Victoria Smurfit
Victoria Smurfit – Life, Career, and Legacy
Discover the life and career of Victoria Smurfit, the Irish actress born March 31, 1974, known for Ballykissangel, Trial & Retribution, Once Upon a Time, Dracula, and more.
Introduction
Victoria Smurfit is an Irish actress who has achieved recognition in both UK and international television and film. Born on 31 March 1974, she is especially known for her roles as Orla O’Connell in Ballykissangel, Detective Chief Inspector Róisín Connor in Trial & Retribution, and as Cruella de Vil in Once Upon a Time.
In recent years she has also starred in the Disney+ adaptation of Rivals as Maud O’Hara. This article explores her background, career highlights, style, and impact.
Early Life & Background
Victoria Smurfit was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 31 March 1974.
She is a member of the Smurfit family, one of Ireland’s prominent business families. Her uncle Michael Smurfit has been closely associated with the family enterprises, including Smurfit Kappa, which is one of Europe’s major packaging and paper companies.
Victoria attended St. Columba’s College in Dublin and later St. George’s School, Ascot in England. She studied theatre at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School after completing A-levels in theatre studies.
Despite her family’s wealth and standing, Smurfit chose to pursue acting rather than joining the family business, showing early commitment to the arts.
Acting Career & Achievements
Breakthrough & British / Irish Television
Her career began in the mid-1990s. One of her early screen credits is The Run of the Country (1995).
Smurfit gained wide recognition for her role as Orla O’Connell in Ballykissangel (1998–1999).
From 2003 to 2009, she starred as Detective Chief Inspector Róisín Connor in Trial & Retribution (ITV).
She has also made guest or supporting appearances in series like Agatha Christie’s Marple, Dracula (as Lady Jayne Wetherby), The Mentalist, Once Upon a Time, Bloodlands, and recently Rivals.
In Once Upon a Time, she played Cruella de Vil, earning a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the 13th IFTA Film & Drama Awards in 2016.
In 2024, she took on the role of Maud O’Hara in Rivals (Disney+), based on the Jilly Cooper novel.
Film & Other Roles
Smurfit’s film appearances, though less frequent than her TV work, complement her screen resume. Some of her film credits include:
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About a Boy (2002) as Suzie
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Bulletproof Monk (2003) as Nina
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The Last Great Wilderness (2002)
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The Lears (2017) as Diana
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Deadly Cuts (2021) as Pippa
Style, Persona & Acting Approach
Victoria Smurfit often portrays characters with depth, strength, or complexity. She has taken roles that range from warm and sympathetic (Orla in Ballykissangel) to hard-edged and villainous (Cruella de Vil). This range suggests both flexibility and a willingness to explore different facets of character.
In interviews, she has shared that for physically demanding roles (for instance, Dracula), she undertook stunts and training—learning rappelling, sword work, combat, and more.
Smurfit also balances her public identity with private advocacy: she writes opinion pieces (for example, for The Dubliner), is a patron of World Vision Ireland, and has spoken about personal dimensions of her life.
Her choice of roles in fantasy/horror genres (e.g. Dracula, Once Upon a Time) as well as crime drama reflects both commercial and artistic sensibilities.
Personal Life & Legacy
Victoria married advertising executive Douglas Baxter on 29 July 2000. They have three children: Evie Dorothy Baxter (born 2 November 2004), Ridley Belle Baxter (born May 2007), and Flynn Alexander Baxter (born November 2008).
In 2012, the family relocated to Santa Monica, California, USA. In February 2015, it was announced they had filed for divorce.
In late 2023, she married Steve Jacobs.
Smurfit continues to be active in screen roles, and her casting in Rivals suggests a resurgence in her visibility. Her career demonstrates that she has established a path distinct from her family’s business legacy, choosing creative expression and public work as her identity.
Notable Quotes & Remarks
While Victoria Smurfit is not widely quoted in compiled collections, one notable remark about the rigor of acting:
On preparing for Dracula, she said: “I learned to rappel down caves, I learned broadswords, birka knives, backflips. I learned boxing, unarmed combat, how to fall off swords.”
This illustrates her dedication to fully embodying challenging roles.
Lessons from Victoria Smurfit’s Journey
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Forge your own path — Despite coming from a prominent business family, she pursued a distinct identity in the arts.
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Embrace versatility — Her willingness to take both sympathetic and villainous roles shows range and courage.
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Commit physically & mentally — Her training for demanding roles underscores that craft often requires going beyond basic acting.
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Balance public & private — She maintains a public presence while engaging in advocacy and personal writing.
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Sustain over flash — Her steady work over decades, rather than a single breakout moment, is a mark of durability.