Childhood & Early Life
Dominique McElligott was born on May 3, 1986, in Dublin, Ireland. Ever since she was a kid, she found the world of acting immensely fascinating. As a child, she observed Daniel Day Lewis’s performance in the film ‘My Left Foot.’ That was when she became aware of the art of acting.
However, she knew it was not easy. She was not serious about it initially. It was after she joined drama classes that she became really interested in the prospect of becoming an actor.
She credits her drama teacher during her school days for making her passionate about acting. She had incidentally set up many auditions for Dominique for films and TV. Dominique started appearing in auditions and some of them turned out to be successful. She made her acting debut at the age of 15.
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Career
In 2001, Dominique made her acting debut with a low-budget Irish TV series called ‘On Home Ground.’ In her debut series, Dominique portrayed ‘Cora Collins’ in 10 episodes. She was 15 years old at that time, and it was quite an enriching experience for her and pushed her further into the entertainment industry.
After the series, Dominique resumed her education. She took a break from screen acting, but did some theater. Following her graduation, she resumed her acting career in 2005, with a TV film titled ‘Whiskey Echo.’ The film featured her in the role of ‘Rachel.’
In 2008, she made her film debut with the horror film ‘Dark Floors.’ She essayed the role of ‘Emily’ in the film. It was a critical and a commercial disaster. However, the film managed to get some good reviews due to its plot and the performances of its actors.
The same year, Dominique appeared as ‘Lauren’ in the pilot of the British supernatural comedy drama film ‘Being Human.’ Later that year, she was cast in a supporting role in the Irish drama series titled ‘Raw.’ She portrayed ‘Rebecca Marsh’ in the first season of the series, which was a commercial and critical success.
In 2009, Dominique had a major film breakthrough when she was cast in the science-fiction film ‘Moon.’ The film featured Sam Rockwell in the lead role, while Dominique essayed the role of ‘Tess Bell.’ The film was a critical delight, earning accolades at the ‘Sundance Film Festival.’ Upon its mainstream release, the film became a financial success and earned the status of a cult classic film over the years.
In 2009, Dominique also appeared in the action series titled ‘The Philanthropist,’ which featured her in the role of ‘Bella Olazabal.’
The 2010 film ‘Leap Year’ featured Dominique in a minor part of a bride.
2011 turned out to be the best year for Dominique’s career. She first appeared in an Irish independent film titled ‘The Guard.’ The film, in which she essayed the supporting role of ‘Aoife O’Carroll,’ became a huge critical and commercial success. In terms of box-office earnings, ‘The Guard’ ended up being the highest-earning Irish independent film of all time.
The same year, she was also cast in the American western series ‘Hell on Wheels.’ Dominique played a widow named ‘Lily Bell,’ one of the key roles of the series. The series ran for five seasons, but Dominique appeared only in 19 episodes of the first two seasons. The series won critical acclaim, and so did the performances. This was also Dominique’s first mainstream foray into American households, and she amassed a huge fan following.
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In 2011, Dominique appeared on the big screen, playing ‘Etta Place’ in the western film titled ‘Blackthorn.’ The film was screened at the ‘Tribeca Film Festival,’ along with many other festivals and was hailed. However, upon its mainstream release, the film only managed to receive mixed reviews.
In 2012, Dominique appeared in the supporting role of ‘Joy Dietz’ in the drama film titled ‘Not Fade Away.’
In 2015, Dominique was offered the role of ‘Louise Shepard,’ one of the lead roles in the period drama series titled ‘The Astronaut Wives Club.’
The following year, she got a major break in the political drama series ‘House of Cards.’ The series featured her as ‘Hannah Conway,’ the wife of New York governor and ‘Republican’ presidential nominee ‘Will Conway.’ She appeared in the fourth and the fifth seasons of the series. The series happens to be one of the most critically and commercially acclaimed series of the contemporary times. In 2017, she was nominated for the ‘Irish Film and Television Award’ for the ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Drama’ for her performance in the series.
In 2016, she was also seen playing ‘Kathleen Moore’ in the series ‘The Last Tycoon.’ The series ran for one season, and Dominique appeared in all its nine episodes.
In 2019, Dominique started appearing in the superhero series ‘The Boys,’ playing ‘Queen Maeve.’
Facts About Dominique McElligott
Dominique McElligott is known for her love of hiking and outdoor adventures, often sharing photos of her travels on social media.
She is a talented artist and enjoys painting in her free time, finding inspiration in nature and her travels.
McElligott is a self-proclaimed foodie and loves trying new cuisines and cooking up delicious meals at home.
She has a passion for sustainability and environmental conservation, actively supporting eco-friendly initiatives and organizations.
In addition to acting, McElligott is also skilled in horseback riding and has a deep connection with animals.
