Nadine Mulkerrin is an English actress best known for playing Cleo McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. Her work has covered serious drama, comedy, film and television. She was born on 23 June 1993 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. Nadine is 33 years old as of September 2026 and is recognised as one of the strongest dramatic performers from the modern Hollyoaks cast.
Nadine Mulkerrin’s Early Life
Nadine Mulkerrin grew up in West Yorkshire and developed an interest in acting during her teenage years. She attended St Mary’s Catholic Comprehensive School before moving to York College. At York College, she completed a National Diploma in Acting in 2011. She later received an offer from the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts but decided not to follow the traditional drama-school route. Instead, she began building her career through auditions and professional television work. This decision allowed her to gain practical experience while developing her skills in front of the camera.
Her Acting Ambition
Nadine Mulkerrin has spoken positively about beginning her career at a young age. Acting became more than a hobby for her, and she worked steadily towards professional roles. Her early experiences helped her become comfortable with difficult emotions and demanding scenes. These skills later became important when she took on Cleo McQueen’s serious storylines.
Early Television and Film Roles
Nadine Mulkerrin’s first television work included an appearance in the ITV medical drama The Royal. She later appeared in Waterloo Road, In with the Flynns, Doctors and Starlings. Her early film credits include the horror production Inbred and the drama Urban & the Shed Crew. She also worked on the short film The Break Ups. From 2013 to 2015, she played Ashley in the BBC comedy programme Still Open All Hours. The role gave her experience in a lighter style of acting before she became known for serious soap drama.
Nadine Mulkerrin as Cleo McQueen
In 2015, Nadine Mulkerrin joined Hollyoaks as Cleo McQueen. Cleo is part of the famous McQueen family and was introduced as an intelligent, sensitive and thoughtful young woman. Unlike some of her relatives, Cleo was often portrayed as quiet and cautious. However, her calm personality hid deep emotional struggles and painful experiences. Nadine quickly became important to the programme because she could handle powerful storylines with maturity. Her performance made Cleo one of the most memorable characters in the show.
Cleo’s Abuse Storyline
One of Cleo’s earliest major storylines involved grooming and sexual abuse by her stepfather, Pete Buchanan. The plot explored manipulation, secrecy, fear and the difficulty of recognising abuse. The production worked with child-protection experts, while Nadine met survivors and carried out preparation for the role. She wanted the storyline to be truthful and respectful. Cleo eventually found the courage to speak about what had happened to her. The storyline showed the long emotional process involved in facing an abuser and seeking justice.
Addiction and Grief
Cleo later struggled with heroin addiction after suffering major losses. The death of her sister Celine and the loss of other people close to her caused Cleo to feel isolated and vulnerable. Nadine’s performance showed how grief can affect decision-making. The storyline included drug use, overdose, recovery and relapse, giving the actress some of her most demanding scenes. The plot also showed that addiction can affect people who may previously seem responsible and sensible. Cleo’s experience warned viewers about the lasting damage caused by drugs.
Bulimia Nervosa Storyline
In 2017, Cleo developed bulimia nervosa. The story explored body image, emotional pain, insecurity and the need to feel in control. Nadine worked with Beat, an eating-disorder charity, and carried out personal research before filming the scenes. She approached the subject carefully rather than treating it as a simple plot device. The storyline reached a dramatic stage during Cleo’s wedding to Joel Dexter. It showed how serious eating disorders can become even when someone hides their suffering from family and friends.
Relationship with Joel Dexter
Cleo’s relationship with Joel Dexter became one of Hollyoaks’ most popular romances. Joel was played by Scottish actor Rory Douglas-Speed. Their relationship faced addiction, family problems, religious conflict, pregnancy, separation and emotional trauma. The characters often cared deeply for each other but struggled to build a stable life. The on-screen romance became even more notable because Nadine and Rory developed a real relationship away from the programme. Their professional and personal lives became closely connected.
Return to Hollyoaks
Nadine Mulkerrin left Hollyoaks in 2022 after many years with the programme. Cleo departed the village to begin a new life and research work in India. She returned to the show in January 2024. Her comeback brought Cleo into new stories involving Abe Fielding, coercive control and domestic abuse. Cleo’s later storyline showed how controlling behaviour can gradually remove someone’s confidence and independence. Nadine portrayed Cleo’s fear and determination as she tried to escape the relationship.
Postpartum Psychosis Storyline
In 2025, Cleo gave birth prematurely to her son Joseph. Following the traumatic birth, the programme explored postpartum psychosis and the effect it had on Cleo’s mental health. The production worked with Action on Postpartum Psychosis to handle the storyline responsibly. Nadine’s performance focused on confusion, fear and the need for urgent support after childbirth. This story became another important part of her work because it raised awareness of a serious condition that many people know very little about.
Awards and Recognition
Nadine Mulkerrin won Best Newcomer at the 2015 Digital Spy Reader Awards. The award came soon after her arrival in Hollyoaks. She received British Soap Awards nominations for Best Female Dramatic Performance in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She has also received recognition through Inside Soap and other television awards. In 2026, she was nominated for Best Actress at the Inside Soap Awards. Cleo’s postpartum psychosis storyline also gained a nomination for Best Storyline.
Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas-Speed
Nadine Mulkerrin met Rory Douglas-Speed while they were working on Hollyoaks. Their relationship became public in 2017. Rory proposed during a trip to Amsterdam in December 2018. The couple announced their engagement after the proposal and have remained together while raising their family.
They have two sons. Their first son, Reggie, was born in October 2019. Their second son, Dougie James, was born on 24 May 2022. Although Nadine and Rory have been engaged for many years, they have not announced a confirmed wedding date. Nadine is therefore best described as Rory’s fiancée rather than his wife.
Motherhood and Life Away from Acting
Nadine Mulkerrin’s Instagram account describes her as the mother of two boys. She shares selected family moments but generally protects her children’s privacy. Her recent summer 2026 posts mentioned beach activities, pool games, holidays and time spent with close friends. She also referred to her sons returning to school.
During a break from acting, Nadine worked as a teaching assistant in a primary school. She described the experience positively and expressed gratitude for both her acting career and the chance to experience ordinary working life.
Representation and Professional Work
Nadine Mulkerrin is represented by Sainou and uses Touch Management for business enquiries. Her professional background identifies her as an actress based in the Liverpool area. Companies House records also show two active businesses connected with her acting and property work. Nadine is named as a director of NRM Acting Ltd and NRM Acting Property Ltd.
Her verified Instagram account is @nadinemulkerrin. She uses the platform to share career updates, family moments, holidays, friendships and behind-the-scenes content.
Conclusion
Nadine Mulkerrin has built a respected acting career through emotionally powerful performances. Her portrayal of Cleo McQueen allowed her to explore abuse, addiction, eating disorders, domestic violence and postpartum psychosis.
Away from television, she is an engaged mother of two who balances family life with professional work. With continued recognition from soap awards and a strong connection with viewers, Nadine remains an important figure in British television drama.
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