Ashley Jensen

Ashley Jensen trained at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Her first big television role was as eccentric secretary Rosie McConnichy in the final series of BBC comedy May to December, as a replacement for the hugely popular character of secretary Hilary. In 1996 she played Clare Donnelly, the daughter of Glasgow criminal Jo-Jo Donnelly (played by Billy Connolly) in the BBC Scotland drama Down Among the Big Boys. She then appeared as Fiona Morris in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.

Jensen stars alongside Ricky Gervais in the BBC Two/HBO television programme Extras. For her work on the first series, she received best television comedy actress and newcomer awards at the 2005 British Comedy Awards. In 2006, Jensen received two British Comedy Awards and a BAFTA nomination for her role in Extras.

In January 2006 she starred in the short-lived drama series Eleventh Hour on ITV1, alongside Patrick Stewart. Stewart had also appeared in an episode of Extras, in which he attempted to get Jensen's character Maggie to appear in his new pet project. Later that year she played Steve Coogan's agent in A Cock and Bull Story.

In September 2006 Jensen appeared as Christina McKinney in the ABC comedy Ugly Betty. Christina not only works in the "closet" of New York fashion magazine Mode, but is also Betty's only true ally. Her character in Ugly Betty was originally an American. When she met with the show's producers they decided to change the nationality of the character because they liked Jensen's accent.

Jensen has appeared in a number of films. In 2007, she provided the narration for the UK film Taking Liberties, directed by Chris Atkins (Revolver Films). She also appeared in "Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story" in 2006.

In 2008, she got an Emmy nomination in the Supporting Actress in a Mini Series or Movie category for her work on "Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale".