Alex Kingston has admitted she will be “creating a character” each week in Strictly Come Dancing to combat her shy nature. But who is this nervous actress who has starred alongside George Clooney?

Alex is one of 15 celebrities taking part in Strictly 2025 and she says she is “so, so nervous” about the BBC show.

But the star has already embraced the famous Strictly fake tans and has been practicing her dance steps in the kitchen and while ironing. It sounds like she’s ready to go!

Here’s everything we know about Alex Kingston, including who she’s married to, where she lives and what shows you will know her from.

Who is Alex Kingston on Strictly Come Dancing 2025?

Alex was born in Epsom, Surrey, on March 11, 1963. This makes her 62 years old. Alex is the daughter of Anthony, an English butcher, and his German wife, Margarethe. She has two younger sisters, Susie and Nicola.

Alex attended Rosebery School for Girls, her local all-girls school. It was here that she got her first taste of acting. A teacher noticed Alex’s natural talent and encouraged her to pursue it.

She appeared in a production of Tom Jones with the Surrey County Youth Theatre. Alex later studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Upon leaving, she joined the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company.

What has Alex Kingston been in?

Alex started her TV acting career in the BBC children’s show, Grange Hill. She appeared in three episodes of the programme in 1980. She played school girl Jill Harcourt.

From there, the TV roles began to flow. Alex appeared in a slew of programmes, including the popular drama Soldier Soldier, Covington Cross and police series, The Bill.

In 1996, Alex played the lead in The Fortunes and Misfortunes of Moll Flanders. The four-part drama led Alex to a nomination for Best Actress at the following year’s television BAFTAs.

In the same year as her nod at the BAFTAs, Alex got her big break in Hollywood. She was cast as British surgeon Elizabeth Corday in the hugely popular American medical drama, ER.

Alex joined ER in the fourth series and starred opposite George Clooney, who famously played paediatric doctor, Doug Ross. Alex remained with ER for seven seasons, which aired in the UK on Channel 4. She bowed out in 2004.

Why did Alex Kingston leave ER?

Alex’s departure from ER was marred with controversy. Alex was 41 at the time and accused bosses of not renewing her contract due to her age.

In an interview, Alex said her exit was “a shock and upsetting”. She told Radio Times she felt “old” suddenly on set, adding: “Does it mean that I’m the geriatric being pushed out because she’s too old?”

Alex added to the publication: “I understand it needs to keep reinventing itself in order to keep going, and apparently I, according to the producers, the writers, am part of the old fogeys who are no longer interesting. In that respect it’s a shame.

“It’s fine to have young med students, but you need to have figures of authority, people of different ages, races, shapes and sizes.”

NBC, the home of ER in the US, denied Alex’s claims. The network maintained her contract was not renewed because the character had “run its course”.

Alex did, however, insist she was “very proud” of her work as Elizabeth Corday. She went on to reprise the role for two episodes in ER’s final season in 2009.

Who did Alex play in Doctor Who?

Doctor Who fans will recognise Alex from the popular BBC sci-fi show. She played the Time Lord’s wife, River Song, in the show. Alex starred in Doctor Who from 2008 to 2015.

It’s fair to say Alex has enjoyed a successful and varied acting career to date. In 2008, she starred opposite Hugh Bonneville in Lost in Austen. More recently, Alex has appeared in Netflix’s Treason, BBC’s Dodger and ITV’s Douglas is Cancelled.

Her film credits include the 1995 biopic Carrington, which also starred Emma Thompson, 2006 US crime flick, Alpha Dog, and the 2011 romantic drama, Like Crazy.

Last year, Alex starred in the The Killer’s Game. The American thriller is about a veteran hitman who, after discovering he is terminally ill, puts a hit out on himself. Alex played Sharon Rabinowitz, the wife of the lead character’s mentor.

Given her start with The Royal Shakespeare Company, it’s no surprise Alex’s stage CV is as glittering as her Strictly costumes. She’s portrayed Lady MacBeth in a production of MacBeth, which was broadcast live in cinemas worldwide as part of the National Theatre Live programme. Alex made her New York stage debut in the same play the following year.

In 2023, she returned to The Royal Shakespeare Company for the first time since the 90s. Alex was cast as Prospero in The Tempest.

Who is Alex Kingston married to?

Alex is married to television producer Jonathan Stamp. The couple tied the knot in a romantic Italian ceremony in 2015. Jonathan is her third husband.

Alex’s first husband was BAFTA-winning actor and 28 Days Later star, Ralph Fiennes. The couple met while studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. They were in a relationship for 10 years before getting married in 1993. The couple divorced four years later. Alex later described their relationship as “strangers”.

She went on to marry Florian Haertel, a German writer and freelance journalist. They met on a blind date and said “I do” in 1998. During their marriage, Alex gave birth to their daughter Salome Violetta Haertel. Salome is now 24 years old. Alex and Florian divorced in 2013.

Where does Alex live?

Alex has spent her adult life living in both the UK and America. In 2019, Alex told The American: “I lived in America for 20 years, I’ve only just moved back. I still have a house in LA, and my daughter is finishing her school over there. I feel…I don’t know what I feel.”

Alex described herself as a “citizen of this planet” and said she didn’t want to be “bound to one place”. She added: “I don’t feel inherently British and do love parts of England, but I also fiercely love Europe.

“I feel comfortable anywhere in the world. I spent six months in South Africa last year and I felt so at home there.”

It is reported that Alex now lives in a cottage in Oxfordshire. She is a keen bee keeper, although she is concerned this could bite her on the bottom. “I really don’t want to be on Strictly dressed in a giant bee outfit!” she said, during the Strictly launch show.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025

Alex made her debut appearance on Strictly Come Dancing during last Saturday’s launch show. She was seen meeting her pro partner, Johannes Radebe, for the first time. Alex screamed with joy as she learned who she’s been paired up with.

Alex and Johannes will dance together this weekend and receive their first score from the judges. It will be the first time Strictly fans will see this year’s couples in action.

But Alex admits she is “terrified”, given her shy personality. She says: “I am actually quite a shy person. I think the only way I’m going to get through Strictly 2025 is by creating a different character every week for each dance.”

How tall is Alex Kingston?

Alex stands at 5ft 7ins tall. Her Strictly Come Dancing partner, Johannes, is exactly 6ft. This makes them a perfect pair! It is yet to be revealed what dance Alex and Johannes will be making their debut with.

Alex says her ideal Strictly Come Dancing dance would be to Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie.

When is Strictly Come Dancing next on?

Strictly Come Dancing is back on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday September 27, 2025. The first live show of the series airs at 6.55pm.

Strap yourselves in, as it is going to be a long one. The show will run for 2hrs and 30 minutes in order to fit all 15 couples in!

Read more: Strictly It Takes Two: Janette Manrara and Fleur East return as hosts of BBC spin-off as start date is confirmed

Strictly Come Dancing airs at 6.55pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday September 27, 2025.