Kelly Bailey (Misfits)
Encyclopedia
Kelly Bailey is a fictional character
from the British Channel 4
science fiction
comedy-drama
Misfits
, portrayed by Lauren Socha
. Kelly first appears in episode 1 of Series 1. The character has been characterised as "chavvish
" but with a "heart of gold". While on the show Kelly's storylines have included receiving community service for beginning a fight and later being caught in a storm and receiving the power of telepathy
. She also kills Tony in self defence and is at the centre of relationships with Nathan Young
and Seth. For her portrayal, Socha has won a BAFTA.
. On the part Socha said Kelly was "brilliant" before adding "I love her. I love playing the part." Socha later added "I do like playing Kelly - she's a bit outgoing and says it how it is, when I was younger I was a bit like her, a bit chavvy" before adding that she thought the character was "likeable, isn't she?" Fellow cast member Iwan Rheon revealed that Overman who created the character discussed how to write their parts with the cast and later began writing for them as actors.
commented that she was "the chavish girl who can read minds". The Daily Telegraph
describes her as "bolshy Midlands chav Kelly". Socha described the character as "Kelly is a standard beeyatch. She's wicked." and admitted she can relate to the character. Kelly has been described as having a "chav accent". Socha uses her natural Derby
accent for the part. Socha has admitted she has to discuss how strong to make her accent for the part and said she finds it "tricky" using her accent "because I can say things and I just sound stupid when I say them."
). She is given community service with other young offenders Nathan
(Robert Sheehan), Simon
(Iwan Rheon), Curtis
(Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), Alisha
(Antonia Thomas
) and Gary (Josef Atlin). While doing community service she is caught in a storm and receives the power of telepathy
. Probabation worker Tony (Danny Sapani/Louis Decosta Johnson) is also caught in the storm and becomes overcome by rage. He attacks the group and kills Gary. Tony attacks the group so Kelly retaliates and kills him in self defence. Kelly helps dispose of the bodies. Kelly hears Nathan thinking about having sex with her on several occasions. Kelly fights with Jodi again when she and Jodi must try to overcome their differences as part of Kelly's community service. Kelly becomes bald as Jodi has the power to project temporary alopecia
when she becomes angry. Kelly becomes part of the 'Virtue' organization when Rachel (Jessica Brown-Findlay
) changes her personality. When trying to stop Rachel's influence over those she has changed, Nathan is killed. Kelly is upset by Nathan's death.
Kelly is told to go to Nathan's grave where she discovers that he is immortal
. She saves him and the pair decide to have sex. Nathan is rude towards Kelly after Lucy (Evelyn Hoskins
) takes on her appearance and is rude towards Nathan. After Kelly takes drugs which invert her power she begins broadcasting her thoughts, in particular feelings for Nathan telling him she is scared he will hurt her and she thinks she may love him. The two attempt to have sex, but Kelly decides to remain friends. Tatoo artist Vince (Nathan Constance
) makes Kelly fall in love with him after she questions his involvement in Nathan falling in love with Simon. Vince's influence ceases after Simon realises Vince's nut allergy so force feeds him a peanut and refuses to give him his epinephrine pen. Kelly is kidnapped by Tim (Matt Cross). The others arrive but are also kidnapped and chained. Alisha escapes and later frees the others. Kelly meets and sleeps with Bruno (Richard Riddell), a gorilla who has taken on a human appearance. Bruno is later shot by police. The groups abilities are exposed after Brian (Jordan Metcalfe
) becomes public about his own abilities. Brian becomes jealous of other people with abilities so decides to gain recognition by killing those with similar abilities. Kelly is killed and through Nathan's mediumship
warns him of Brian's plans. Curtis reverses time and Kelly is revived. Kelly sells her power to Seth (Mathew McNulty) for £20,000. The group decides to regain their powers after Nikki (Ruth Negga) is killed, which could of been prevented had they had their powers. They decide to purchase different powers to their original powers.
Kelly gains the power of specified human intelligence which means she can design rockets although she initially thought the power would give her intelligence in more than one area. Kelly takes a liking to Seth. After an elderly man travels back in time and changes the past, so Germans win the war. She helps to undo these changes and She and Seth share a kiss. Jen a comatose patient switches places with Kelly. Kelly is eventually freed when she and Jen switch places again.
for her portyal of Kelly which she won over Gillian Anderson
, Lynda Baron
and Jessie Wallace
. Socha was nominated for Outstanding Actress in the fiction category at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in 2011. Tim Dowling
of The Guardian
described her as the "chavvy one" of the group of "foul-mouthed young criminals". Boxcutters
commented negatively on the characters of Misfits saying it was "filled with unattractive and very annoying characters" although they responded positively to the show asking "why do we find it so strangely compelling?"
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the British Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
comedy-drama
Comedy-drama
Comedy-drama is a genre of theatre, film and television programs which combines humorous and serious content.-Theatre:Traditional western theatre, beginning with the ancient Greeks, was divided into comedy and tragedy...
