Charlene McKenna
Encyclopedia
Charlene McKenna http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1800670/ is an award-winning Irish
actress. She became a household name and face in Ireland after starring as Jennifer in the television series Pure Mule
in 2005. She has had numerous other roles in television dramas in Ireland, including Raw
, Single-Handed 2
and Whistleblower
. She won the Best Actress (Television) award at the Irish Film and Television Awards
in 2009
for Raw and won the Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series award for her role in Whistleblower at the Monte Carlo Television Festival
in June 2009.
with the Monaghan Youth Theatre. She studied Religious Education and Music at Mater Dei Institute of Education. Her first large-scale production was Pure Mule which launched her career. She played Jennifer, a racy character, in the series.
McKenna has had roles in several other Irish television shows as well, including Raw, Single Handed and Whistleblower. She had a role in a two-hour Dickensian
period drama filmed in Dublin and broadcast on ITV
in late 2007. The drama also featured Derek Jacobi
, Toby Jones
, Bradley Walsh, Zoë Wanamaker
, Martin Freeman
, Steve Pemberton
, Anna Madeley
and Gina McKee
.
In 2007, she filmed the short film Danger High Voltage at the Electric Picnic
music festival in Stradbally, County Laois
. The film, which also starred Barry Ward and was directed by Luke McManus, went on to win awards at both the Galway Film Fleadh and the Cork Film Festival in 2008.
She appeared in the second episode of Single Handed 2, broadcast on 1 January 2008, in which Garda Sergeant Jack Driscoll investigated the case of the missing two-year-old son of her character, Eilish. Eilish also had to endure several resentful in-laws. This performance was described as "outstanding".
Whistleblower, a two-part fact-based drama broadcast in August 2008, was based on the late 1970s scandal at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
in Drogheda
, County Louth
, involving gynaecologist
Michael Neary. McKenna played Karen, a young mother who has an unnecessary hysterectomy
performed on her after giving birth. Emma Stansfield
played the nurse who blew the whistle
.
For her role in Raw, McKenna stripped naked
for a full frontal scene in the fourth episode. The actress was pleased with the lack of complaints about the scene, apparently considering it an indication of the growing tolerance of Irish audiences. Scenes involving restaurant staff tampering with their guests' food similarly failed to attract much complaint. McKenna's character in the series is Jojo, a young chef, working under Tanya, a stressed manager, and a head chef. In the second episode, Jojo organises a party but the alcohol runs out and tensions rise. Raw, a six-part series set in a fictitious restaurant in Dublin, saw McKenna interact with Bachelors Walk
actor Keith McErlean
and Mistresses
actress Shelley Conn
.
McKenna also appeared in the film Dorothy Mills, which was released in 2008, as the role of Mary McMahon.
She narrowly lost out on a role in the film Land of the Lost
opposite Will Ferrell
. Despite meeting the director, the part was given to Anna Friel
instead.
McKenna returned to Irish screens later in 2009 as the character Jojo in the second series of Raw on RTÉ Two
. The show returned for a third series, which first aired on the 9th of January, 2011.
In 2011, McKenna appeared in an episode of Channel 4 comedy-drama Sirens
. She played the eponymous antagonist
"Lamia" (l) in that episode of the fourth season of the BBC
TV series Merlin
.
in 2009
for her role in Raw.
|-
| 2009
|| Raw
|| Best Actress (Television) ||
|-
in June 2009.
McKenna used to date Adrian Kerley from Scotstown.
|-
| 2009 || Whistleblower
|| Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series ||
|-
but lives in London
. She watches several television programmes including Strictly Come Dancing
, Sex and the City
, Friends
and The Clinic
, but dislikes Big Brother
. Her other leisure pursuits include fashion and shopping.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
actress. She became a household name and face in Ireland after starring as Jennifer in the television series Pure Mule
Pure Mule
Pure Mule was an Irish six-part drama mini-series aimed at a young audience and broadcast on RTÉ Two as part of RTÉ's autumn schedule in 2005, shot and screened in 2004–2005 in County Offaly....
in 2005. She has had numerous other roles in television dramas in Ireland, including Raw
Raw (television series)
Raw, an Irish drama television series for RTÉ. The show focuses on the staff at a Dublin restaurant. The first season featured six episodes shown on RTÉ Two in September 2008 and the second season of six episodes was shown on RTÉ One from 10 January 2010...
