As she waits the pitter patter of tiny feet, Michelle’s career is continuing to go from strength to strength as she returns to TV in Ten Pound Poms
Michelle Keegan is currently preparing for her biggest role to date after confirming she is pregnant with her and her husband Mark Wright’s first child.
But as they await the pitter patter of tiny feet, Michelle’s career is continuing to go from strength to strength and from Sunday night (March 9), the actress will be back on the small screen in the second series of Ten Pound Poms.
Michelle headed to Australia back in early 2024 to film season two of the BBC One drama. The 37-year-old filmed Down Under for her role as Kate Thorne in the show- about Brits who migrated to Australia after World War II.
It was revealed during the first season that Michelle’s alter ego Kate had travelled to Australia to retrieve her son Michael (Alastair Bradman) – who had been shipped across the world to be adopted by a childless Australian couple as she suffered from postnatal depression – and the star revealed that the harrowing experience was a reality for some parents.
The second season will tell more stories of parenting, family life and complex dynamics as the characters’ drama transcends the difficulties of immigration. It will also feature the introduction of a new character – an unscrupulous landlord named Benny Bates, played by Marcus Graham.
Michelle grew up in Greater Manchester with her parents Michael Keegan and Jackie Turner and her younger brother Andrew. She attended St Patrick’s RC High School in Eccles and later the Manchester School of Acting, where fellow Coronation Street alumni Suranne Jones also studied.
But, before getting her first role, Michelle’s first jobs included working at Selfridges in the Trafford Centre on a make-up counter, having worked at various stores from the age of 15 to 20, and at Manchester Airport as a check-in agent.
It wasn’t too long after that she was offered the part of Tina McIntyre in Corrie in only her second-ever audition in 2007. And, as we now know, she accepted the role, beating around 900 other people who auditioned, and made her debut on-screen in 2008.
Seven years later and Tina was pushed off the balcony of the Builder’s Yard and beaten unconscious by Rob Donovan in an attempt to silence her over his dodgy dealing, and later died in hospital, leading to Michelle’s exit in 2014.
During her time in Corrie, Michelle won a host of British Soap Awards, including for Best Actress and Sexiest Female. The year after leaving, Michelle landed her next big role in the BBC’s drama Ordinary Lies. in which she played Tracy Shawcross. That same year, the former soap star announced her biggest role to date, as she landed a part in Our Girl, playing Corporal Georgie Lane, which aired in 2016.
She went on to act in the following two series after this in 2017 and 2020, taking over from EastEnders star Lacey Turner, who played the lead role of Molly Dawes in the pilot and first series of the military drama series. In between, in 2017, Michelle took on the role of Tina in the drama which depicted Tina Dean’s and World Cup ’66 England captain Bobby Moore’s relationship, ITV’s three-part series Tina & Bobby.
Then, in 2019, she was cast in Brassic where she had played the main role of Erin Croft for several years, with the seventh season set to be the comedy series’ last, before signing up for Ten Pound Poms.
As for Michelle’s personal life, she is happily married to former The Only Way is Essex star Mark Wright. Before dating Mark, Michelle had another serious relationship with The Wanted musician Max George. The pair became engaged in 2011 but ended their relationship the following year.
But after meeting Mark, the pair tied the knot back in May 2015 after getting engaged in 2013, following nine months of dating. They got married at St Mary’s Church in Bury St Edmonds before finishing the celebrations at Hengrave Hall in Suffolk, in a marquee within the picturesque grounds.
Michelle and Mark then sent fans wild when they announced the news in a joyous update just after Christmas. The couple shared the news with their millions of followers by sharing a gorgeous picture showcasing the former soap star’s blossoming baby bump alongside former TOWIE star Mark, who could be seen looking at his wife adoringly.
The pair, who will be celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary in May, told fans: “2025 is going to be a special one for us…” as they shared the announcement with a stunning photo which showed the couple on a beach with the sun shining.
