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Kay Adshead played the leading character Linda in Mike Leigh's 1977 BBC television drama The Kiss of Death, which aired as part of the Play for Today series on January 11, 1977.

Wuthering Heights is a gothic tale of passion and revenge centered on the intense, destructive love between Cathy Earnshaw and the orphaned Heathcliff.

Cathy's Core Plot Arc

Childhood Bond: Cathy grows up at the Wuthering Heights estate and forms a deep, wild soulmate bond with Heathcliff.

The Betrayal: Despite loving Heathcliff, Cathy chooses social status and wealth over passion, marrying the refined Edgar Linton of Thrushcross Grange.

The Descent: Heartbroken, Heathcliff disappears and returns years later as a wealthy, vindictive man. His return drives a pregnant Cathy into severe mental and physical illness.

Tragic End: Cathy dies giving birth to her daughter (Catherine), but her ghost continues to haunt a tormented Heathcliff until they are finally reunited in death.

In the film, Adshead’s character is part of a BBC television crew sent to Belfast during the height of "The Troubles" to interview a Catholic family living in the Divis Flats. While filming, a local child is hit by a plastic bullet fired by a British soldier.

When the crew returns to London, Sue (Adshead) and the film's producer, Simon (played by Andy Rashleigh), face intense moral and political dilemmas. They must wrestle with media censorship, ethical responsibilities, and institutional pressure as their superiors look to alter or suppress the controversial footage.

Over to Pam is an episode of Victoria Wood’s 1989 comedy series Victoria Wood (Victoria Wood Presents), satirising daytime television.

Kay Adshead plays Lorraine Spence, a successful Liverpudlian hairdresser invited onto Live with Pam. The production team try to turn her into a crude stereotype, changing her clothes, makeup and manner while steering her away from discussing her business success. Lorraine eventually walks out, leaving Victoria to confront the show’s egotistical host, Pam (Julie Walters), on live television.

Kay Adshead played the larger-than-life character, Barbara Fletcher, in the Channel 5 soap opera Family Affairs. As Barbara Fletcher, Kay was central to the early years of the soap when it focused closely on the everyday lives of the Hart and Gates family circles in the fictional quiet riverside suburb of Charnham. Her episodes with TV icon Les Dennis, who played her boyfriend, were particularly well received.

Kay says, "It was a joy meeting with and working with Liz Crowther, a wonderful actress, and a lovely person. When I was a child, i was a huge fan of Crackerjack and her father, Lesley Crowther."

Christine is Series 2, Episode 8 of Victoria Wood's sitcom dinnerladies.

Anita goes on maternity leave, and an outspoken, spiritual newcomer named Christine (played by Kay Adshead) joins the canteen team.

Christine quickly alienates most of the staff with her quirky behaviour.

A chaotic mix-up occurs when Christine accidentally puts Tony's Viagra pill into Dolly's tea, causing Dolly to panic in hysterics before turning against Christine, who flees the canteen in tears.