, Single-Handed 2
Single-Handed (2007 drama)
Single-Handed is an Irish television drama series broadcast on RTÉ Television. Set and filmed in the west of Ireland, it focuses on the life of a member of the , Sergeant Jack Driscoll . Three two-episode, single-story series aired, one each on consecutive nights in 2007, 2008 and 2009...
and Whistleblower
Whistleblower (TV series)
Whistleblower is a two-part IFTA-winning fact-based RTÉ drama which focuses on the Michael Neary scandal that erupted in the 1990s. Neary is a retired Irish consultant obstetrician/gynecologist who gained notoriety when it was discovered that he had performed what was considered an inordinate...
. She won the Best Actress (Television) award at the Irish Film and Television Awards
Irish Film and Television Awards
The Irish Film and Television Awards were first awarded in 2003. Its sole aim is to celebrate Ireland's notably talented film and television community...
in 2009
The 6th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards 2009
The 6th Irish Film and Television Awards took place on 14 February 2009 at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, and was hosted by Ryan Tubridy.-Awards in Film:Film* Hunger ** 32A** A Film with Me in It** The Escapist...
for Raw and won the Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series award for her role in Whistleblower at the Monte Carlo Television Festival
Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo
The Monte-Carlo Television Festival was created in 16-20 January 1961 by Prince Rainier III of Monaco, who wished to “encourage a new art form, in the service of peace and understanding between men”....
in June 2009.
Career
McKenna first appeared on stage at the age of eleven, playing a small role in Oklahoma!Oklahoma!
Oklahoma! is the first musical written by composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on Lynn Riggs' 1931 play, Green Grow the Lilacs. Set in Oklahoma Territory outside the town of Claremore in 1906, it tells the story of cowboy Curly McLain and his romance...
with the Monaghan Youth Theatre. She studied Religious Education and Music at Mater Dei Institute of Education. Her first large-scale production was Pure Mule which launched her career. She played Jennifer, a racy character, in the series.
McKenna has had roles in several other Irish television shows as well, including Raw, Single Handed and Whistleblower. She had a role in a two-hour Dickensian
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
period drama filmed in Dublin and broadcast on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in late 2007. The drama also featured Derek Jacobi
Derek Jacobi
Sir Derek George Jacobi, CBE is an English actor and film director.A "forceful, commanding stage presence", Jacobi has enjoyed a highly successful stage career, appearing in such stage productions as Hamlet, Uncle Vanya, and Oedipus the King. He received a Tony Award for his performance in...
, Toby Jones
Toby Jones
Toby Edward Heslewood Jones is an English actor.-Early life:Jones was born in Hammersmith, London, the son of actors Jennifer and Freddie Jones...
, Bradley Walsh, Zoë Wanamaker
Zoe Wanamaker
Zoë Wanamaker, CBE is an American-British actress. She has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company; in films, including the Harry Potter series; and in a number of television productions, including a long-time role as Susan Harper in the sitcom My Family.-Early life and family:Wanamaker was...
, Martin Freeman
Martin Freeman
Martin John C. Freeman is an English actor. He is known for his roles as John in Love Actually, Tim Canterbury in the BBC's Golden Globe-winning comedy The Office, Arthur Dent in the film adaptation of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Dr. John Watson in Sherlock and Mr. Madden...
, Steve Pemberton
Steve Pemberton
Steve James Pemberton is an English actor, comedian, writer and performer, most famous as a member of The League of Gentlemen along with fellow performers Reece Shearsmith, Mark Gatiss and co-writer Jeremy Dyson.-Early life:...
, Anna Madeley
Anna Madeley
Anna Madeley is a British actress. She has been described by the British Theatre Guide's Philip Fisher as one of the United Kingdom's "brightest and most versatile young actresses".-Biography:...
and Gina McKee
Gina McKee
Georgina "Gina" McKee is an English actor known for her television roles in Our Friends in the North , The Lost Prince and The Forsyte Saga ; and her portrayal of Bella in the film Notting Hill ....
