Who's in the cast of Netflix's The Duchess? From Katherine Ryan to Rory Keenan

Katherine Ryan fronts the sitcom inspired by her own life
Katherine Ryan stars as Katherine in the new comedy
Netflix
Kimberley Bond19 August 2020

We’re all in desperate need of a laugh right now, with Katherine Ryan answering our prayers with her brand new comedy The Duchess.

The 37-year-old stars as a “a fashionably disruptive single mom” living in London, with the comedian playing a hugely fictionalised and “all-round bad” version of herself.

However, her one redeeming quality is her love for her daughter Olive, whom she will do anything for.

As she tries to make her daughter’s life better, Katherine is considering a second child with her worst enemy – Olive’s dad.

Here’s who’s who in the upcoming comedy.

Who's in the cast of Netflix's The Duchess?

Katherine Ryan as Katherine

Katherine Ryan plays an exaggerated version of herself
Netflix

Playing a hyper-exaggerated and hugely negative version of herself, Ryan leads as Katherine as she tries to raise her daughter Olive and build them a better life in London.

Viewers will see the fictional Katherine balancing her life with her ex, who she shares custody of Olive with.

Katherine fails to build deep relationships due to her own insecurities, but decides she wants another child to grow her family.

Katherine Ryan - in pictures

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“[Being a single mother in London] is what I know most about in the world,” she told the Evening Standard. “I still don’t see myself represented much on television. Mothers on television, they are often sad or they don’t particularly like being mothers.

“This is a celebration. It is not a sadcom.”

Viewers will know Ryan for her appearances on panel shows including 8 out of 10 Cats and Taskmaster, as well as her regular performances on the stand-up circuit.

Kate Byrne as Olive

Kate Byrne plays Katherine's daughter Olive
Netflix

Child actor Kate Byrne makes her first foray into acting as Katherine’s daughter Olive.

Rory Keenan as Shepherd Knight

Keenan plays Shep in the sitcom
Netflix

The Irish actor plays Olive’s father and Katherine’s ex-partner Shepherd, who was in boyband True Say in his heyday.

Now a bit more washed-up, Shepherd lives on a canal boat with his new girlfriend and shares custody of Olive.

Viewers may recognise Keenan, 40, from Peaky Blinders, Striking Out and Versailles.

Michelle de Swarte as Katherine’s best friend

Michelle de Swarte plays Katherine's best friend
Netflix

The model and stand-up comic stars as Katherine’s confidant in the series.

Viewers may recognise de Swarte through her comedy, or through her television appearances on E4’s The Fashion Show, Viceland USA as well as a number of panel shows across Channel 4, ITV and Comedy Central.

Steen Raskopoulos as Katherine’s boyfriend

Steen Raskopoulos is Katherine's love interest
Netflix

The Australian comedian plays Katherine’s long-suffering partner.

He is best known for his stand-up shows where he plays characters in live sketches, and also plays John Mahogany in BBC Three's Top Coppers.

The Duchess launches Friday 11th September on Netflix