Rebecca Atkinson

Rebecca Atkinson, born on September 22, 1983, is a prominent English actress best known for her role as Karen Maguire in the acclaimed Channel 4 series Shameless, a part she held from 2004 to 2013. Her journey into the performing arts began at Preston College, where she honed her skills in theatre and dance. Prior to her breakout television career, Atkinson trained at the David Johnson Drama School and shared her passion for the arts by teaching dance at the Glenda Ann School of Dancing in Goostrey.

Atkinson's portrayal of the complex Karen Maguire was a quintessential part of Shameless's success, allowing her to feature in all 11 series of the show. Beyond Shameless, she has made notable appearances in several other television series, including Life On Mars, Ideal, and the BBC Three sitcom Trexx and Flipside. In a significant career move, she joined the cast of BBC Scotland's River City in October 2016, portraying Belinda Roberts.

Throughout her career, Atkinson has taken on various roles, such as Asia in Ideal and Susie Hardwick in New Street Law. She has also appeared in Heartbeat, Holby City, and The Royal, among others. Additionally, she made her mark in the film industry with a role in the 2009 adaptation of Kevin Sampson's Awaydays. Most recently, she stars as Lisa in the 2023 film Wait For Me, continuing to showcase her talent across different mediums.