BBC Wolf Hall star Kate Phillips' life off-screen from being a mum to new business venture

The historical drama Wolf Hall has made a triumphant return after nine years, with actress Kate Phillips reprising her role. Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light sees Kate return as Jane Seymour, the ill-fated third wife of Henry VIII.

She bore a healthy son, Edward, in 1537, providing Henry VIII (played by Damian Lewis) with a male heir. Sadly, Edward was their only child, as Jane passed away just 12 days postpartum.

Kate has graced numerous British TV shows over the years, including Peaky Blinders, Downton Abbey and War and Peace. While she keeps her personal life under wraps, what do we know about her off-screen existence?

Kate was born on May 21, 1989, and spent her early years in South West London. At the age of nine, she and her family relocated from London, living in Nottinghamshire before settling in Bristol, reports .

She pursued her studies at Leeds University, later earning a place at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. After university, the aspiring actress returned to Leeds to perform as Abigail Williams in The Crucible at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Kate had already filmed her scenes for BBC drama Wolf Hall, making her TV debut later in 2015. She portrayed Henry VIII's doomed wife Jane Seymour, who gave him his sole legitimate male heir. She then took on the role of Lise Bolkonskaya in the BBC miniseries War and Peace.

Fans of Wolf Hall might recognise Kate from her role as Venetia Scott in The Crown. She's also well-known for playing Linda Shelby in the hit series Peaky Blinders from 2016 to 2022 and starring as Eliza Scarlet in the detective drama Miss Scarlet and The Duke.

She featured in an episode of The Alienist as Laura Boone in 2018, took on the character of Princess Mary in Downton Abbey and its subsequent movie, and appeared as Collette in the drama Hijack.

According to IMDB, Kate's latest project sees her starring in Serge Ioan Celebidachi's movie The Yellow Tie. This film delves into the life of Romanian maestro Sergiu Celibidache, charting his experiences during wartime Germany and his pursuit of a musical career.

There's little information available about Kate's marital status, though she is believed to be in a relationship that she prefers to keep out of the public eye.

The actress from Peaky Blinders and Wolf Hall is a mother to a three-year-old girl, but she shields her face on social media. Kate has showcased her daughter's creative flair on Instagram, posting images of an artistic session involving painting faces and another occasion where her tot adorned her face with stickers.

Kate now resides in North London and away from the cameras, she enjoys hosting her friends, cooking up a feast, or taking leisurely scenic walks.

Reflecting on her leisure activities, she once remarked: "I love walking around the city. London is very green in certain spots. I'll opt for routes through parks or over bridges where you can get an awesome view of the city. I also love being in the kitchen cooking or baking. One of my favourite things is having friends over and sharing a meal together."

In a recent career shift, actor Kate, Amber Anderson and Rosie Day have plunged into the world of film production with their new venture, Just John Films, announced earlier this year.

Destined to leave its mark, Just John Films intends to both option original projects and collaborate with external parties to bring diverse and captivating narratives to the screen, driving independent thought and strong storytelling while fostering a nurturing, conducive, and joy-filled environment that spurs creativity and emphasizes quality throughout each stage of filmmaking.

With innovation at its forefront, Just John has an array of promising endeavours on the horizon, including a highly anticipated adaptation of Annie Garthwaite's renowned historical fiction Cecily, which delves into the life of Cecily Neville, the formidable Tudor dynasty matriarch.

Wolf Hall is on BBC One on Sundays at 9pm and on BBC iPlayer