As a two-time World Irish Dancing champion, Katelyn Rose Downey has already attracted global attention. But the 16-year-old dancer is now on the cusp of screen stardom, starring alongside Tom Burke, Hunter Schafer and Michelle Yeoh in Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios’ highly anticipated series Blade Runner 2099.
“That was special,” says the Dublin-born Downey, who moved into acting during the pandemic, when she started taking classes over Zoom, and was able to combine both disciplines as a dance prodigy in Portia A Buckley’s short Clodagh (2024), an Irish Film & Television Academy Awards (IFTA) winner that was also Oscar shortlisted.
“I got to bring something I love, which is storytelling, into a whole new world. I’d always thought it would be cool to incorporate my dancing,” reveals Downey, who says the world of dance competition has stood her in good stead for the challenges of performing. “You go through the wins and the losses, and it helps in an acting sense because there are always ups and downs, but it’s just a case of learning and building and persevering.”
Downey also appeared in Disney action comedy The Princess, alongside Joey King, and with Taissa Farmiga in Warner Bros’ horror The Nun II. On TV, she starred in the hit BBC crime drama Clean Sweep, with Barry Ward and Charlene McKenna.
The cast of The Princess were particularly helpful as she began to hone her skills. “I was like a sponge, just taking everything in,” says Downey, who would love to work with her “all-time favourite” director Christopher Nolan. “His stories are so new, different and engaging. I always find myself wanting more.”
Clodagh is now in development as a feature and Downey is keen to return to the role. “I would like to dive more into the backstory.” She is also interested in telling more homegrown tales. “I would love to bring more Irish stories to life, because that’s close to home and will always have a special place in my heart.”
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