Born on 9th May 1972 in Aigburth, Liverpool. Her father is a civil engineer and her mother is a school welfare worker
Gillian acted at school and at the Liverpool Everyman Youth Theatre. In was through the
Youth Theatre that in 1986 she gained a role in the British TV soap opera Brookside as
Damon Grant's girlfriend, Debbie McGrath. Gillian was only 14 at this time. Her initial 3 episode contract
was extended as the character proved very popular. So popular in fact the a spin off series
"Damon and Debbie" (1987) was commissioned
Gillian attended St. John Almond High School where she passed nine GCSEs and four A-levels (English, French, History and General Studies).
Most other actresses would go to drama school before their first major roles, but not Gillian.
She performed in many productions including a film version of Shirley Valentine before attending the
Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama. The final exams for her drama degree were based on the
best three performances out of four. During this time she was offered the role of Emily Kennedy in
the TV adaptation of Catherine Cookson's "The Tide of Life". This became one of the performances
for her drama degree. She was to gain a first-class degree.
Since then she has been a regular on the British TV screen, lately performing in the award winning Channel 4 series Shameless
She is not the only famous person in her family. Her younger brother, Thomas Kearney, is a professional footballer currently playing for Bradford City having previously played for Everton of the Premiership.
TV, Radio and Film Credits
2008-2010
Has been in nearly 100 episodes of the popular TV series Casualty playing a character called Jessica Harrison
Casualty DVD's from Amazon.co.uk - however none contain Gillian
2008
Valarie Irwin in an episode of Primeval
2007
Appeared in of 'Trail and Retribution XIII: Curriculum Vitae' as Gina Casper and Miss Bird in an episode of Lilies called The Serpent.
2006
"The Lives of the Saints" in which Gillian plays as character called Christella
2005-7
Played Sue in the award winning TV series Shameless
2005
Maria in an episode of "Where the Heart Is" called "Peaches and Cream" and appeared as Holly in "The Other Half"
2003
Dushuri in Homecoming, Dr. Deborah Sweet in the series "Sweet Medicine" and Lesley Tulley in an
episode of Blue Murder
2002-3
June Forsyte in The Forsyte Saga
2001-2
Lynne Watson in two episodes of Clocking Off.
2001
Two murders with "Midsomer Murders", episode called Dark Autumn (WPC Jay Nash) and
"Murder in Mind" as Catrin Palmer in episode called Teacher
2000
Kitty Burton in the popular TV Series "Hope and Glory" and played Cynthia Lennon
in the programme In His Life: The John Lennon Story. The story of the ex-Beatle.
1999
Ellie Brookes in the fantastic "Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll"
1998
TV Series "Liverpool 1" TV Series as Julie Callaghan
Young Joan in The Things You Do for Love: Sweet Dreams
Debra Woolmer in "Hetty Wainthropp Investigates" episode called "A Minor Operation"
1997
Elizabeth Langley in The Ruby Ring
1996
Susan Watkins in episode Frail Mortality of Heartbeat
Emily Kennedy in the Catherine Cookson's The Tide of Life
1995
"Men of the World" playing Jenny in an episode called "Happy Birthday Kendle"
1991
Casualty, playing Mandy in episode "Beggars Can't Be Choosers"
1990
Cassie in The Final Frame and Helen in Waterfront Beat
1989
Film Shirley Valentine in which Gillian played the young Shirley
1986-88
Debbie McGrath in Brookside with spin off "Damon and Debbie" in 1987
1998
TV Series "Liverpool 1" TV Series as Julie Callaghan