Harriet Kemsley looks back: ‘My parents say I was a very well-behaved child. Sadly this has been in steady decline over the years’

February 23, 2026

TL;DR

Harriet Kemsley, born in Canterbury in 1987, is a comedian and podcaster who started standup in 2011.
She grew up on a farm, became a vegetarian at eight, and was diagnosed with dyspraxia, which contributed to many comedic incidents.
Kemsley struggled with shyness and introversion, which impacted her early ambitions in acting and drama school applications.
She pursued standup comedy, initially keeping it secret from her employer, and found it to be her lifelong passion.
Kemsley uses comedy to work through difficult experiences, including sexual assault, and therapy has been crucial to her healing process.
Becoming a mother to her daughter Mabel has made her feel more capable and has provided a new perspective on managing her career and personal life.
Despite life's challenges, Kemsley feels grateful for her career, which allows her to frame experiences and connect with people, often through absurd personal anecdotes.

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