.
In 2007, she filmed the short film Danger High Voltage at the Electric Picnic
Electric Picnic
The 2005 festival took place on Saturday 3 September and Sunday 4 September. It is best remembered for Arcade Fire's performance which came before their subsequent mainstream success...
music festival in Stradbally, County Laois
County Laois
County Laois is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Midlands Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It was formerly known as Queen's County until the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922. The county's name was formerly spelt as Laoighis and Leix. Laois County Council...
. The film, which also starred Barry Ward and was directed by Luke McManus, went on to win awards at both the Galway Film Fleadh and the Cork Film Festival in 2008.
She appeared in the second episode of Single Handed 2, broadcast on 1 January 2008, in which Garda Sergeant Jack Driscoll investigated the case of the missing two-year-old son of her character, Eilish. Eilish also had to endure several resentful in-laws. This performance was described as "outstanding".
Whistleblower, a two-part fact-based drama broadcast in August 2008, was based on the late 1970s scandal at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (Drogheda)
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital is a public hospital located in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, part of the Louth Meath Hospital Group. It is managed by the Irish Government's Health Service Executive and provides acute-care hospital services, including a 24-hour emergency department, for the...
in Drogheda
Drogheda
Drogheda is an industrial and port town in County Louth on the east coast of Ireland, 56 km north of Dublin. It is the last bridging point on the River Boyne before it enters the Irish Sea....
, County Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
, involving gynaecologist
Gynaecology
Gynaecology or gynecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system . Literally, outside medicine, it means "the science of women"...
Michael Neary. McKenna played Karen, a young mother who has an unnecessary hysterectomy
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total or partial...
performed on her after giving birth. Emma Stansfield
Emma Stansfield
Emma Stansfield is a Welsh actress.Born Emma Thompson, her parents Colin and Gill Thompson trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, and run an amateur dramatics society in Monmouth, Wales...
played the nurse who blew the whistle
Whistleblower
A whistleblower is a person who tells the public or someone in authority about alleged dishonest or illegal activities occurring in a government department, a public or private organization, or a company...
.
For her role in Raw, McKenna stripped naked
Nudity
Nudity is the state of wearing no clothing. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic. The amount of clothing worn depends on functional considerations and social considerations...
for a full frontal scene in the fourth episode. The actress was pleased with the lack of complaints about the scene, apparently considering it an indication of the growing tolerance of Irish audiences. Scenes involving restaurant staff tampering with their guests' food similarly failed to attract much complaint. McKenna's character in the series is Jojo, a young chef, working under Tanya, a stressed manager, and a head chef. In the second episode, Jojo organises a party but the alcohol runs out and tensions rise. Raw, a six-part series set in a fictitious restaurant in Dublin, saw McKenna interact with Bachelors Walk
Bachelors Walk
Bachelors Walk was a comedy-drama based around three single men living in a house in Dublin’s Bachelors Walk. The drama was shot in and around Dublin. The programme was first broadcast on RTÉ on 1 October 2001...
actor Keith McErlean
Keith McErlean
Keith McErlean born in Carndonagh, County Donegal, Republic Of Ireland, is an Irish actor. His career began when he graduated from the Gaiety School of Acting in June 1998. He has appeared in many plays for the Abbey Theatre and Peacock Theatre including Making history,Lovers at Versailles and...
and Mistresses
Mistresses (TV series)
Mistresses is a British serial drama television programme that follows the lives of four female friends and their involvement in an array of illicit and complex relationships...
actress Shelley Conn
Shelley Conn
-Early life and education:Conn was born in Barnet, Greater London of British and Sri Lankan descent. The great niece of actress Merle Oberon , Conn trained at Bretton Hall...
.
McKenna also appeared in the film Dorothy Mills, which was released in 2008, as the role of Mary McMahon.
She narrowly lost out on a role in the film Land of the Lost
Land of the Lost (film)
Land of the Lost is a 2009 American science-fiction comedy film directed by Brad Silberling and starring Will Ferrell, Danny McBride and Anna Friel, based on the 1974 Sid and Marty Krofft TV series of the same name.-Plot:...
opposite Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell
John William "Will" Ferrell is an American comedian, impressionist, actor, and writer. Ferrell first established himself in the late 1990s as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Old School, Elf, Anchorman, Talladega...
