Joy McAvoy
Joy McAvoy is a Scottish actress. She began her career in 2003 starring in several short indie films and one-off television appearances before making her feature film debut in the 2012 comedy film The Angels' Share. From 2018 to 2025, she played the role of Michelle in the BBC Scotland sitcom Two [Doors Down (TV series)|Two Doors Down].
Personal life
McAvoy was born on 2 August 1982 in Glasgow, to bus-driver-turned-builder James McAvoy and psychiatric nurse Elizabeth. She was brought up as a Roman Catholic. Her parents separated when she was four and divorced when she was eight. McAvoy's mother suffered from poor health throughout her childhood. McAvoy is the younger sister of Hollywood actor James McAvoy and has a younger half-brother named Donald. Her brother James confirmed in an interview with The Guardian that both of their parents were deceased.She attended the Catholic St. [Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Jordanhill|St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School] in Jordanhill.
McAvoy is open about criticising accusations of nepotism as her older brother, James McAvoy, is a Hollywood A-Lister, stating that “People always assume that”. In 2022, she gave birth to her first child, Jamie Clement, her water breaking on the set of Two Doors Down.
Career
After leaving college with a degree in camera work, she decided to become an actress. McAvoy's first major film role was as Estelle in the 2013 black comedy Filth, which she starred in alongside her older brother James.McAvoy has cited Two Doors Down as being her big break.