Skip to content
MovieCove
Ashley Jensen

Ashley Jensen

Actor · Born August 11, 1969 (57) · Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK

Ashley Jensen (born August 11, 1969) is a Scottish actress. She is best known for her roles as Maggie Jacobs in Extras (2005–2007, for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award), Christina McKinney in Ugly Betty (2006–2010), Agatha Raisin in Agatha Raisin (2014–present), and DI Ruth Calder in Shetland (2023–present). Jensen trained in Drama at Edinburgh’s Queen Margaret University. Her first significant television role was as Clare Donnelly, daughter of Glasgow criminal Jo-Jo Donnelly (played by Billy Connolly) in the 1993 BBC drama Down Among the Big Boys. In 1994, she played eccentric secretary Rosie McConnichy in the final series of BBC comedy May to December, as a replacement for the character of secretary Hilary (Rebecca Lacey), and Heather in Roughnecks, a BBC television series about workers on a North Sea oil platform. Jensen had a small role in a Dangerfield episode "Contact" as the mother of a young girl with meningitis. She then appeared as Fiona Morris in EastEnders. She also appeared in the 2003 BBC drama Two Thousand Acres of Sky. Jensen co-starred alongside Ricky Gervais in the BBC Two/HBO television programme Extras as the socially inept Maggie Jacobs. For her work on the first series, she received best television comedy actress and newcomer awards at the 2005 British Comedy Awards. In 2006, Jensen received two British Comedy Awards and a BAFTA nomination for her role in Extras. Her role in the 2007 Christmas Special earned her an Emmy Award nomination. In January 2006 she starred in the short-lived drama series Eleventh Hour on ITV. Later that year she played Steve Coogan's agent in A Cock and Bull Story. In 2007, she provided the narration for the film Taking Liberties. In 2014, she played the eponymous lead character in the television film adaptation of the M. C. Beaton novel Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death for Sky1. She also starred in the eight-part series that first aired on Sky1 on 7 June 2016. In 2017, she starred in a six-part TV series for BBC TV, Love, Lies & Records, depicting the gritty life and entwined storylines working in Leeds Registry Office. In March 2019, Jensen reunited with Gervais in the Netflix black comedy series After Life, a role she continued for all three series. In April 2019 she played Debbie Dorell in the second series of BBC TV drama Trust Me. When an injured soldier discovers patients in his hospital ward dying, he attempts to investigate the suspicious deaths. Also in 2019, she played the voice of Jacqueline in Lady and the Tramp.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 11, 1969 (57)
From
Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
34 on MovieCove · 56 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27

What are Ashley Jensen's films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Animation3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Animation movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
40%
Self
24%
Society
17%
Morality
8%
Survival
8%
Ideas
2%
Power
1%
Family bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 10 · Serious 0 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 6 · Charged 4 · Intense 0

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 0

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 7

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

13 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 7 of 13 analyzed roles.

Ally
7 of 13
Hero
2 of 13
Herald
1 of 13
Mentor
1 of 13
Shapeshifter
1 of 13
Threshold guardian
1 of 13
Show the 13 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
15
Joyful
10
Contemplative
7
Melancholic
7
Tense
4
Other
17

How their films linger

Feel-good14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ashley Jensen's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 26 of their 34 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ashley Jensen's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

56 credits, 34 with a MovieCove page; 10 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Man vs Baby(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Janet

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Rikki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Narrator

  • Mayflies(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · as Anna

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Christmas on Mistletoe Farm(2022)

    as Ms Fletcher

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Dog Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 15 episodes · as Meagaidh (voice)

  • Agatha Raisin: Kissing Christmas Goodbye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Agatha Raisin

  • Lady and the Tramp(2019)

    as Jock (voice)

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • After Life(2019)

    Show 18 episodes · as Emma

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World(2019)

    as Phlegma (voice)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Aliens Love Underpants and...Panta Claus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Summer Camp Island(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as Miss Mary (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Sherlock Gnomes(2018)

    as Nanette (voice)

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Love, Lies and Records(2017)

    Show 6 episodes · as Kate Dickenson

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • DuckTales(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Downey McDuck (voice) · as Downy McDuck / Agnes McDuck / Danny McDuck (voice)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Trust Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Debbie Dorrell

  • The Secret Life of Kittens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Narrator

  • Agatha Raisin(2014)

    Show 25 episodes · as Agatha Raisin

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Facelifts and Fillers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Narrator

  • The Lobster(2015)

    as Biscuit Woman

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Barney Thomson(2015)

    as Detective Inspector June Robertson

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Insane Fight Club II - This Time It’s Personal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Narration

  • Catastrophe(2015)

    Show 24 episodes · as Fran

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Agatha Raisin

  • Small Time(2014)

    as Gail

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • The Escape Artist(2013)

    Show 3 episodes · as Kate Burton

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Love & Marriage(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sarah Paradise

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • All Stars(2013)

    as Gina

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Shetland(2013)

    Show 18 episodes · as DI Ruth Calder

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Pirates! Band of Misfits(2012)

    as The Surprisingly Curvaceous Pirate (voice)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Arthur Christmas(2011)

    as Bryony (voice)

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Hysteria(2011)

    as Fanny

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Gnomeo & Juliet(2011)

    as Nanette (voice)

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Reckoning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sally Wilson

  • How to Train Your Dragon(2010)

    as Phlegma the Fierce (Voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Nativity!(2009)

    as Jennifer Lore

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Accidentally on Purpose(2009)

    Show 18 episodes · as Olivia

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • A Shot To The Mouth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as (archive footage)

  • No Holds Bard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Isobel

  • Taking Liberties (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Narration

  • Ugly Betty(2006)

    Show 66 episodes · as Christina McKinney

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Eleventh Hour(2006)

    Show 4 episodes · as Rachel Young

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Extras(2005)

    Show 12 episodes · as Maggie Jacobs

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Tristram Shandy(2005)

    as Lindsey

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Rebus(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Mhairi Henderson

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Topsy-Turvy(1999)

    as Miss Tringham

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • City Central (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 32 episodes · Actor

  • Bad Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 6 episodes · as Morag Hood

  • Silent Witness(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Waiting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Amanda Cookson

  • Takin' Over the Asylum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 6 episodes · as Kathleen

  • Roughnecks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 13 episodes · as Heather

  • Down Among the Big Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Claire Donnelly

  • Rab C. Nesbitt Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Isobel / Rena

  • Tickets for the Zoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Eleanor

  • Dreaming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Betting Shop Cashier

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jess · as Stella

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 56 titles from 1986 to 2025; peak year 2010.

Biggest box office

Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)

$194M worldwide

Highest rated

After Life (2019)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Ugly Betty (2006)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19862025

Peak 2010 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting56 of 56: 56 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score69th

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s11 · acting2000s10 · acting2010s28 · acting2020s6 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles
0515

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Ashley Jensen's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 69th percentile, the median of all 16; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 48th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 34 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 34 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

All Stars (2013)

85th percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 43. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ashley Jensen's work okay for kids?

Across up to 12 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles11–41 · median 22 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity12 titles14–59 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles7–82 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles13–51 · median 24 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense7 titles18–36 · median 26 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Ashley Jensen work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ashley Jensen's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Debbie Isitt shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers