Photo credit HBO

Photo Credit: The Independent

Gemma Whelan is not a name that sparks anywhere near universal recognition. If you know this actress it is almost certainly because of her terrific performance as the unstoppable and steadfast Yara
Greyjoy in HBO’s Game of Thrones,  but her talents run further afield than the tough and dramatic Queen of the Iron Islands.

Photo Credit BBC

About a year ago my sweetie-wife and I began watching a British comedy program Upstart Crow a sit-com that centers on a highly fictionalize version of William Shakespeare’s life. (Though it has enough crosses with reality that it brings forward a number of interesting takes on other historical characters including a fabulous version of Christopher Marlowe.) Gemma Whelan plays Kate the daughter of the landlady who rents Will his London’s residence. Book-smart, inquisitive, and deeply compassionate, whose utmost desire if to be an actress, illegal for women in Elizabethan England, Kate is about as far from Yara as two character can possibly be. I admit that when Gemma first appeared in the Upstart Crow  I did not recognize her as the same actress as the hard Greyjoy but my sweetie-wife did. Gemma’s comedic talent and timing is impeccable often stealing scenes away from much more established comedian/actors. I do hope that the massive global success of HOB’s series launches this talented actor on a flight path for fame and endless interesting roles.