Inside Rivals star Katherine Parkinson’s life including MI5 ‘disappointment’ and ‘biggest regret’


Katherine Parkinson has become a household name following many successful years in British television, starring in famous shows like The IT Crowd, Doc Martin and Humans.

Now, the actress is about to gain yet more acclaim for her role in the new Disney Plus series, Rivals, which makes its debut tomorrow.

The raunchy new series, which is based on the best-selling books by iconic British author Jilly Cooper, boasts a star-studded cast that includes David Tennant, Danny Dyer and Aiden Turner.

Katherine, 46, is sure to win hearts around the world with her latest performance opposite EastEnders legend Danny.

But what is the star’s life like off-screen? Ahead of the new series debut, we take a look inside the life of the actress best known for playing Pauline Lamb and Jen Barber.

Katherine Parkinson and Harry Peacock
Katherine Parkinson is married to Harry Peacock -Credit:GETTY

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Katherine has an impressive set of credentials, having studied at Oxford University before attending the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

She won her received a British Comedy Best TV Actress Award in 2009 and 2014 for her role as Jen Barber in Channel 4’s The IT Crowd and was twice nominated for the BAFTA Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance, winning in 2014.

She has also appeared in several high-profile stage plays, including 2007’s The Seagull and 2018’s Home, I’m Darling, for which she was nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Play.

The star is married to Toast of London actor Harry Peacock, whom she starred alongside in 2015 BBC sitcom The Kennedys, and the pair share two daughters named Dora and Gwendolyn.

Back in 2020, Katherine candidly opened up to the Guardian about her life off-screen, including her greatest fears, aspirations and regrets.

Katherine Parkinson and Chris O'Dowd
Katherine Parkinson won a BAFTA for her role in The IT Crowd -Credit:GETTY

Asked about her biggest fear, she revealed she is “pathetically scared of dogs”, which means filming Rivals alongside Alex Hassell, who plays dog-loving Rupert Campbell-Black, can’t have been easy.

She also opened up about her biggest physical insecurity, admitting: “My broken nose. I was assaulted in my 20s, and my nose is a constant reminder.”

She also shared that her dream while she was growing up was to be an astronaut, though that wasn’t the most surprising career revelation.

The actress went on to describe her “biggest disappointment” as “not getting into MI5”, which will be a shock to many fans.

She also detailed her biggest regret when asked: “If you could edit your past, what would you change?”

Katherine then made a reference to her future health, replying: “I wish I hadn’t been a heavy smoker for so many years.”

Katherine Parkinson playing Lizzie Vereker in new Disney Plus series Rivals
Katherine Parkinson plays Lizzie Vereker in new Disney Plus series Rivals -Credit:Disney Plus

Aside from the four actors mentioned above, Rivals also stars: Alex Hassell, Nafessa Williams, Bella Maclean, Victoria Smurfit, Lisa McGrillis, Emily Atack, Luke Pasqualino, Catriona Chandler, Gabriel Tierney, Gary Lamont and Lara Peake.

The synopsis for the forthcoming drama series reads: "Set in England 1986, Rivals is an adaptation of Jilly Cooper's second book in the Rutshire Chronicles that follows Rupert Campbell-Black, a notorious rake and famous showjumper before he quit for a career in politics, as he joins forces with his new neighbour Declan O'Hara to overthrow local unscrupulous television magnate Lord Tony Baddingham by bidding for his Cotswolds based independent television franchise.

"But Rupert and Declan's plans are disrupted by a blossoming romance between the famously womanising Rupert and Declan's innocent daughter Taggie O'Hara, a love triangle between Rupert, Tony and his right-hand woman, the brilliant American producer Cameron Cook and Declan's stormy relationship with his wife the dazzling actress Maud.

"In the backstabbing world of television where it is every man and woman for themselves, can 'true' love really blossom?"

Rivals premieres this Friday, October 18, exclusively on Disney+.