Vicky McClure

Vicky McClure is a highly respected actress and advocate whose career and personal experiences have established her as an inspiring voice in the field of Diversity and Inclusion. Best known for her role as DI Kate Fleming in the BBC’s Line of Duty, her authenticity and determination have made her a household name in British television, while also championing the importance of representation, equality, and understanding in society, particularly for those from less fortunate backgrounds.

Growing up in Nottingham, Vicky trained at Central Television Workshop, which fosters young talent regardless of background. Early on, she encountered the limitations faced by working-class people in the arts: scripts rarely reflected lives like hers, and opportunities often seemed skewed towards those from more privileged backgrounds. As an actress, she has consistently chosen roles that reflect working-class identity, including in Shane Meadows’s This Is England, where she portrayed Lol Jenkins, and in other projects that honestly depict class, identity, community and struggle. Her perspective, rooted in experience, gives her credibility when she raises issues of representation. Alongside these, she has starred in hugely popular dramas such as Without Sin, Trigger Point and Broadchurch. With her production company BYO Films, she works to commission and develop stories by diverse writers, including those from working-class backgrounds. She also founded Our Dementia Choir, a charity that uses music to support people living with dementia, inspired by her grandmother’s diagnosis.

She won a BAFTA Television Award and a Royal Television Society Award for her acclaimed performance in This Is England ’86, and in 2023 was appointed MBE for services to drama and charity. Alongside her acting, Vicky has been an avid ambassador of Alzheimer’s Society and Teenage Cancer Trust, and vehemently backs the Justice & Equality Fund. She is the co-author of ‘The Castle Rock Mystery Crew’, also known as The Jase Files: Book 1, which centres on friendship, working-class voices and dementia within families, designed to both entertain and educate young readers.

What makes Vicky McClure such a compelling Diversity and Inclusion speaker is her lived experience of working-class roots, combined with her refusal to let background define potential. She speaks candidly about breaking barriers in an industry that can often feel closed to those without connections, demonstrating the power of perseverance and belief in one’s identity. Her advocacy for equal opportunities, mental health awareness and social responsibility resonates widely, making her a relatable and motivational figure. Whether addressing corporate leaders or community groups, Vicky brings warmth, honesty and a deep understanding of why creating inclusive environments is not just important but essential for progress.