Rebecca Atkinson


Rebecca Atkinson is an English actress, known for portraying Karen Maguire in Shameless from 2004 until 2013.

Early life and education

Atkinson studied theatre and dance at Preston College.

Career

Before her television appearances, Atkinson attended the David Johnson Drama and taught dancing in Goostrey for the Glenda Ann School of Dancing.
In 2004, Atkinson began playing Karen Maguire in Channel 4's popular comedy drama series, Shameless, and appeared in all 11 series. She has also appeared in Life on [Mars (British TV series)|Life On Mars], Ideal and BBC Three sitcom Trexx and Flipside. In October 2016, Atkinson joined the cast of BBC Scotland soap opera, River City, as Belinda Roberts.
She has had minor parts in many shows, including playing Asia in four episodes of BBC comedy series Ideal, and two episodes of New Street Law, where she played a character named Susie Hardwick. She appeared in Heartbeat in 2002 and 2006 playing two different characters. She has also had single appearances in Life on Mars, Holby City, The Bill, Coronation Street, Doctors and The Royal. She appeared in Children's Ward. She also appeared in the film adaptation of Kevin Sampson's Awaydays, released in 2009. She has now had a role in Wait For Me playing Lisa.

Personal life

Her husband is Shameless co-star, Ben Batt, who played Joe Pritchard. They met on the set in 2008, the couple have a son, Jack, born in 2016. The couple were later married in March 2025.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002-2006HeartbeatLinda2 episodes
2002Coronation StreetStephanie Mills3 episode
2003The RoyalSuzanne1 episode
2004–2013ShamelessKaren MaguireSeries regular; 130 episodes
2005-2017DoctorsSharon Irvine1 episode
2005The BillCaitlin Vicars1 episode
2006-2019Holby CitySavanna2 episodes
2006Life on MarsTina1 episode
2005–2006IdealAsiaRecurring role; 5 episodes
2006HeartbeatHayley Fenton1 episode
2006–2007New Street LawSusie Hardwick2 episodes
2008Trexx and FlipsideAmber1 episode
2010-2016Moving OnKaycee2 episode
2014Staff RoomLeigh1 episode
2015DoctorsSadie Mawby1 episode
2016Moving OnLaura1 episode
2016–2023River CityBelinda Roberts8 episodes
2017DoctorsHayley Armsden1 episode
2019-2021FlatmatesErin9 episodes
2019Holby CityDenise Mullins1 episode
2021Silent WitnessDr. Benning1 episode
2025Coronation StreetMandy Waring6 episodes