Angel Coulby


Angel Leonie Coulby is an English actress. She gained recognition for portraying the character Merlin characters#Guinevere|Gwen] in the BBC fantasy series Merlin.

Early life

Coulby was born and grew up in Finsbury Park, London, and is of Afro-Guyanese descent. She studied for a degree in Acting at the Queen Margaret University School of Drama in Edinburgh, achieving a first, and was awarded the Society of [London Theatre#Laurence Olivier Bursary|Laurence Olivier Bursary] in 2000.

Career

Coulby was first seen in an episode of Scariest Places on Earth as a student who had an encounter with a ghost. Her breakthrough came in 2001 with her role in the Johnny Vaughan BBC sitcom 'Orrible.
She was later chosen to play Gwen, also known as Guinevere who would later become Queen, in the BBC One fantasy TV series Merlin. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Coulby stated that in playing Gwen she "liked the idea that you go on a bit of a journey as an actor, starting off as a humble maidservant, kind of a bit bumbling, and then obviously growing into this very capable queen", and it was "really nice to have that range throughout a job". She starred in all five seasons, appearing in 61 of the 65 episodes.
She took the starring role of the jazz singer Jessie in the BBC Two Stephen Poliakoff six-part 2013 drama serial Dancing on the Edge, alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor, Wunmi Mosaku, John Goodman, Matthew Goode, Anthony Head, and Jacqueline Bisset.
It was announced in February 2013 that Coulby would star in The Tunnel, a British-French remake of the Scandinavian crime drama, The Bridge. She starred alongside Stephen Dillane and Clémence Poésy. The first series aired in late 2013, and Coulby reprised her role for a second series in 2016.
Coulby returned to the stage for the first time since 2014 in Rupert Goold's Albion at the Almeida Theatre in February 2020, which was filmed and broadcast on BBC Four in August 2020.
Coulby joined the cast of the Apple TV+ thriller Suspicion, which is a remake of the Hebrew-language series False Flag in March 2020. Coulby plays Vanessa Okoye, the investigator questioning the "five Brits, quickly pinpointed as the potential suspects" of the kidnapping in the thriller.
In June 2021, it was announced that Coulby would star in the series, The Net, as the character Diana. The Austrian football drama aired in November 2022 in conjunction with the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In November 2021 it was announced she would be in the Hampstead Theatre production of The Forest by Florian Zeller in 2022. She plays the mistress, Sophie, of the protagonist, Pierre.

Personal life

Coulby has a son, born in 2018.

TV Shows

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001'OrribleShiv4 episodes
2001Scariest Places on EarthAwassa Tact, name intended as wordplay on "I was attacked"Episode: "Exorcism: Greyfriars Cemetery 1"
2002CasualtySallyEpisode: "In the Heat of the Night"
2002Having It OffKylie RileyTV series
2002A Good ThiefLeah PickeringTV movie
2003'PC Louise FraserTV miniseries
2003ManchildPippa1 episode
2004Making WavesLMA Anita Cook2 episodes
2004As IfAmber7 episodes
2004ConvictionJemma Ryan6 episodes
2004Holby CityMaxine FramleyEpisode: "A Good Day to Bury Bad News"
2005The JacketIntern No. 2
2005M.I.T.: [Murder Investigation Team (TV series)|Murder Investigation Team]Lee Allanson1 episode
2005The League of Gentlemen's ApocalypseReceptionist
2005Imagine Me & YouAnna
2005VincentGillian Lafferty7 episodes
2006HustleAliceEpisode: "Hustle episodes#Series 3 (2006)|A Bollywood Dream]"
2006Doctor WhoKatherineEpisode: "The Girl in the Fireplace"
2006The BillZoe HughesEpisode: "Good for Gold"
2006Tripping OverCharity1 episode
2007Blue MurderKate Malin'Episode: "Crisis Management"
2007MagiciansReceptionist
2007Gina's Laughing GearNurse JonesEpisode: "Dollby City"
2007Secret LifeYoung MumTV movie
2007New Street LawSharon Weir1 episode
2007Talk to MeFaith4 episodes
2007'Rachael6 episodes
2007Life Is WildEpisode: "Heritage Day"
2008–2012MerlinGuinevere "Gwen"Main role; 61 episodes
2013Dancing on the EdgeJessie TaylorMain role
2013–2018The TunnelLaura RoebuckMain role; 21 episodes
2015–2020Thunderbirds Are GoTanusha "Kayo" KyranoMain role; voice
2016UndercoverJulia Redhead2 episodes
2016Hooten & the LadyMelinaEpisode: "Egypt"
2017Man in an Orange ShirtClaudie1 episode
2017Body SlamRuthShort movie
2018InnocentDetective Inspector Cathy HudsonMain role; 4 episodes
2020Moving OnLisaEpisode: "Time Out"
2022SuspicionVanessa OkoyeMain role; 8 episodes
2022The Net: PrometheusDianaTV series
2025What [It Feels Like for a Girl (TV series)|What It Feels Like for A Girl]MaggieTV series
2025Riot WomenJennyTV series

Theatre

YearTitleRoleDirectorCompanyNotes
2002Lavender BlueJessMuriel RomanesRoyal Lyceum Theatre
2007Statement of RegretIssimama BanjokoJeremy HerrinCottesloe Theatre
2014Good PeopleKatieJonathan KentHampstead Theatre / Noël Coward Theatre
2020AlbionAnnaRupert GooldAlmeida Theatre
2022The ForestSophieJonathan KentHampstead Theatre-

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRoleResult
2010Monte Carlo TV Festival AwardsGolden Nymph Outstanding Actress – Drama SeriesGwen in MerlinNomitated