Niky Wardley
Born
Nicola Petra Wardley

(1973-08-11) 11 August 1973
Luton, Bedfordshire, England
Occupations
Years active2000–present
Notable workThe Catherine Tate Show
(2004–2007)
The Eighth Doctor Adventures (2010–2011)
In with the Flynns (2011–2012)
Spouse
​
(m. 2018)​
Children2

Nichola Petra "Niky" Wardley (born 11 August 1973) is an English stage and screen actress. Her most notable role is schoolgirl Lauren Cooper's sidekick in the BBC's Emmy and BAFTA-nominated sketch series The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2007). She also appeared alongside Catherine Tate in the Netflix mockumentary sitcom Hard Cell (2022) and played the lead role in the BBC One sitcom In with the Flynns (2011–2012). As a voice actress, she is best known for her role as the Eighth Doctor's companion Tamsin Drew in audio dramas based on the BBC's long-running science fiction series Doctor Who.

Early life and education

Wardley was born on 11 August 1973 in Luton, Bedfordshire.[1] She started out in acting when she was in high school. Her drama teacher cast her as Nancy in Oliver! when she was about 13 years old. Reminiscing on her first ever role, Wardley said: "I knew from the very first moment that I stepped out on stage that this was what I wanted to do with my life."[1]

She studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.[2]

Career

Work with Catherine Tate

"It's amazing working with her on the show, she is probably the most talented person I have ever worked with. Her ability to change character and fully embody all the different people she plays is truly incredible. I've learnt so much from her and absolutely love working on the programme."

— Wardley on working with Catherine Tate, January 2006[1]

While doing her first theatre production for the Royal Shakespeare Company, called A Servant to Two Masters (2000–2001), she met comedian Catherine Tate and shared a dressing room with her for ten months.[1][3] In 2004, Tate invited Wardley to her BBC Two sketch series, The Catherine Tate Show (2004–2007). Her most notable role in the show was schoolgirl Lauren Cooper's sidekick, Liese Jackson. In November 2005, she performed for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at the Royal Variety Performance, appearing again in the guise of Liese. During the sketch, Wardley's character remarked: "That old man sitting next to her has fallen asleep." Prince Philip then reportedly complained to the show's executive producer, saying he had been insulted.[4]

The Catherine Tate Show lasted for three series and received critical acclaim and multiple nominations from BAFTA, the National Television Awards and the British Comedy Awards. After the show ended, Wardley and Tate continued to work together on other projects, including the show's spin-off series, Catherine Tate's Nan (2014–2015), and its UK, Australian and New Zealand live tours. She also appeared alongside Tate in the autobiographical short film My First Nativity (2010),[5] the Netflix mockumentary series Hard Cell (2022), which she also co-wrote, the BBC sitcom Queen of Oz (2023),[6] and the feature films Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?! (2014) and The Nan Movie (2022).

Doctor Who

Wardley starred in the Doctor Who audio dramas alongside Paul McGann, pictured here in 2014

In 2010, she portrayed a companion of the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann), failing actress Tamsin Drew, in the audio series The Eighth Doctor Adventures, produced by Big Finish Productions and based on the BBC's long-running science fiction series Doctor Who. She felt "really excited" about becoming a Doctor Who companion, having previously watched the show as a kid and being good friends with fellow companion actress Catherine Tate.[7] Wardley was cast after being recommended to the producers by the Fifth Doctor actor, Peter Davison, with whom she had previously worked in the ITV drama series The Complete Guide to Parenting (2006).[3] After a period of travelling with the Doctor, Wardley's character became disillusioned with him after he showed coldness in the face of others' deaths whilst favouring the lives of his friends.[8] The Meddling Monk soon convinced her that the Doctor was a destructive force in the universe and took her under his wing. Drew travelled with the Monk for a while, but later came to regret her decision, as he told her countless lies and had sided with Earth's invaders, the Daleks. She helped the Doctor try to stop the Daleks but was eventually killed by them in the story "To the Death" (2011).[9]

In November 2013, the Eighth Doctor mentioned Tamsin Drew among his past companions in the BBC iPlayer mini-episode "The Night of the Doctor", making her part of the official television canon.[10][3] In the same month, Wardley appeared as writer Steven Moffat's receptionist in the one-off comedy homage to Doctor Who, The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot.[11] Since 2016, she has continued to work with Big Finish and has played several other characters in Doctor Who-related audio adventures, most notably Donna Noble's school friend Natalie Morrison in the four-part audio series Donna Noble: Kidnapped! (2020).[12]

Other work

In 2006, Wardley played Joe Macer's daughter Megan in two episodes of the BBC One long-running soap opera EastEnders. She also played the lead role in the BBC One sitcom In with The Flynns (2011–2012), followed by appearances in nine episodes of Coronation Street (2012). She was then cast as Miss Brahms in the one-off revival episode of Are You Being Served? (2016). Her other television appearances include Benidorm (2007–2008), Silent Witness, My Family (both 2007), Peep Show (2008), How Not to Live Your Life (2008), Shameless (2010),[7] The Spa, Love and Marriage (both 2013), Asylum (2015), Home from Home (2018) and Call the Midwife (2019).

