British actress Georgina Cates, best known for playing Jenny Porter in the early seasons of the BBC sitcom 2point4 Children, died in May at the age of 51. News of her passing became public months later on October 17, 2026, when the show’s creator, Andrew Marshall, shared the update in a post on X.
Born Claire Elaine Woodgate in Ess*x, Cates began her television career at just 16 years old. To land her breakout television role after an initial rejection under her birth name, she created a fictional persona, dyeing her hair red and adopting a Liverpudlian accent. She starred as the first Jenny Porter in 2point4 Children for its first two series.
Transition to Film and Critical Acclaim
Following her success on British television, Cates transitioned into independent and mainstream film. In 1995, she landed a breakthrough starring role in the film An Awfully Big Adventure, working alongside high-profile casts and directors. Her film credits throughout the 1990s also included roles in Frankie Starlight (1995) and Illuminata (1998).
Cates earned widespread critical acclaim for her performance in the 1998 crime thriller Clay Pigeons, starring alongside Vince Vaughn and Joaquin Phoenix. After taking a seven-year break from the industry, she returned to acting in 2007 with the independent film Sinner, a performance that earned her a Best Actress award at the Brooklyn Arts Council International Film & Video Festival. Her final on-screen appearance was in the 2016 short film Save Me From The Sound Of The Siren, where she played Madeleine.
Tributes and Personal Life
Andrew Marshall led public tributes to the late actress after discovering the news of her death, which occurred on May 6, 2026. Writing on X, Marshall expressed his condolences: “I’m very sad to report, I have just discovered, that lovely and talented Claire Woodgate aka Georgina Cates, our 1st Jenny in 2p4 died last May. I have no other details than on IMDb. Sympathies to her family and children.”
During her life, Cates was married to actor Skeet Ulrich from 1997 to 2005. The couple shared two children, Naiia and Jakob Ulrich, who have also pursued careers in acting. Her daughter, Naiia Ulrich, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram following her mother’s passing, writing: “My beautiful, free-spirited mom lived a hard life and still found ways to make herself and others laugh and smile… now she can rest easy.”
As of October 2026, an official cause of death has not been disclosed to the public, and questions remain regarding why the news of her passing was delayed by several months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Georgina Cates?
Georgina Cates was a British actress born Claire Elaine Woodgate. She gained prominence for playing Jenny Porter in the first two series of the BBC sitcom 2point4 Children and starred in films such as An Awfully Big Adventure and Clay Pigeons.
When did Georgina Cates die?
Georgina Cates passed away on May 6, 2026, at the age of 51, though the news was not made public until October 2026.
What was her cause of death?
An official cause of death has not been released or disclosed to the public.
Who were her notable family members?
She was previously married to actor Skeet Ulrich from 1997 to 2005. They had two children together, Naiia Ulrich and Jakob Ulrich, who are also actors.
What were her most famous acting roles?
She is best known for portraying Jenny Porter in 2point4 Children, and for her film work in An Awfully Big Adventure (1995) and Clay Pigeons (1998).
