Katie McGrath

Katie McGrath, born in 1983, is an Irish actress best known for playing Morgana in the 2008 BBC One TV series Merlin, which aired in the United States on NBC beginning in June 2009.

McGrath graduated with a degree in History from Trinity College, Dublin. She wanted to work in fashion journalism and took a job at Image magazine, before becoming a wardrobe assistant on the set of The Tudors.

While working on The Tudors, McGrath was advised to try acting, so she sent photographs around Irish agents. She then won a small role in the series (Season 2 episode 5).

She said: "A couple of the producers said I should give acting a try. I just thought, ‘Why not?’ It’s like running away to join the circus, everyone wants to do it when they’re young but then you grow up and get a proper job. But somebody’s got to do it or you wouldn’t have the circus."

She also appeared in the feature films Eden and Freakdog, before being cast in Merlin.

McGrath is also set to star in a five-part docudrama for Channel 4 exploring the life of the Queen, in which she will play a young Princess Margaret She returned to Merlin for its second season, which began broadcasting in the UK on 19 September 2009.