Kenny Doughty (born 27 March 1975) is an English actor and director, known for playing DS Aiden Healy on ITV's Crime Drama Vera and as Sean in Stella.

Early life

Doughty was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. He attended Charter School, which became the Kingstone School on Broadway Barnsley, where he performed a leading role in Grease. He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Career

Doughty's career began with minor appearances in films and television series, including I Want You (1998), Dinnerladies (1998), and he appeared in the 1998 film Elizabeth as Sir Thomas Elyot. In 2009, Doughty appeared in 9 episodes of Coronation Street as Jake Harman. From 2012 to 2013, Doughty appeared as Sean McGaskill in the Ruth Jones-penned comedy drama series Stella. From 2015 to 2023, Doughty starred as DS Aiden Healy alongside Brenda Blethyn in ITV's Vera. Doughty completed a UK tour of Simon Beaufoy's stage play The Full Monty in 2013. The play, in which Doughty played Gaz, was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy in 2014. In March 2023, Doughty revealed he had stepped down from working on Vera, writing online, " I can confirm I am leaving Vera. I want to thank everyone who’s made this amazing time so joyous, ITV, Silverprint, all the brilliant cast and crew BUT of course my buddy & inspiration Brenda Blethyn. The perfect leading star who I owe so much to. I feel lucky to have you as a friend, you make me howl with laughter & have been a rock for me over the years. I can’t thank you enough. Precious times."

Personal life

In 2006, Doughty married actress Caroline Carver. The couple separated in 2017. In 2023, Doughty married actress Ashley Jensen.

Filmography

As actor

As director