Josie Walker

Josie has been nominated for 3 Laurence Olivier Awards across her varied career in theatre, most recently for her role as Old Mrs Hempstock in 'Ocean at the End of the Lane' at the Royal National Theatre. Josie has just completed filming Emma Donaghues 'The Wonder' for Netflix. She is taking on the role of Sister Michael alongside Florence Pugh who plays an English nurse in 1850s rural Ireland. They are both given the task to observe a young girl who has survived without food for months. The film is directed by Oscar winning Sebastián Lelio. She has completed filming this year on Adam Kays bestselling novel and now 7 part drama series of 'This is Going to Hurt' She joins Ben Whishaw as part of the midwifery team in this honest, hilarious, heartbreaking look at the great institution that is the NHS and the unsung heroes who work there under the most stressful conditions. This is an International co production from Sister/Hurt ABC. Last year she completed filming on Kenneth Branaghs 'Belfast' which premieres in Feb 2022 and is already garnering critical success. She plays Auntie Violet the sister of Ma played by Caitriona Balfe. This is the coming of age story of a young boy growing up in 1970s Belfast. Josie was born in Belfast at this very time, so the story resonates with her enormously as her family also made the difficult choice to leave home in search of a better life away from The Troubles. Josie has worked across the board starting her career predominantly in musical theatre playing the classic roles of Christine in Phantom of the Opera to Grizabella in Cats. She has created and originated many iconic roles from conception, notably The Beautiful Game in 2000, Andrew Lloyd Webber's love story set against the backdrop of the Northern Ireland Troubles, a recurrent theme in her career. She was nominated for an Olivier Award for her role as Mary Maguire and was asked to sing one of the shows anthems at the inauguration of President George W Bush in 2001. She also created the role of Mrs Wormwood in the smash hit RSC musical 'Matilda' taking the show from its original roots in Stratford 2010, to the West End. In 2017 she crafted the role of Margaret in 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie' which started its journey though workshops from 2014, to a Sheffield Crucible short run, swiftly followed by a West End Transfer. Josie has worked extensively at the National Theatre in productions such as Warhorse, two of Sean O'Caseys plays, a fascinating triptych of DH Lawrence plays 'Husbands and Sons' directed by Marianne Elliott as well as the recent hit Neil Gaimans 'Ocean at the End of the Lane' directed by Katy Rudd for which she was nominated best supporting actress in a play in the 2020 Olivier awards. Tv work includes: This is Going to Hurt, White House Farm, Vera, Call the Midwife, Waterloo Road, Psychoville. Film: The Wonder. Belfast. Where Hands Touch. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Clive Turner