe Benefit repertory company in Belfast. Her early work established her as a formidable talent in British theatre.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Fairley transitioned to television and film, appearing in popular British series including The Bill, Holby City, Casualty, Inspector Morse, and Lovejoy. She made her film debut in Hidden City (1987) and later featured in titles such as Philomena (2013) and In the Heart of the Sea (2015).

However, her breakthrough came with HBO’s Game of Thrones (2011–2013), where she played Catelyn Stark, a role that brought her international acclaim. Her performance, especially during the infamous “Red Wedding” episode, remains one of the show’s most iconic moments.

Following her success on Game of Thrones, Fairley expanded her presence in American television, securing roles in Suits, 24: Live Another Day, and Resurrection, while continuing to work in British productions like Rebellion and Gangs of London. She also remained active in theatre, with notable performances in Road at the Royal Court and Splendour in London, earning the Clarence Derwent Award in 2019.

More recently, she portrayed Princess Augusta in Netflix’s Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023) and starred in the film Nobody Has to Know (2021). Across stage and screen, Fairley has built a reputation as a versatile and compelling actress with a career spanning more than three decades.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @michellefairley

Personal Life

Michelle Fairley is currently single and has never been married. She was in a long-term relationship that ended in 2012, though she has kept her former partner’s identity private.

Without children by choice, Fairley has expressed that she never felt the desire for motherhood and finds fulfillment in her relationships with nieces, nephews, and godchildren. She continues to maintain a low profile regarding her personal life.

Filmography

Film:

• Hidden Agenda (1990)
• A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries (1998)
• The Second Death (2000, short)
• The Others (2001)
• Shearing (2002, short)
• Cup Cake (2010)
• Philomena (2013)
• Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (2013, voice)
• Ironclad: Battle for Blood (2014)
• Montana (2014)
• I Am Here (2014, short)
• The Trap (2019, short)
• Responsible Child (2019, TV movie)
• Nobody Has to Know (2021)
• An Irish Goodbye (2022, short)
• Small Things Like These (2024)

Television:

• Saracen (1989)
• 4 Play (1990)
• Theatre Night (1990)
• Children of the North (1991)
• Casualty (1991, 1993)
• Lovejoy (1992)
• Screenplay (1992)
• In Deep (2001)
• Rebus (2001)
• Holby City (2003)
• The Clinic (2003)
• The Catherine Tate Show (2006)
• Strictly Confidential (2006)
• Trial & Retribution (2007)
• Taggart (2009)
• Misfits (2010)
• Midsomer Murders (2010)
• Game of Thrones (2011–2013)
• Coming Up (2012)
• Suits (2013)
• 24: Live Another Day (2014)
• Fortitude (2017)
• The White Princess (2017)
• Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero (2017, voice)

Net Worth

Michelle Fairley has an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million, largely attributed to her successful career in television, film, and theater. Her most prominent role as Catelyn Stark in HBO’s Game of Thrones significantly boosted her international profile and income.