Melanie Jessop

Melanie Jessop's first screen acting role came on the British TV mini-series "Shadow of the Noose" (BBC 1989); she appeared in two other British mini-series that same year, "After the War" (BBC 1989) and "Act of Will" (BBC 1989). She appeared on the cult favorite sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous" (BBC One 1992-2012) twice, playing different roles -- a secretary and a policewoman -- in episodes that were filmed nine years apart. In 2012, she began her first recurring television role on the black-humored British sitcom "Way To Go" (BBC 2012-13), about three friends who start an assisted suicide business. Although Jessop appeared occasionally on British television, she was primarily known as a stage actress (working alongside such treasures of British theater as Sir Ian McKellen) and as an instructor, most notably at the acclaimed Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her first experience in American television came with her supporting role as Vera Markham on the atmospheric horror series "Dracula" (NBC 2013-14).