Misfits
Misfits (TV series)
Misfits is a British science fiction comedy-drama television series about a group of young offenders forced to work in a community service programme, where they obtain supernatural powers after a strange electrical storm. The first series started broadcasting on 12 November 2009 on E4, and was...
, portrayed by Lauren Socha
Lauren Socha
Lauren Marie Socha is a BAFTA award winning English actress, best known for her starring role in the E4 comedy-drama television series Misfits and a co-starring role in the Channel 4 drama The Unloved. She attended St. George's RC Primary School, Burton College and Saint Benedict School and...
. Kelly first appears in episode 1 of Series 1. The character has been characterised as "chavvish
Chav
A chav is a term that is used in the United Kingdom to describe a stereotype of teenagers and young adults from an underclass background.-Etymology:...
" but with a "heart of gold". While on the show Kelly's storylines have included receiving community service for beginning a fight and later being caught in a storm and receiving the power of telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
. She also kills Tony in self defence and is at the centre of relationships with Nathan Young
Nathan Young
Nathan Young is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 science fiction comedy-drama Misfits, portrayed by Robert Sheehan. He first appeared in Series 1 Episode 1 and departed in an online spinoff entitled Vegas Baby! after Sheehan quit the role. He serves as one of the main protagonists...
and Seth. For her portrayal, Socha has won a BAFTA.
Casting and character creation
Casting for the part was announced on 17 August 2009 by Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
. On the part Socha said Kelly was "brilliant" before adding "I love her. I love playing the part." Socha later added "I do like playing Kelly - she's a bit outgoing and says it how it is, when I was younger I was a bit like her, a bit chavvy" before adding that she thought the character was "likeable, isn't she?" Fellow cast member Iwan Rheon revealed that Overman who created the character discussed how to write their parts with the cast and later began writing for them as actors.
Characterisation
E4's official website describes Kelly as "wading in fist first. Her attitude is her suit of armour, accessorised with enough gold jewellery to really do some harm, and acrylics that could have your eyes out. Behind that veneer though, Kelly’s got a heart of gold and is fiercely loyal." The TimesThe Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
commented that she was "the chavish girl who can read minds". The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
describes her as "bolshy Midlands chav Kelly". Socha described the character as "Kelly is a standard beeyatch. She's wicked." and admitted she can relate to the character. Kelly has been described as having a "chav accent". Socha uses her natural Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
accent for the part. Socha has admitted she has to discuss how strong to make her accent for the part and said she finds it "tricky" using her accent "because I can say things and I just sound stupid when I say them."
Storylines
Kelly is given community service for starting a fight with Jodi (Bunmi MojekwuBunmi Mojekwu
Oluwabunmi Ruth Mojekwu is a British actress of Nigerian descent. She is best known for playing Mercy Olubunmi in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Early life:...
). She is given community service with other young offenders Nathan
Nathan Young
Nathan Young is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 science fiction comedy-drama Misfits, portrayed by Robert Sheehan. He first appeared in Series 1 Episode 1 and departed in an online spinoff entitled Vegas Baby! after Sheehan quit the role. He serves as one of the main protagonists...
(Robert Sheehan), Simon
Simon Bellamy
Simon Bellamy is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 science fiction comedy-drama Misfits, portrayed by Iwan Rheon. His storylines have included being sentenced to community service for attempted arson which leads to him gaining the power of invisibility, reflective of his personality...
(Iwan Rheon), Curtis
Curtis Donovan
Curtis Donovan is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 science fiction comedy-drama Misfits, portrayed by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett. His storylines include being sentenced to community service after being caught in possession of cocaine which led to him gaining the power of time...
(Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), Alisha
Alisha Bailey
Alisha Bailey is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 science fiction comedy-drama Misfits, portrayed by Antonia Thomas. Her storylines include gaining an ASBO for constant drink-driving which leads to her gaining the ability to make those who make bare contact with her skin go into a...
(Antonia Thomas
Antonia Thomas
Antonia-Rose Laura Thomas is an English actress best known for her starring role in the E4 comedy-drama television series Misfits as Alisha Bailey. She studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School where she studied for a BA in Acting, graduating in 2009.Antonia was a member of the National Youth...
) and Gary (Josef Atlin). While doing community service she is caught in a storm and receives the power of telepathy
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
. Probabation worker Tony (Danny Sapani/Louis Decosta Johnson) is also caught in the storm and becomes overcome by rage. He attacks the group and kills Gary. Tony attacks the group so Kelly retaliates and kills him in self defence. Kelly helps dispose of the bodies. Kelly hears Nathan thinking about having sex with her on several occasions. Kelly fights with Jodi again when she and Jodi must try to overcome their differences as part of Kelly's community service. Kelly becomes bald as Jodi has the power to project temporary alopecia
Alopecia
Alopecia means loss of hair from the head or body. Alopecia can mean baldness, a term generally reserved for pattern alopecia or androgenic alopecia. Compulsive pulling of hair can also produce hair loss. Hairstyling routines such as tight ponytails or braids may induce Traction alopecia. Both...
when she becomes angry. Kelly becomes part of the 'Virtue' organization when Rachel (Jessica Brown-Findlay
Jessica Brown-Findlay
Jessica Brown-Findlay is an English actress. She plays the character of Lady Sybil Crawley in ITV's Downton Abbey.Brown-Findlay trained with the National Youth Ballet and the Associates of the Royal Ballet...