From 2000 to 2022, she starred in 13 theatrical productions. Her stage work includes Alan Ayckbourn's plays Bedroom Farce (2009)[13] and A Small Family Business (2014),[14] as well as William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (2007–2008), starring Zoë Wanamaker and Simon Russell Beale as Beatrice and Benedick,[15] and Twelfth Night (2017), starring Tamsin Greig as Malvolia.[16] Both A Small Family Business and Twelfth Night were professionally recorded and broadcast through National Theatre Live.[17]

As a voice actress, she has provided the voice of Tamara the Poodle in most episodes of the CBBC animated children's series The Pinky and Perky Show (2008–2009).[7]

Personal life

Born in Luton, Wardley now lives in Camberwell, London,[1] and has two children.[18] In May 2018, she married Welsh actor Daniel Hawksford,[19][20] with whom she had previously worked in the National Theatre production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing (2007–2008).[15] In 2022, they both appeared in the Netflix mockumentary sitcom Hard Cell.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2001 The Affair of the Necklace Madame de Neiss
2002 Out Done Sammy Short film
2004 Almost Catherine Short film
2006 Really Kelly
2008 Searching Natalie Film adaptation of the 2003 play Hello You, which also starred Wardley
2009 Condimentia Frank's Mum Short film
2014 Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?! Bridesmaid Bella
2018 Killer Retreat Pam
Stuffed Ellen Short film
2020 The Gays Days Suzanne Ewen Short film
2022 The Nan Movie Officer Mahler

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Casualty Louisa Episode: "Acceptance"
2004–2007 The Catherine Tate Show Various 20 episodes; also co-writer
2005 Holby City Julia 'Jools' Mallinson Episode: "Awakenings"
Rosemary & Thyme Daisy Mellor Episode: "The Cup of Silence"
2006 EastEnders Megan Macer 2 episodes
The Complete Guide to Parenting Karen 5 episodes
The Family Man Emma Butcher 3 episodes
2007–2008 Benidorm Kelly 3 episodes
2007 Holby City Sandie Booth Episode: "Is There Something I Should Know?"
Silent Witness DC Kate Dickerson 3 episodes
Funny Cuts Various Episode: "Chikipedia"
My Family Crystal Episode: "Ho Ho No"
2008 The Bill Mary Haworth Episode: "To Catch a Killer: Part 2"
Love Soup Kendra Episode: "Lobotomy Bay"
Peep Show Cally Episode: "Jeremy's Manager"
How Not to Live Your Life Maggie Episode: "Home Sweet Home"
2008–2009 The Pinky and Perky Show Tamara (voice) 42 episodes
Parents of the Band Sandy Soutakis 6 episodes
2009 All the Small Things Louise 'Lulu' Pryke 6 episodes
Nan's Christmas Carol Various TV special
2010 Shameless Hazel Episode: "The Wild Tales"
Life of Riley Suzy Episode: "Is She Really Going Out with Him?"
Little Crackers Angie Episode: "Catherine Tate's Little Cracker: My First Nativity"
2011–2012 In with the Flynns Caroline Flynn 12 episodes
2012 Coronation Street Jenny Summer 9 episodes
2013 The Spa Sally 8 episodes
Love and Marriage Heather McCallister 6 episodes
The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot Receptionist TV special
2014–2015 Catherine Tate's Nan Various 3 episodes
2015 Asylum Lorna 3 episodes
2016 Are You Being Served? Miss Brahms TV special
Citizen Khan Suzanne Episode: "Scab's Parents"
2018 Still Open All Hours Mrs. Jackson Episode #4.6
Settling Angela 6 episodes
Home from Home Fiona Hackett 6 episodes
2019 Casualty Kate Herbert Episode #33.20
Call the Midwife Enid Wilson 2 episodes
2022 Hard Cell Anastasia 6 episodes; also co-writer
2023 Queen of Oz Anabel 6 episodes

Audio

Year Title Role Production Notes
2010–2011 Doctor Who: The Eighth Doctor Adventures Tamsin Drew Big Finish Productions 7 episodes
2016 Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures Rebecca 'Bex' Young Episode: "Technophobia"
The Avengers: The Lost Episodes Liz Wells Episode: "Death on the Slipway"
Jago & Litefoot Hannah Bennet Episode: "School of Blood"
2018 Animal Instinct: Human Zoo Maggie Audible
Torchwood One Stacey Big Finish Productions Episode: "9 to 5"
2020 Dracula's Guests Madeline Part of the Big Finish Classics range
Donna Noble: Kidnapped! Natalie Morrison 4 episodes
High Strangeness Mrs Hippisley Audible 6 episodes

