Monica Dolan had an incredible 2024 when it came to her career, with the actress starring in major roles in both Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office and Sherwood, both of which have seen her earn two BAFTA nominations.
The star is up for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, but what do you know of the 56-year-old?
Keep reading for all we know, from her family losses to her private love life...
Childhood and family deaths
Monica was born in Middlesbrough to Irish parents. While her mum, from Enniscorthy, studied botany and biochemistry before becoming a research worker and then a teacher, her father was a chemical engineer from Dublin.
While Monica didn't follow in her parents' footsteps and pursued a career in the arts, her mum and dad were very supportive of her acting dreams. "My parents were both extraordinarily supportive," she told The Guardian in 2019. "I remember they practised the drive twice to the theatre where I was to audition for a council grant for drama school, so that there was no chance of me being late!"
© ITV STUDIOSOne of four, Monica had two sisters and one brother but sadly lost two of her siblings: her sister to cancer in 2008 and her brother to Covid in 2020.
Monica previously opened up about losing her brother, who died aged 56, in an interview with The Guardian. "It was Covid and pneumonia," she said in 2020.
© BBC/Sam Taylor"I really, really feel for my mum, because she's outlived two of her children. She's 86, and she's absolutely incredible," continued the actress. "She's just so strong. I can't imagine many people coping with it."
Speaking about her grief, Monica continued: "I think that what I find quite difficult is that it's my brother, and it's intensely personal, and I love him so much, and at the same time his death suddenly becomes part of a wider global narrative, and I don't know how I feel about that, really. I'm sure a lot of people are feeling like that."
Monica's love life
Monica, who lives in London, shared a rare insight into her love life earlier this year when asked about her "biggest disappointment" during an interview with The Guardian. "Not marrying the person I wanted to marry, but now I think it's probably good that I didn't," revealed the actress.
Monica tends to keep her private life out of the spotlight and so little is known about her relationship history.
