Quick Facts
Biography
Katharine Winifred Buffery (born 23 July 1957) is an English actress. She is known for her numerous roles on British television, including the ITV drama series Wish Me Luck (1988–1990), BBC miniseries Close Relations (1998), Channel 5 legal drama Wing and a Prayer (1997–1999) and the ITV police drama Trial and Retribution (1997–2002). Her stage work includes the 1983 original West End production of Daisy Pulls it Off, which earned her an Olivier Award nomination.
Career
Buffery may be best known for her role in the British television drama Wish Me Luck, as Liz Grainger and as DI North in Trial and Retribution. She also co-wrote an episode of the third series of Wish Me Luck. Her other work for television includes The Rainbow, Catherine Cookson's The Man Who Cried, Close Relations, Poirot, Frankenstein's Baby, Circles of Deceit, The Orchid House, Wing and a Prayer, Ruth Rendell-series, PD James-series, Midsomer Murders, Boon, and Heartbeat.
She has been a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company where Buffery's roles included Rosalind in As You Like It, Hermione in The Winter's Tale, Sue in Golden Girls, and the National Theatre. At the National Theatre, she was cast in roles for the premiere productions of two plays by David Hare premieres. She also performed in Cicely Berry's production of Hamlet for the NT's Education Unit. Her film appearances include The Rainbow (1988), A Long Way Home (1989 TV film), Dark River (1990 TV film), Swing Kids (1993), Goodbye Charlie Bright, (2001) and EMR (2004). She performs extensively on the radio and as a voice over artist. She was nominated for a 1983 Olivier Award as Best Supporting Actress for her role in Daisy Pulls It Off, losing out to Abigail McKern.
She has spoken on inequality for women in the Arts and Media at several conferences including for the Federation of International Artists, for the Sphinx and for Equity. She has worked as a teacher for the National Youth Theatre where she has run Shakespeare Masterclasses, and has also mounted and directed productions for children and students. Buffery studied for a law degree and was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn, London in 2015.
Buffery was formerly married to the film and theatre director Roger Michell; the couple had two children.