Mali Harries is one of Wales’s most respected and recognizable performers, known for her intelligence, emotional depth, and unwavering commitment to Welsh-language culture. Over a career spanning more than two decades, she has built an impressive body of work across television, radio, theatre, and voice acting, earning critical acclaim and industry awards. This biography-style profile explores her life, career, and personal journey in detail, offering a complete picture of the woman behind some of modern Welsh television’s most memorable characters.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Mali Harries |
| Date of Birth | 6 July 1976 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 48 years |
| Birthplace | Wales, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | Welsh / British |
| Height | Approximately 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Hair Colour | Dark brown |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Education | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
| Profession | Actress, presenter, voice artist |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Matthew Gravelle |
| Children | Two |
| Net Worth (estimated) | £1.5–2 million |
| Known For | Hinterland (Y Gwyll), Keeping Faith, The Indian Doctor, The Archers, Elden Ring |
Early Life & Education
Mali Harries was born on 6 July 1976 and raised in Wales, a country whose language, history, and creative traditions would later become central to her identity as an artist. Growing up in a Welsh-speaking environment, she developed a deep appreciation for storytelling from an early age. Welsh culture places great value on oral tradition, poetry, and performance, and these influences quietly shaped her imagination long before she considered acting as a career.
As a child, Harries was curious and expressive rather than overtly theatrical. She enjoyed reading, listening to radio drama, and observing people, habits that would later serve her well as an actress known for subtlety and realism. School life exposed her to drama and literature, where she found herself increasingly drawn to character-driven stories rather than spectacle. Teachers reportedly noticed her sensitivity and emotional intelligence, qualities that would become hallmarks of her performances.
After completing her early education in Wales, Harries made the decisive move to train professionally as an actress. She was accepted into the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, graduating in 1997. The training was demanding and immersive, focusing on classical theatre, voice, movement, and screen acting. This period proved formative, instilling in her discipline, resilience, and respect for the craft. While many young actors struggle with confidence during formal training, Harries later reflected that drama school confirmed her belief that acting was not simply an ambition, but her vocation.
Personal and Family Life
Despite her public profile, Mali Harries has always maintained a thoughtful boundary between her professional and private life. She is married to fellow Welsh actor Matthew Gravelle, a respected performer in his own right. Their relationship is often admired within the industry for its balance of mutual support and independence.
The couple have two children and lives in Wales, choosing to raise their family away from the intensity of London’s celebrity culture. This decision reflects Harries’s grounded outlook and strong attachment to home. Family life has played a significant role in shaping her career choices, particularly in selecting projects that allow her to balance work with parenting.
Interestingly, Harries and Gravelle have appeared together on screen several times. In the acclaimed legal drama Keeping Faith, they portrayed a married couple, while in other series, such as Baker Boys, they played unrelated characters. Their ability to work together professionally without overshadowing one another has been widely praised.
Beyond her immediate family, Harries is known for her close ties to the Welsh creative community. She often speaks about the importance of representing Welsh voices authentically and passing cultural pride on to the next generation.
Career Journey
Mali Harries began her professional career in the late 1990s, initially working in theatre and television roles that allowed her to refine her craft. Early work included appearances in Welsh-language productions, which helped her establish herself within S4C and BBC Wales circles. These early roles may not have brought widespread fame, but they built a solid foundation of experience and credibility.
Her first breakthrough came with the BBC drama The Indian Doctor, in which she played Megan Evans. The series received praise for its warm portrayal of a multicultural Welsh mining community, and Harries’s performance stood out for its emotional honesty and nuance. This role earned her one of her two BAFTA Cymru Best Actress awards and marked a turning point in her career.
Wider recognition followed with her portrayal of DI Mared Rhys in the noir detective series Hinterland (Y Gwyll). Set against the atmospheric landscapes of west Wales, the series became an international success. Harries’s character was complex, restrained, and quietly authoritative, qualities that resonated strongly with audiences. The role cemented her reputation as a serious dramatic actress and earned her a second BAFTA Cymru award.
She later appeared in the hugely popular bilingual drama Keeping Faith (Un Bore Mercher), playing Bethan Price. The show’s success further expanded her audience and reinforced her status as a key figure in modern Welsh television. Alongside these headline roles, Harries continued to work steadily in series such as Pobol y Cwm, ensuring her presence remained familiar to Welsh viewers.
In addition to screen work, Harries built a parallel career in radio and voice acting. Since 2018, she has voiced Natasha Archer in BBC Radio 4’s long-running soap The Archers, introducing her voice to millions of listeners. Her international profile grew further when she voiced Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, in the globally successful video game Elden Ring, including additional content released in 2025.
Life Challenges and Turning Points
Like many actors, Harries’s journey was not without uncertainty. The early years of her career were marked by financial instability and the challenge of balancing auditions with everyday life. Choosing to prioritize Welsh-language work at times also meant turning down potentially more lucrative opportunities elsewhere, a decision that required conviction and patience.
Another major turning point came with motherhood. Balancing a demanding acting career with raising children required careful negotiation and, at times, difficult choices. Harries has spoken candidly about the need for flexibility and understanding within the industry, particularly for working parents.
Rather than viewing these challenges as setbacks, she has often described them as grounding forces that clarified her values and deepened her performances.
Current Life and Career
As of 2025, Mali Harries remains an active and in-demand performer. Recent projects include appearances in The Way, Brassic, and the series Death Valley, demonstrating her continued versatility across genres. She remains closely involved with Welsh-language drama while also participating in UK-wide and international productions.
Harries is not especially active on social media, preferring a low-key digital presence. When she does engage publicly, it is often to support Welsh arts initiatives, promote new projects, or advocate for the Welsh language.
Net Worth and Financial Status
Mali Harries’s estimated net worth is between £1.5 million and £2 million. Her income is derived primarily from television acting, radio work, voice acting, and occasional presenting roles. While not known for extravagant displays of wealth, her lifestyle reflects comfort, stability, and thoughtful choices rather than excess.
Public Image and Media Presence
Harries is widely regarded as intelligent, grounded, and quietly charismatic. The media often describes her as an actor’s actor, respected more for consistency and craft than celebrity glamour. Fans admire her authenticity and her commitment to representing Wales with dignity on screen.
Fun Facts and Anecdotes
Despite her serious screen roles, Harries is known among colleagues for her dry humour. She is an avid reader and has expressed a love of radio drama as both a listener and performer. Many fans are surprised to learn that her voice in Elden Ring is provided by the same actor who plays grounded, contemporary characters on television.
Conclusion
Mali Harries’s career is a testament to the power of staying true to one’s roots while embracing growth and change. From her early days in Wales to international recognition on screen and in gaming, she has built a legacy defined by integrity, talent, and cultural pride. Her journey reflects resilience, thoughtful decision-making, and a deep love of storytelling, ensuring her place among Wales’s most enduring and respected performers.
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(FAQs)
Who is Mali Harries?
Mali Harries is a Welsh actress and presenter known for her work in television, radio, and voice acting.
When did Mali Harries marry?
She married fellow Welsh actor Matthew Gravelle; the couple have been together for many years.
Does Mali Harries have children?
Yes, she has two children and lives with her family in Wales.
What is Mali Harries doing now?
She continues to act in television, radio, and voice roles, with recent projects released between 2024 and 2025.
What is Mali Harries’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is between £1.5 million and £2 million.