Theatre

Year Title Role Venue / Company Ref.
2000–2001 A Servant to Two Masters Clarice Royal Shakespeare Company [21]
2002 The Three Sisters Natasha Nuffield Theatre [22]
Our Country's Good Mary Brenham [23]
2003 Making Waves Helen Stephen Joseph Theatre [24]
Hello You Various Fecund Theatre [25]
2007–2008 Much Ado About Nothing Margaret National Theatre [21]
2009 Bedroom Farce Jan West Yorkshire Playhouse [13]
2013 The Same Deep Water As Me Jen Needleman Donmar Warehouse [26]
2014 A Small Family Business Anita McCracken National Theatre [21]
2016–2019 The Catherine Tate Show Live Various Various venues across the UK, Australia and New Zealand [27]
2017 Twelfth Night Maria National Theatre [16]
2018 Mayfly Cat Orange Tree Theatre [21]
2022 Jerusalem Linda Fawcett Apollo Theatre [28]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hilton, Beth (2006-01-14). "An Interview with - Niky Wardley". Scilly News. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  2. ↑ Moore, Camille (2022-03-31). "10 Things You Didn't Know about Niky Wardley". TVOvermind. Retrieved 2022-09-24. She studied acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) which has a long history of producing very talented performers.
  3. 1 2 3 Cornah, Joel (2016-02-07). "Niky Wardley Interview - Big Finish Doctor Who Companion". Sci-fi and Fantasy Network. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  4. ↑ "Catherine Tate: The shy star". The Independent. 2006-12-23. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  5. ↑ Maxwell, Dominic (2010-11-29). "Catherine Tate, quite a character". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2022-09-25. And Tate has maintained that richer tone for My First Nativity, an autobiographical 13-minute film she has written and, for the first time, directed as part of Sky1's Little Crackers season.
  6. ↑ "Catherine Tate on Queen of Oz - "She's spoilt, entitled and deeply unpleasant which of course makes her a great character to play"". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
  7. 1 2 3 Spragg, Paul (2010-10-20). Briggs, Nicholas; Richardson, David (eds.). "Drew on Her Own Experience". Vortex: The Big Finish Magazine. Big Finish Productions Ltd. (20): 7–8.
  8. ↑ "Tamsin Drew | Doctor Who World". Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  9. ↑ "4.10. Doctor Who: To the Death - Doctor Who - The Eighth Doctor Adventures - Big Finish". www.bigfinish.com. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  10. ↑ Blair, Andrew (2013-10-15). "A guide to the Eighth Doctor Audio Adventures". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2022-09-23.
  11. ↑ "BBC - The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot". BBC. Retrieved 2022-09-23.
  12. ↑ Flavius, Lou (2020-03-08). "David Tennant & Catherine Tate Are Reuniting for New Doctor Who Audio Dramas About Donna Noble". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2022-09-23. The series pairs Donna alongside her best mate Niky Wardly's Natalie Morrison...
  13. 1 2 Hutchinson, Charles (2009-06-17). "Review: Bedroom Farce, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, until July 4". York Press. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  14. ↑ "A Small Family Business". National Theatre Live. Archived from the original on 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  15. 1 2 "Production of Much Ado About Nothing | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  16. 1 2 Cavendish, Dominic (2017-02-23). "Twelfth Night, National's Olivier Theatre review: Tamsin Greig shines in a production otherwise at sea". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  17. ↑ Wiegand, Chris (2020-04-20). "Tamsin Greig on Twelfth Night: 'The self-judgment of women is awful'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2022-09-24. As the National Theatre streams its acclaimed staging of Shakespeare's comedy...
  18. ↑ "Niky Wardley". Twitter. Retrieved 2022-09-24. Mum to two beauts.
  19. ↑ Wardley, Niky (2018-05-30). "Today I shall mainly be getting... MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!". Twitter. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  20. ↑ Wardley, Niky (2022-05-30). "4 years ago today, this happened. The most incredible day with the most beautiful folk. I love you, Daniel ⁦@DanHawksford". Twitter. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "Niky Wardley | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  22. ↑ "THREE SISTERS. To 11 May". ReviewsGate. 2002-04-19. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  23. ↑ "Our Country's Good". Daily Echo. 25 October 2002. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  24. ↑ "Making Waves, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough". The Guardian. 2003-05-03. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  25. ↑ Hutera, Donald. "Hello You". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  26. ↑ "Theatre review: The Same Deep Water as Me - Beware the yob with the perfect scam". The Independent. 2013-08-10. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  27. ↑ "Catherine Tate review – droll superstar not bovvered by comeback pressure". The Guardian. 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
  28. ↑ "Further cast for Jerusalem in the West End with Mark Rylance announced". WhatsOnStage. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-24.
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