) changes her personality. When trying to stop Rachel's influence over those she has changed, Nathan is killed. Kelly is upset by Nathan's death.
Kelly is told to go to Nathan's grave where she discovers that he is immortal
Immortal
Immortal, Immortals or Immortality may refer to:-People:* Thirty-six Poetry Immortals, a group of medieval Japanese poets* Immortals , members of the Académie française...
. She saves him and the pair decide to have sex. Nathan is rude towards Kelly after Lucy (Evelyn Hoskins
Evelyn Hoskins
Evelyn Hoskins is an English actress best known for her role as Shona Wark in the British BBC1 hospital drama series Casualty....
) takes on her appearance and is rude towards Nathan. After Kelly takes drugs which invert her power she begins broadcasting her thoughts, in particular feelings for Nathan telling him she is scared he will hurt her and she thinks she may love him. The two attempt to have sex, but Kelly decides to remain friends. Tatoo artist Vince (Nathan Constance
Nathan Constance
Nathan Constance is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Ian Walmsley in the TV series Footballers' Wives, Leon Richards in the TV series Dream Team and as Josh Mitchell in the TV series Bad Girls...
) makes Kelly fall in love with him after she questions his involvement in Nathan falling in love with Simon. Vince's influence ceases after Simon realises Vince's nut allergy so force feeds him a peanut and refuses to give him his epinephrine pen. Kelly is kidnapped by Tim (Matt Cross). The others arrive but are also kidnapped and chained. Alisha escapes and later frees the others. Kelly meets and sleeps with Bruno (Richard Riddell), a gorilla who has taken on a human appearance. Bruno is later shot by police. The groups abilities are exposed after Brian (Jordan Metcalfe
Jordan Metcalfe
Jordan Metcalfe is an English actor. He has a younger sister and a younger brother. He currently stars as Adil the Genie in the children's comedy Genie in the House, screened in the UK and the Netherlands on Nickelodeon, in Germany on Nick Germany, in France on Canal J and Spain on Antena 3...
) becomes public about his own abilities. Brian becomes jealous of other people with abilities so decides to gain recognition by killing those with similar abilities. Kelly is killed and through Nathan's mediumship
Mediumship
Mediumship is described as a form of communication with spirits. It is a practice in religious beliefs such as Spiritualism, Spiritism, Espiritismo, Candomblé, Voodoo and Umbanda.- Concept :...
warns him of Brian's plans. Curtis reverses time and Kelly is revived. Kelly sells her power to Seth (Mathew McNulty) for £20,000. The group decides to regain their powers after Nikki (Ruth Negga) is killed, which could of been prevented had they had their powers. They decide to purchase different powers to their original powers.
Kelly gains the power of specified human intelligence which means she can design rockets although she initially thought the power would give her intelligence in more than one area. Kelly takes a liking to Seth. After an elderly man travels back in time and changes the past, so Germans win the war. She helps to undo these changes and She and Seth share a kiss. Jen a comatose patient switches places with Kelly. Kelly is eventually freed when she and Jen switch places again.
Reception
Socha was nominated for a BAFTABritish Academy of Film and Television Arts
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is a charity in the United Kingdom that hosts annual awards shows for excellence in film, television, television craft, video games and forms of animation.-Introduction:...
for her portyal of Kelly which she won over Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Leigh Anderson is an American actress.After beginning her career in theatre, Anderson achieved international recognition for her role as Special Agent Dana Scully on the American television series The X-Files. During the show's nine seasons, Anderson won Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen...
, Lynda Baron
Lynda Baron
Lynda Baron is a BAFTA-nominated English stage, film and television actress, perhaps best known for playing the extremely busty Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, the object of Arkwright's affection, in the BBC comedy series Open All Hours....
and Jessie Wallace
Jessie Wallace
Jessie Wallace is an English actress best known for her portrayal as Kat Moon in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.-Early life:...
. Socha was nominated for Outstanding Actress in the fiction category at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in 2011. Tim Dowling
Tim Dowling
Tim Dowling is a journalist and author. Dowling moved to the UK at the age of 27 and currently lives in London with his wife and three children....
of The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
described her as the "chavvy one" of the group of "foul-mouthed young criminals". Boxcutters
Boxcutters (podcast)
Boxcutters is an Australian podcast dedicated to the discussion of television. It is produced weekly, and usually uploaded on a Monday. Shows average around 70 minutes, although there is no set length, and it is recorded at the studios of 3RRR...
commented negatively on the characters of Misfits saying it was "filled with unattractive and very annoying characters" although they responded positively to the show asking "why do we find it so strangely compelling?"