Laurie Brett facts for kids

Laurie Brett (born 28 March 1969) is a Scottish actress. She is famous for playing Jane Beale in the TV show EastEnders. She also played Christine Mulgrew in the drama series Waterloo Road.

About Laurie Brett

Laurie Brett was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland. She went to the London Studio Centre to study acting. Laurie can speak Spanish very well.

When Laurie moved to London, she learned to speak with a London accent. This helped her for her role in EastEnders. She is good at doing different accents. She once said that her Scottish accent helped her avoid being recognized as Jane from EastEnders. When people asked if she was Jane, she would reply in her Scottish accent. Then, they would think they were wrong.

Laurie has one child, a daughter named Erin Anne Millie Brett. Erin was born in June 2011.

Laurie's Acting Journey

Laurie loved drama when she was young. To become a professional actress in the UK, she needed an Equity Card. This card allows actors to be paid for their work. When she was 17, she saw an advertisement in a newspaper called The Stage. She joined a travelling circus called Circo Magico Italiano. She traveled with them in Mexico and Central America.

Her first TV role was in London's Burning in 1993. She later appeared in The Bill in two different roles. She also acted in My Hero. After returning to London, she performed in many plays in the West End. These included Les Misérables and The Rocky Horror Show.

Becoming Jane Beale in EastEnders

A casting director for EastEnders saw Laurie in Les Misérables. She was then given the part of Jane Beale. Laurie first appeared on the show in June 2004. She signed contracts to stay on the show for many years. In May 2011, Laurie took a short break from EastEnders. This was because she was having her baby. She came back to the show in November 2011.

Her character, Jane, left EastEnders in January 2012. Laurie returned briefly in January 2014. She then came back to the show full-time later that November. Laurie left EastEnders again in 2017. Her last episode aired on 23 October 2017. However, Jane made a surprise return on 15 July 2024 for a short time.

Playing Christine Mulgrew in Waterloo Road

On 15 March 2012, it was announced that Laurie would join Waterloo Road. She played Christine Mulgrew, an English teacher. This was the first time Laurie used her natural Scottish accent for a TV role. This was because the show had moved its filming location to Scotland.

Laurie's character, Christine, became the acting headteacher. This happened at the end of the eighth series. She was then made the permanent headteacher at the start of series 9. Laurie continued to act in Waterloo Road even after returning to EastEnders. She stayed in the role until the show finished.

Other Roles and Appearances

On 24 December 2018, Laurie took part in a special TV show called All Together Now. She won the competition. In January 2020, Laurie starred as DC Gemma Darlington in the crime drama Deadwater Fell. In 2022, she joined the cast of the BBC drama series Shetland.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Laurie Brett para niños