Jennifer Gibney

Jennifer Ann Gibney (born 7 July 1964 in Dublin, Ireland) began her professional journey far from the bright lights of stage and screen, spending seven years as a civil servant in the Irish tax office before moving to the Bank of Ireland. While working at the bank she pursued a drama degree and eagerly joined its amateur dramatics group, gaining valuable performance experience. Determined to hone her craft, she later trained at the Dublin Oscar Theatre School, where she refined the techniques that would later define her screen presence. Her first credited film role arrived in 1996 with a modest part in Some Mother's Son, sharing the set with Helen Mirren and marking the start of a steady climb in the Irish entertainment industry. In 1999 she appeared as Winnie the Mackerel in Agnes Browne, further establishing her versatility, and in 2007 she played Linda in Prosperity, demonstrating her ability to navigate both comedy and drama. The breakthrough in Gibney’s career came when she embraced the role of Cathy Brown, the sharp‑tongued daughter of Agnes Brown, in the original stage production that evolved into the beloved BBC sitcom Mrs. Brown’s Boys. She has inhabited Cathy since the 1990s, delivering the character’s blend of wit and warmth across television, film, and live talk‑show formats, including Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie and All Round to Mrs. Brown’s (2017‑2020). Her partnership with husband Brendan O’Carroll—who portrays Agnes—extends both on‑stage and off‑stage, creating a dynamic that resonates with audiences worldwide. In 2014 she stepped onto the dance floor for the twelfth series of Strictly Come Dancing, paired with professional Tristan MacManus, though she bowed out in week three after a spirited rendition of ABBA’s "Mamma Mia". Beyond her public roles, Gibney remains a devoted family figure, married to O’Carroll since 2005 and embracing three stepchildren who share the family’s creative endeavors. Her career, spanning over two decades, reflects a blend of disciplined work ethic, formal training, and an innate comedic timing that continues to delight fans of Irish comedy.