{{Short description|English actress (born 1990)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Use British English|date=March 2012}} {{Infobox person | image = Nell Hudson in 2018 - StarFury Outlander Convention.jpg | caption = Nell Hudson in 2018 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1990|11|19}} | birth_place = Worcester, Worcestershire, England | other_names = | alma_mater = Oxford School of Drama | occupation = | years_active = 2012–present | mother = Cressida Connolly | family = Cyril Connolly (grandfather) | spouse = {{marriage|Maximillian King|2025}} | children = 1<ref>https://people.com/outlander-star-nell-hudson-welcomes-first-baby-with-husband-max-king-11786051</ref> | website = }} '''Ellen Rose O. Hudson''' (born 19 November 1990) is an English actress, author, and musician. She is best known for her recurring roles as Laoghaire MacKenzie in the Starz drama ''Outlander'' (2014–present) and Nancy Skerrett in the ITV historical drama ''Victoria'' (2016–2019).
==Early life== Hudson was born on 19 November 1990 to journalist and author Cressida Connolly<ref name=":45">{{Cite journal|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/authorinterviews/8652458/World-of-Cressida-Connolly-writer.html/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724113230/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/authorinterviews/8652458/World-of-Cressida-Connolly-writer.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-24|title=World of Cressida Connolly, writer|journal=The Daily Telegraph|first=Jessamy|last=Calkin|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref> and Charles Hudson, the middle of three children, and grew up on the Wyke Manor Estate in Wick near Pershore.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/1998010.a-tale-of-one-squire-and-his-confetti-field/|title=A tale of one squire and his confetti field|journal=Worcester News|first=Mike|last=Pryce|date=28 January 2008|access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref> Her older sister Violet is a journalist who has written for ''The Daily Telegraph'', ''The Spectator'',<ref name=":36">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thearticle.com/contributor/violethudson//|title=Violet Hudson - The Article|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref> and ''Tatler''.<ref name=":37">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tatler.com/article/no-noise-at-selfridges-review//|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814173618/https://www.tatler.com/article/no-noise-at-selfridges-review|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 August 2020|title=Selfridges' No-Noise Project - Review|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref>
As a teenager, Hudson decided to pursue acting.<ref name=":49">{{Cite web|url=https://starsandcelebs.com/2018/12/nell-hudson-star-victoria-outlander-dishes-life-work/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116100058/https://starsandcelebs.com/2018/12/nell-hudson-star-victoria-outlander-dishes-life-work/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=16 January 2019|title=Nell Hudson, star of 'Victoria' and 'Outlander' dishes on life and work - StarsAndCelebs.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> She trained at the Oxford School of Drama, performing in plays such as ''The Crucible'' and ''Closer'', eventually graduating with a degree in acting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.harpersbazaar.co.uk/people-parties/people-and-parties/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-outlanders-nell-hudson|title=Five Things You Need To Know About Outlander's Nell Hudson|year=2014|publisher=Harper's Bazaar UK|access-date=22 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=":49" /> Early in her career, she regularly featured in ''Tatler''.<ref name=":38">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tatler.com/the-tatler-list/h/nell-hudson/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121119071621/http://www.tatler.com/the-tatler-list/h/nell-hudson/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-11-19|title=Nell Hudson - Tatler|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref>
==Career== Hudson's first professional role, in 2012, was a guest spot in an episode of the fifteenth series of the BBC One medical drama ''Holby City''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pnfnf|title=Holby City - And We Banish Shade|year=2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=22 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=":39">{{Cite web|url=https://www.accessonline.com/articles/starzs-outlander-series-casts-its-laoghaire-mackenzie-exclusive-139001|title=Starz's Outlander Series Casts Its Laoghaire MacKenzie (Exclusive)|website=Access Online|language=en|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> Later that year she appeared in Garrick Hamm's short film ''Cast Offs'' and director Bruce Logan's short ''Les Bohemes''.<ref name=":39" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/news-features/behind-scenes-sonys-short-film-les-bohemes-407736|title=Behind the Scenes of Sony's Short Film 'Les Bohemes'|last=Kreindler|first=Sarv|website=Creative Planet Network|language=en-us|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref> In 2014, she landed the role of Laoghaire MacKenzie in Starz's time travel drama ''Outlander,'' based upon Diana Gabaldon's best-selling book series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/starzs-outlander-series-casts-its-laoghaire-mackenzie-exclusive_article_85795|title=Starz's Outlander series casts its Laoghaire MacKenzie (Exclusive)|year=2013|publisher=Access Hollywood|access-date=22 October 2014|archive-date=30 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930030139/http://www.accesshollywood.com/starzs-outlander-series-casts-its-laoghaire-mackenzie-exclusive_article_85795|url-status=dead}}</ref> The character is recurring and will continue throughout the series. On her character during the series' mid-season episode, Hudson stated that "when you are in just a lot of pain, it comes out as anger... I think that's quite a human characteristic, basically, and I think that's definitely what happens is that she's [Laoghaire] got all this pain and she doesn't know what to do with it and it comes out in this very kind of aggressive way and she does whatever she can do to rectify the situation."