You can't be obsessed with Paramount+'s The Crow Girl (and we know you are) without becoming obsessed with Katherine Kelly's intriguing performance as psychotherapist Sophia Craven.
Kelly's talent is evident from the complexity she imbues Sophia with in this gripping crime thriller which sees her team up with Eve Myles's DCI Jeanette Kilburn to solve the murders of teenage boys.
Sophia is sharp, direct and withholding while simultaneously being soft, open and understanding and as the chemistry between her and Myles' Jeanette incrementally heats up their changing relationship becomes all the more engrossing.
The way Kelly ebbs and flows between these characteristics depending on the situation and her emotional state is effortless – just as cool, calm and collected as Sophia is – but The Crow Girl isn't the only show in which Kelly's performance reaches a 10 out of 10.
For those who have binged the thriller and are now looking for their next Kelly-fix, here are some of her best performances.
Coronation Street - Becky McDonald (neé Granger)
Kelly's Becky Granger made an impression when she stumbled onto the cobbles bringing a chaotic energy with her. Becky had a feisty personality coupled with a strong rebellious streak but her tough edge was softened by her fierce loyalty and heart of gold, swiftly earning her a place as a fan favourite in the show.
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The role quickly developed into one that allowed Kelly to show off her incredible range as Becky grew as a character, shedding some of her insecurities from a lifetime spent surrounded by the wrong crowd.
Across six years on the soap Becky learnt to embrace healthier situations and relationships that enabled her to know her worth, which also meant ditching ex-husband Steve. Coronation Street was Kelly's first permanent role and it was certainly memorable.
Gentleman Jack - Elizabeth Sutherland
Kelly's pinched performance as Elizabeth Sutherland in Gentleman Jack was so entertaining. There's something so relentlessly uneasy and careful about Anne Walker's older sister Elizabeth and it played out in the rigid nervousness that Kelly brought to the role.
Despite having everything she could ever want (from an early-1800s societal point of view) Elizabeth is desperately unhappy carrying the weight of the expectations placed on her with her husband's will always heavily impressing on her.
It's one of Kelly's quieter roles but the expressiveness she was able to bring to Elizabeth through a look, a tense smile or small gesture is exquisite.
Mr Selfridge - Lady Mae Loxley
A force to be reckoned with, Lady Mae Loxley was one of Mr Selfridge's most interesting characters and Kelly's performance is why.
Lady Loxley is insidiously uninhibited. While she may play the part of a high society lady very well she knows how to get what she wants in the most commanding yet ladylike way and it's all to do with charm. Kelly's Loxley is astute and savvy with a cheekiness that is wrapped up in a poised elegance. Ever the opportunist, Loxley seeks an opportunity and strikes without hesitation which makes for a very captivating character.
The Long Shadow - Emily Jackson
Quite a dark role for Kelly, the actress played Yorkshire Ripper victim Emily Jackson in the chilling thriller The Long Shadow.
Kelly brought Emily's tragedy to life as the mother-of-two who turned to sex work in order to support her family. The strain of Emily's life was evident not only in the way Kelly moved but also in the heaviness of voice. Her sadness seeped through right up until her haunting end.
Mr Bates vs the Post Office - Angela van den Bogerd
Playing businesswoman Angela van den Bogerd in Mr Bates vs The Post Office was one of Kelly's less sympathetic roles but only serves to prove that her capabilities and range have an endlessly wide scope.
In a scandal that devastated many post officer workers' lives and destroyed their financial stability, Kelly's Angela was a senior employee at the Post Office who obstructed the case during the court proceedings by giving false evidence.
Angela had an air of overconfidence but her keenly helpful nature creates a suspicion that lends itself to the doubt needed to land this role.
Criminal - Natalie Hobbs
Starring alongside David Tennant, Kelly played Detective Chief Inspector Natalie Hobbs who came to life in the role when interrogating alleged criminal Stacey (Hayley Atwell).
Natalie holds a mean gaze, determined and unyielding as she seeks the truth out of her suspect. However Kelly also brought elements of understanding and compassion to the character. Natalie is intuitive and she knows how to wield those qualities to get results which makes for a quietly powerful performance.
Liar - Karen Renton
Back in another police procedural role, this time Kelly starred as Detective Karen Renton. Kelly's Karen is bristly and cares nothing for being liked so long as her methods are effective. There's a laid back, detached coolness to the way she played Karen which is different to her more emotively driven style in Criminal.
Karen increases the pressure bit by bit as she pushes her suspects to a point of explosiveness. Her needling created much-needed tension in scenes and Kelly was perfect at achieving that.
Happy Valley - Jodie Shackleton
Kelly joined the second season of Happy Valley as DI Jodie Shackleton, part of a team who were tasked with tracking down a killer. The actress brought nuance to the role in which her character battles to prove that nepotism has nothing to do with her position on the force (given that her dad is a Chief Constable).
Kelly married vulnerability, seriousness and inquisitiveness well in Jodie's search for the truth.
All episodes of The Crow Girl are available to watch now on Paramount+.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
