Michèle Winstanley is a talented British actress and playwright, born on January 26th, 1964, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, but raised in the Islington area. Her early start in the entertainment industry began in 1974 when she joined the Anna Scher Theatre.
At the age of 16, Winstanley landed the significant role of Cathy in Phil Redmond's groundbreaking drama series, 'Going Out', which was the first British television series specifically targeting a teenage audience. This role marked the beginning of her successful career in television.
Winstanley has collaborated with cult director Alex Cox on several projects, including the films 'Straight To Hell' and 'Sid and Nancy'. Additionally, she is notable for her portrayal of Karen, the barmaid at The Nags Head, in the popular British sitcom 'Only Fools and Horses'.
Winstanley has also had a successful career in commercials, featuring in over fifty Safeways advertisements. She played the role of Harry's mother in their long-running campaign, which followed the adventures of a thoughtful toddler voiced by Martin Clunes.
In the mid-1990s, Winstanley ventured into playwriting. Her debut play, 'Keepers', was picked up and produced at Hampstead Theatre in 2000. Winstanley is married to Ian Michie, and they have one daughter together.
After taking a break from her career to raise her daughter and learn sign language, Winstanley returned to writing and acting. Her award-nominated play, 'Broken Water', premiered at the Arcola Theatre in 2024, showcasing her continued talent and dedication to her craft.