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/outlander-nell-hudson-on-heartbroken-laoghaire_article_106334|title='Outlander': Nell Hudson on heartbroken Laoghaire|year=2015|work=Access Hollywood|access-date=22 April 2015|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905002108/http://www.accesshollywood.com/outlander-nell-hudson-on-heartbroken-laoghaire_article_106334|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Hudson guest-starred as Paulette Roland, a 17-year-old girl with Type 1 diabetes who discovers that she is pregnant, in series four of the BBC medical period drama ''Call the Midwife''. The episode, which aired on 22 February 2015, explores the character's struggle with the possibility of either a dangerous pregnancy or a legal abortion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cultbox.co.uk/reviews/episodes/call-the-midwife-s04e06-season-4-episode-6-review|title='Call the Midwife' Season 4 Episode 6 review|date=22 February 2015|publisher=Cultbox|first=Simon|last=Cocks|access-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> That same year she guest starred in NBC's international crime drama ''Crossing Lines''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/crossing-lines/dragon-3255986/|title=Crossing Lines: Dragon|last=TV.com|website=TV.com|access-date=2019-01-14|archive-date=16 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116100307/http://www.tv.com/shows/crossing-lines/dragon-3255986/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 14 May 2015, Hudson played Lydia Bennet in Tamara Harvey's production of Jane Austen's ''Pride and Prejudice'' at the Sheffield Crucible, alongside James Northcote and Isabella Laughland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/sheffield-theatre/news/pride-prejudice-sheffield-crucible-images-photos_37806.html|title=First look at the cast of Pride and Prejudice at Sheffield Crucible|date=23 May 2015|publisher=WhatsOnStage|first=Ben|last=Hewis|access-date=13 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/about/news/press-releases/full-casting-announced-for-pride-and-prejudice/|title=Full Casting Announced For Pride & Prejudice|date=10 April 2015|publisher=Sheffield Theatres|access-date=13 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924101206/http://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/about/news/press-releases/full-casting-announced-for-pride-and-prejudice/|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2016, Hudson was featured in a series one episode of Sky One's amateur detective series ''Agatha Raisin,'' based upon the book series by MC Beaton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/d8jmdj/agatha-raisin--s1-e6-the-day-the-floods-came/|title=Agatha Raisin - S1 - Episode 6: The Day the Floods Came|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2019-01-15|archive-date=16 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116100039/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/d8jmdj/agatha-raisin--s1-e6-the-day-the-floods-came/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hudson also appears in ITV's ''Victoria'', a period drama centering on the life of British monarch Queen Victoria.<ref name=":41">{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/nell-hudson-filming-victoria-was-like-an-eightmonth-long-school-trip-a3617226.html|title=Nell Hudson says filming Victoria was like an eight-month long school trip|date=2017-08-22|website=Evening Standard|first=Emma|last=Powell|language=en|access-date=2019-01-15}}</ref> She portrays Nancy Skerrett, the Queen's dresser, in the ongoing series.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/style/849420/Victoria-star-Nell-Hudson-fashion-secrets|title=Victoria star Nell Hudson on fashion secrets: My favourite decade is the 70s|last=Welch|first=Tricia|date=2017-09-04|website=Express.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-01-14}}</ref>
BBC's drama ''Informer'' (2018), about police informants, sees Hudson in the role of Charlotte Humphreys, an art student and potential love interest to main character Raza.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-11-06/informer-bbc1-cast-character-guide-who-stars/|title=Meet the cast of BBC1 thriller Informer|website=Radio Times|language=en|access-date=2019-01-15|archive-date=16 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116095931/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-11-06/informer-bbc1-cast-character-guide-who-stars/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Hudson had her first major film role in the 2022 installment of ''Texas Chainsaw Massacre''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://movieweb.com/dont-breathe-2-texas-chainsaw-massacre-reboot-update/ |title='Don't Breathe 2' & 'Texas Chainsaw' Sequel Are Finished and Fantastic Teases Producer |website=MovieWeb |first=Jon |last=Fuge |date=22 March 2021 |access-date=9 July 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a39103386/outlander-nell-hudson-texas-chainsaw-massacre-interview/|title=Nell Hudson on Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Outlander and her debut novel|journal=Digital Spy|first=Ian|last=Sandwell|date=16 February 2022|access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref> The following year, she played Clarissa Frost in the Paramount+ adaptation of ''The Doll Factory''.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/502858/outlander-star-teams-up-derry-girls-actress-the-doll-factory-details/|title=Outlander star teams up with Derry Girls actress for new drama - and it sounds right up our street|journal=Hello!|first=Emmy|last=Griffiths|date=20 September 2023|access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref>
