Kerrie Hayes

Kerrie Hayes (born 13 March 1987) is an English actress whose career has been marked by a blend of gritty television drama and compelling independent film work. Growing up in the Anfield district of Liverpool, she was one of five children, sharing a lively household with two older sisters and two younger brothers. Her formative years were shaped at Holly Lodge Girls' College in West Derby, where a drama class taken with her sister sparked a lasting fascination with performance, a passion she continued to nurture at Liverpool Community College. Hayes' early immersion in local theatre laid the groundwork for a professional debut that would quickly establish her as a striking on‑screen presence. In 2007 she landed the lead role of Ruby Moss in the BBC drama Lilies, a performance that introduced her to a wider audience and opened the door to guest spots on series such as Holby City, The Commander, Casualty, Inspector George Gently and multiple episodes of Doctors. Her film work includes appearances in Sparkle (2007) and Nowhere Boy (2009), but it was the 2009 indie film Kicks—where she portrayed the determined Nicole—that earned her critical notice and a place in the Edinburgh International Film Festival’s Trailblazer showcase. Subsequent roles cemented her reputation, notably her leading turn in the Channel 4 period drama The Mill, which garnered a BAFTA nomination for Leading Actress, and her portrayal of Gwen Pearce in the 2016 BBC series The Living and the Dead. Throughout her career, Hayes has been praised for her authentic portrayals and her ability to convey complex emotions with understated power, making her a respected figure in contemporary British cinema and television.