You might not know Ellie Kemper’s name (yet) but chances are you’ll recognise her face thanks to her roles in ‘Bridesmaids’ and the American version of ‘The Office’.
But it looks like Ellie’s star is about to go stratospheric, thanks to her landing the lead role in the soon-to-be-huge Netflix comedy ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’.
The brilliant new series, which is written by ‘30 Rock’ scribes Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, centres around the naïve Kimmy (Ellie), who is forced to contend with the real world (well, New York) after being released from a doomsday cult’s bunker after 15 years underground, believing the world above has been destroyed.
The critics are already falling over themselves to heap praise on the comedy, with Vanity Fair describing it as ‘endearing and genuinely, cackle-out-loud funny’, Entertainment Weekly called it a ‘wise, wicked comedy’, whilst LA Weekly labelled it a ‘darker 30 Rock’.
Here’s everything you need to know about its star, in less than a minute and a half...
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(01 of09)
Open Image ModalEllie is best known for her role as Erin Hannon in the US version of ‘The Office’ and being the most forgettable bridesmaid (not her fault), innocent Becca, in ‘Bridesmaids’ (that's her, third from the left). (credit:Universal)
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(02 of09)
Open Image ModalOne of her teachers at school was ‘Mad Men’ star Jon Hamm. The pair even appeared in a school play together, and it sounds like he made quite the impression on a young Ellie. “He was definitely just as handsome back then. And having this grown, tall man teach you theatre, it was like having a hunk in the class. So basically what I remember is that he was really handsome.” (credit:Michael Caulfield via Getty Images)
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(03 of09)
Open Image ModalShe describes her character, Erin Hannon, in ‘The Office’ as ‘an exaggerated version of myself’. (credit:NBC)
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(04 of09)
Open Image ModalShe is married to Michael Koman, a former writer on 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien'. (credit:Christopher Polk via Getty Images)
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(05 of09)
Open Image ModalIf you ever find yourself out for dinner with Ellie, watch those elbows and keep your mouth shut when you’re eating. "It drives me crazy when people don't have good manners. I think it's inexcusable," she told People magazine. (credit:John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(06 of09)
Open Image ModalAnd the same goes for airport etiquette. "It makes me angry at baggage claims when people go so close to the carousel so that no one can see what bags are coming out,” she said. “If you just made like a bigger circumference everyone would be able to see.” (credit:Ray Tamarra via Getty Images)
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(07 of09)
Open Image ModalShe’s a big fan of the Big Apple (where ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ is filmed). "Shooting all over New York City is so much fun. The energy is unparalleled. I love this city," she said. (credit:Charles Guerin/ABACA USA)
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(08 of09)
Open Image ModalShe believes the best comedy comes from dark things. “[‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’] is an arguably dark premise, but of course comedy comes from dark things. But, primarily, it's a show about beginnings and starting over and the resilience of the human spirit.” (credit:RW/MediaPunch/IPx)
Ellie Kemper: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(09 of09)
Open Image ModalEllie has great taste in TV - she's currently enjoying 'The Mindy Project', 'The Fall' and 'Transparent'. (credit:Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ comes to Netflix from 6 March 2015. Watch the trailer above.