. Despite meeting the director, the part was given to Anna Friel
Anna Friel
Anna Louise Friel is an English actress. She rose to fame in the UK as Beth Jordache on the Channel 4 soap Brookside.-Early life:...
instead.
McKenna returned to Irish screens later in 2009 as the character Jojo in the second series of Raw on RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two
RTÉ Two is a free-to-air general entertainment channel operated by Irish state broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Two is available throughout the island of Ireland through digital terrestrial service Saorview, VHF and UHF bands, and is also available via satellite to Irish subscribers of...
. The show returned for a third series, which first aired on the 9th of January, 2011.
In 2011, McKenna appeared in an episode of Channel 4 comedy-drama Sirens
Sirens (UK TV series)
Sirens is a British comedy-drama about an ambulance service team broadcast on Channel 4. It was first screened on 27 June 2011.The series is based on the book Blood, Sweat & Tea by Brian Kellett. The series is filmed predominantly in Leeds with some filmed in the surrounding areas...
. She played the eponymous antagonist
Antagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
"Lamia" (l) in that episode of the fourth season of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
TV series Merlin
Merlin (TV series)
Merlin is a British fantasy-adventure television programme by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps. It began broadcasting on BBC One on 20 September 2008. The show is based on the Arthurian legends of the wizard Merlin and his relationship with Prince Arthur but differs from...
.
IFTAs
McKenna won the Best Actress (Television) award at the Irish Film and Television AwardsIrish Film and Television Awards
The Irish Film and Television Awards were first awarded in 2003. Its sole aim is to celebrate Ireland's notably talented film and television community...
in 2009
The 6th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards 2009
The 6th Irish Film and Television Awards took place on 14 February 2009 at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, and was hosted by Ryan Tubridy.-Awards in Film:Film* Hunger ** 32A** A Film with Me in It** The Escapist...
for her role in Raw.
|-
| 2009
The 6th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards 2009
The 6th Irish Film and Television Awards took place on 14 February 2009 at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, and was hosted by Ryan Tubridy.-Awards in Film:Film* Hunger ** 32A** A Film with Me in It** The Escapist...
|| Raw
Raw (television series)
Raw, an Irish drama television series for RTÉ. The show focuses on the staff at a Dublin restaurant. The first season featured six episodes shown on RTÉ Two in September 2008 and the second season of six episodes was shown on RTÉ One from 10 January 2010...
|| Best Actress (Television) ||
|-
Monte Carlo
McKenna won the Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series award for her role in Whistleblower at the Monte Carlo Television FestivalFestival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo
The Monte-Carlo Television Festival was created in 16-20 January 1961 by Prince Rainier III of Monaco, who wished to “encourage a new art form, in the service of peace and understanding between men”....
in June 2009.
McKenna used to date Adrian Kerley from Scotstown.
|-
| 2009 || Whistleblower
Whistleblower (TV series)
Whistleblower is a two-part IFTA-winning fact-based RTÉ drama which focuses on the Michael Neary scandal that erupted in the 1990s. Neary is a retired Irish consultant obstetrician/gynecologist who gained notoriety when it was discovered that he had performed what was considered an inordinate...
|| Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series ||
|-
Personal life
McKenna is from MonaghanMonaghan
Monaghan is the county town of County Monaghan in Ireland. Its population at the 2006 census stood at 7,811 . The town is located on the main road, the N2 road, from Dublin north to both Derry and Letterkenny.-Toponym:...
but lives in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. She watches several television programmes including Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
, Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Sex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
, Friends
Friends
Friends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
and The Clinic
The Clinic (TV series)
The Clinic is an award-winning Irish primetime television medical drama series produced by Parallel Film Productions for RTÉ. It debuted on RTÉ One in 2003 to positive reviews and proved to be one of the network's most popular shows. The show ran for seven seasons between September 2003 to November...
, but dislikes Big Brother
Big Brother (UK)
Big Brother UK is the British version of the Dutch Big Brother television format, which takes its name from the character in George Orwell's 1948 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four...
. Her other leisure pursuits include fashion and shopping.