Graduations 2024: ITV Drama ‘Grace’ star Laura Elphinstone receives University honour

Published on 26, November, 2024

ITV Drama Grace star Laura Elphinstone has been awarded the conferment of an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the University of Sunderland.

Laura was born in South Shields in 1982 but grew up on Barnes View in Sunderland with her brother Sam and her parents Judith, who was a teacher at Thornhill School and Christopher, who later on in life became a professional director at the Customs House Theatre in South Shields. 

As a child, Laura grew up around amateur theatre with her parents directing and performing regularly at the Royalty Theatre Sunderland.

Setting her first steps on stage, Laura often performed at Royalty Theatre and also in shows staged by The Sunderland Amateur Operatic Society at the Empire Theatre. 

Laura went on to study a BTEC National Diploma of Performing Arts at Newcastle College.

In 2001, Laura moved to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama which offered her the chance to learn the skills she needed to pursue a career as an actor.

Laura’s first role was in the play Country Music at the Royal Court Theatre in 2004 where she brought Sunderland to the West End with her portrayal of Wearside-born Emma, the daughter of the play’s protagonist Jamie.

Laura went on to act in multiple plays including most notably The RSC production of The White Devil directed by Maria Aberg in 2014 and the National Theatre’s 2015 production of Jane Eyre directed by Sally Cookson. 

Alongside her multiple roles in theatre, Laura’s career took to the screen starting with her first TV role on the 2008 BBC adaptation of Tess of the D’Urbervilles.

Since then, Laura has worked on multiple block busting shows. From being chased by dragons in Game of Thrones, investigating allegations of corruption in Line of Duty and retelling the harrowing stories of everyday people on Chernobyl, her rich catalogue of roles has taken her across the globe. 

Laura has also appeared on the silver screen where she has featured in films such as the Military Wives Choir and Peterloo.

Most recently, Laura stared as DS Bella Moy in the ITV drama Grace, and in October this year, she finished filming their fifth series.

Though Laura lives in London she’s a proud Mackem and looks forward to continuing her support for programs in the north-east that ensure access to the arts is broad and is available for all. 

Laura said: “I can’t tell you how chuffed and genuinely moved I am to have received this honorary degree from the University of Sunderland and especially to be receiving it in the Stadium of Light where I got my first job at 16 waitering.”

Laura received her honour at the Stadium of Light on Monday 25 November 2024 during the University’s winter graduations, which she attended with her husband Tim, her mum Judith, her brother Sam and her aunt Hilary.

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