===Music=== Hudson worked briefly as a professional singer-songwriter, headlining at London's famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, as well as touring with Jools Holland. She plays the piano and ukulele.<ref name=":41" /><ref name=":42" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.you.co.uk/victoria-returns-actress-nell-hudson-gives-us-set-gossip/|title=As the hit TV series Victoria returns, actress Nell Hudson gives us the on-set gossip|year=2017|work=You Magazine|access-date=18 March 2021|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206015649/https://www.you.co.uk/victoria-returns-actress-nell-hudson-gives-us-set-gossip/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Writing=== Hudson's debut novel, a story of friendship amid loss titled ''Just For Today'', was released in early 2022 through Tinder Press.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Actress Hudson's debut lights up Tinder|url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/actress-hudsons-d-lights-tinder-1221718|first=Tom|last=Tivnan|access-date=2020-10-27|website=The Bookseller}}</ref>
== Personal life == Hudson lived in East London as of 2017<ref name=":41"/> and has since moved to Peckham.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tellmehowyouremighty.com/cheating-is-abuse-an-interview-with-nell-hudson/|title='Cheating Is Abuse,' An Interview with Nell Hudson|work=Tell Me How You're Mighty|first=Tracy|last=Schorn|date=22 October 2024|accessdate=22 December 2024}}</ref> She is vegan.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/podcast/with-nell-hudson/|title=With Nell Hudson|journal=The Spectator|first1=Lara|last1=Prendergast|first2=Olivia|last2=Potts|date=7 June 2022|access-date=7 December 2023}}</ref>
In March 2024, Hudson announced her engagement to producer Maximillian "Max" King.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/breaking-outlander-nell-hudson-engaged-32197769|title='We're getting married!' Outlander star engaged as she's flooded with sweet messages from fans|work=OK!|first=Roxanne|last=Hughes|date=6 March 2024|accessdate=22 December 2024}}</ref> They were married in July 2025.<ref>{{Cite Instagram|postid=DLrnUi3tVIj|user=nell.hudson|title=First little look at some wedding pics ❤️ what can I say that hasn’t ever been said it really was the best day ever ❤️|date=July 4, 2025|author=Nell Hudson}}</ref>
In 2025, Hudson gave birth to a daughter.<ref>{{Cite Instagram|postid=DNBK5RftiRM|user=nell.hudson|title=1. I can’t believe everyone ever was given birth to by a woman and we all just go around like it’s normal. MOTHERS - I am in awe of all of you.|date=August 6, 2025|author=Nell Hudson}}</ref>
==Filmography== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2016 | ''Arrivals'' | Angel | |- | 2022 | ''Texas Chainsaw Massacre'' | Ruth | |- | 2023 | ''Haunting of the Queen Mary'' | Gwen Ratch | |- | 2025 | ''Salvable'' | Becky | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2012 | ''Holby City'' | Tasha Cairncross | Episode: "And We Banish Shade" |- | 2014–2018,<br>2024 | ''Outlander'' | Laoghaire MacKenzie | Recurring role, 10 episodes |- | rowspan="2"|2015 | ''Call the Midwife'' | Paulette Roland | Episode #4.6 |- | ''Crossing Lines'' | Aurelia Roche | Episode: "In Loco Parentis" |- | 2016 | ''Agatha Raisin'' | Kylie Stokes | Episode: "The Day the Floods Came" |- | 2016–2019 | ''Victoria'' | Nancy Skerrett | Recurring role; 24 episodes |- | 2018 | ''Informer'' | Charlotte Humphries | Miniseries; 4 episodes |- | 2020 | ''Death in Paradise'' | Tabitha Brown | Episode: "La Murder Le Diablé" |- | 2021 | ''The Irregulars'' | Princess Louise | 3 episodes |- | 2022 | ''Toast of Tinseltown'' | Gypsy | Episode: "Death Valley" |- | 2023 | ''The Doll Factory'' | Clarissa Frost | 6 episodes |- |}
===Theatre=== {| class="wikitable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Theatre |- | 2008 | ''Pride and Prejudice'' | Lydia Bennett | Sheffield Crucible |- |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result |- | 2017 | Satellite Awards | Best Ensemble (Television) | ''Outlander''<ref>{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nominations-for-the-21st-annual-international-press-academy-satellite-awards-300369489.html|title=Nominations for the 21st Annual International Press Academy Satellite™ Awards|last=Academy|first=International Press|website=prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-01-16}}</ref> | {{won}} |- |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb name|5430264}} * [https://spotlight.com/1110-5644-2833 Nell Hudson] at Spotlight
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hudson, Nell}} Category:Living people Category:1990 births Category:21st-century English actresses Category:Actors from Worcester, England Category:Actresses from Worcestershire Category:Alumni of the Oxford School of Drama Category:English film actresses Category:English people of Northern Ireland descent Category:English television actresses Category:People from Pershore Category:Actors from Wychavon