22 Facts About Charlene McKenna

Charlene McKenna became a household name in Ireland after starring as Jennifer Jackson in the miniseries Pure Mule.

Charlene McKenna appeared on Irish television in Single-Handed 2, Whistleblower, and Raw.

Since 2009, McKenna has appeared on British television as Rose Erskine in the BBC mystery drama Ripper Street, Leah Liebermann in the BBC psychological thriller Vienna Blood, Laura McKee in series five and six of Peaky Blinders, and DS Niamh McGovern in the BBC police procedural Bloodlands.

Charlene McKenna grew up in Glaslough, County Monaghan where her parents owned a mushroom farm and later The Pillar House pub.

Charlene McKenna attended St Louis Secondary School in Monaghan before going on to study Classical Music and Religious Education at Mater Dei Institute of Education in Dublin.

Charlene McKenna played Jennifer Jackson, a racy character, in the series.

Charlene McKenna appeared in The Old Curiosity Shop, a 2007 ITV adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel of the same name starring Derek Jacobi, Toby Jones, Bradley Walsh, Zoe Wanamaker, Martin Freeman, Steve Pemberton, Anna Madeley and Gina McKee.

Charlene McKenna appeared in the second episode of Single-Handed 2, broadcast on 1 January 2008, in which Garda Sergeant Jack Driscoll investigated the case of the missing two-year-old son of her character, Eilish.

Charlene McKenna played Karen, a young mother who has an unnecessary hysterectomy performed on her after giving birth.

Charlene McKenna won the Outstanding Actress in a Mini-Series award for her role in Whistleblower at the Monte Carlo Television Festival in June 2009.

Raw, a six-part series set in a fictitious restaurant in Dublin, saw Charlene McKenna interact with Bachelors Walk actor Keith McErlean and Mistresses actress Shelley Conn.

Charlene McKenna departed Raw following the Season 5 finale on 10 February 2013.

In 2009, Charlene McKenna played the role of Paula Abbot in the second series of The Fixer.

In 2010, Charlene McKenna portrayed the young version of Josie, the love interest of vampire John Mitchell in BBC supernatural comedy-drama Being Human.

In 2011, Charlene McKenna appeared in an episode of Channel 4 comedy-drama Sirens.

Charlene McKenna played the eponymous antagonist "Lamia" in the eighth episode of the fourth season of Merlin.

Charlene McKenna starred as Seth's dead girlfriend Shannon in Misfits.

Between 2012 and 2016, Charlene McKenna appeared as Rose Erskine in BBC mystery drama Ripper Street.

In 2015, Charlene McKenna played Eva in AD The Bible Continues.

In 2019, Charlene McKenna appeared in the role of Leah Liebermann in BBC crime drama Vienna Blood.

In February 2021, Charlene McKenna played a lead role as Detective Sergeant Niamh McGovern in the BBC police procedural drama series, Bloodlands.

Charlene McKenna announced her engagement to American actor Adam Rothenberg in 2019.