Katie McGrath

Katie McGrath
McGrath at the Japan Expo in 2010.
Born	Katherine Elizabeth McGrath c. 1983 (age 33–34) Ashford, County Wicklow, Ireland
Other names	Katherine
Occupation	Actress, model
Years active	2007–present
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)

Katherine Elizabeth McGrath is an Irish actress who is best known for portraying Morgana on the BBC One show Merlin (2008–2012), Lucy Westenra on the British-American series Dracula (2013), Zara Young in the science fiction adventure film Jurassic World (2015), the lead role in the Canadian horror series Slasher (2016) and Lena Luthor, in Supergirl (2016–present).

McGrath was raised in Ashford, County Wicklow, Ireland. She studied the International Baccalaureate at St. Andrew's College before graduating from Trinity College, Dublin with a degree in history.

McGrath originally wanted to work in fashion journalism and took a job at Image magazine, before becoming a wardrobe assistant on the set of The Tudors. While working on The Tudors, McGrath was advised to try acting, so she sent photographs around to Irish agents. She said:

Being an actress was kind of like when you’re a kid, and you want to run away and join the circus, it's something you really want to do, but then you grew up and got a proper job. It was a dream, but I didn’t think it would ever be reality, and yet here I am!

McGrath was cast in Damage, an Irish TV-movie in 2007. She also starred in Bedrock Productions's play La Marea at the Dublin Theatre Festival in the same year. She appeared in the feature films Eden and Freakdog in 2008, before being cast as Morgana Pendragon in Merlin.

In 2009, McGrath starred in a five-part docudrama for Channel 4 exploring the life of Queen Elizabeth II, The Queen, in which she played a young Princess Margaret.Emilia Fox portrayed Elizabeth II in the same episode in which McGrath appeared; the two had previously worked together as sisters Morgause and Morgana in Merlin. In 2010, McGrath was cast in Madonna's directorial debut W.E., an Edward VIII biopic. McGrath played Lady Furness, the king's former mistress who introduces him to Wallis Simpson.