Atkinson has also had regular roles in the television series Fat Cow Motel, Blue Heelers, The Cooks and Kath & Kim.

Atkinson was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, on 28 June 1972 to an English mother and Tasmanian father.

She studied English at Curtin University in Perth from 1990 to 1993, earning a BA with a double major in theatre and film and television.

[5] Atkinson revealed in 2021 that she had planned to walk away from acting altogether before she was offered her role in Wentworth as she was studying a Masters in International Politics at the time and said "I'll do a season.

[6] In March 2022 Channel 9 had announced that Atkinson was named as the lead for Underbelly: Vanishing Act as con woman Melissa Caddick.