Natascha McElhone

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24 Feb 2024

Natascha McElhone

Natascha McElhone, born Natascha Abigail Taylor on December 14, 1971, is a British actress known for her work in both film and television. She graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
In film, McElhone is recognized for her roles in several notable productions. She appeared in the action thriller "Ronin" (1998), alongside Robert De Niro, and gained further acclaim for her performance in "The Truman Show" (1998), starring Jim Carrey. She also starred in the science fiction drama "Solaris" (2002).

On television, McElhone has delivered memorable performances in various series. She notably portrayed Karen van der Beek, the partner of Hank Moody, in the Showtime comedy-drama "Californication" (2007–2014). Additionally, she played the role of Alex Kirkman, the First Lady of the United States, in the ABC political drama "Designated Survivor" (2016–2017). McElhone also appeared as Laz Ingram in Beau Willimon's Hulu science-fiction series "The First" (2018) and portrayed Penelope Knatchbull in season 5 of "The Crown."

Throughout her career, McElhone has demonstrated versatility and depth in her performances, earning praise from audiences and critics alike for her compelling portrayals across both film and television.

Natascha McElhone, originally Natascha Abigail Taylor, was born on December 14, 1971, in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Her parents, Noreen McElhone and Michael Taylor, were both journalists. Following her parents' separation when she was two years old, her Irish mother moved the family to Brighton and later married journalist and columnist Roy Greenslade.
McElhone has a brother named Damon, who resides in Los Angeles and works as a scriptwriter, as well as two half-brothers: Alexander, living in Zürich, and Nicholas, residing in Stockholm. She received her education at various institutions, including St Mark's CofE Primary School and St Mary's Hall in Brighton, Fortismere School in London, Camden School for Girls in London, and William Ellis in London.

During her childhood, McElhone took Irish dancing lessons from ages six to twelve. She later pursued her passion for acting and studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), laying the foundation for her successful career in the entertainment industry.

Natascha McElhone embarked on her career in the theater, taking on starring roles in productions such as Richard III and A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park, London, as well as in The Count of Monte Cristo and The Cherry Orchard at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester. She made her television debut in 1990, credited as "Natascha Taylor," in Television South's adaptation of the Inspector Wexford story An Unkindness of Ravens.

McElhone's breakthrough television appearances included two episodes of the Dennis Potter TV miniseries Karaoke. She landed her first major box-office role in Surviving Picasso (1996), starring opposite Anthony Hopkins. Her notable film credits include roles in The Truman Show (1998) alongside Jim Carrey, The Devil's Own (1997) with Brad Pitt, Ronin (1998) alongside Robert De Niro, and Solaris (2002) with George Clooney.

In addition to her film work, McElhone starred in the NBC miniseries Revelations (2005) alongside Bill Pullman. She also appeared in a 2006 West End production of Honour at the Wyndham's Theatre alongside Diana Rigg and Martin Jarvis. McElhone gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Karen in the Showtime cable television series Californication, starring opposite David Duchovny. She became a spokeswoman for Neutrogena in 2009 and lent her voice to the character Marie in the video game Castlevania: Lords of Shadow in 2010.

McElhone's versatility extended to film adaptations of classic literature, such as her role as Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet (2013). She starred alongside Douglas Booth, Hailee Steinfeld, and Damian Lewis in this adaptation of Shakespeare's play. In 2014, she portrayed Alex Forrest in a stage adaptation of Fatal Attraction at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. McElhone continued to showcase her talent on stage, starring as Sarah Churchill in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Helen Edmundson's Queen Anne in 2015.

In February 2016, McElhone joined the cast of ABC's political drama Designated Survivor alongside Kiefer Sutherland. She later left the show in Season 2 to take on a role in the Hulu series The First. In 2022, McElhone portrayed Penelope Knatchbull in season 5 of The Crown, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and accomplished actress in both film and television.

Natascha McElhone married plastic surgeon Martin Hirigoyen Kelly on May 19, 1998. The couple resided in Fulham, southwest London, with their sons Theodore (born in 2000) and Otis (born in May 2003). Tragically, their third son, Rex, was born in October 2008, five months after Kelly's untimely death.

On May 20, 2008, Kelly, aged 43, was discovered slumped in the doorway of their family home by a fellow doctor. He was swiftly rushed to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where he worked, but unfortunately, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Kelly passed away one day after celebrating his 10th wedding anniversary with McElhone. A postmortem examination revealed that the cause of his death was dilated cardiomyopathy.

Following her husband's sudden death, McElhone grappled with grief but found solace in writing letters to him, detailing their daily lives and sharing how she and their young children were coping with the immense loss. These heartfelt letters and diary entries served as the foundation for her book titled "After You: Letters of Love, and Loss, to a Husband and Father," which was published in July 2010. Through this poignant memoir, McElhone offered readers a glimpse into her journey of navigating grief and finding strength amidst profound sorrow.