Nancy Kate Ashfield Nancy had never "worked out" before; but a sick mother suddenly widowed and left with three younger children besides Nancy herself, had forced the girl into doing something toward their support, and she had been so pleased when she found a place in the kitchen of the great house on the hill ... ...In the little attic room Nancy swept and scrubbed vigorously, paying particular attention to the corners. There were times, indeed, when the vigor she put into her work was more of a relief to her feelings than it was an ardor to efface dirt -- Nancy, in spite of her frightened submission to her mistress, was no saint... -- From Pollyanna, 'Chapter I, Miss Polly' and 'Chapter II, Old Tom and Nancy' A native of Oldham, Lancashire, Kate Ashfield was named one of Europe's 'Shooting Stars' by European Film Promotion in 2001. She won the British Independent Film Best Actress award for her role in Late Night Shopping in 2001 and the Royal Television Society Best Female Actor award in 2004 for This Little Life. Her film credits also include the role of Shaun's girlfriend, Liz, in 2004's send-up of zombie movies, Shaun of the Dead.