Bessie Carter

Last updated

Bessie Carter
Born
Bessie Beatrice Carter

(1993-10-25) 25 October 1993 (age 30)
Westminster, London, England [1]
Alma mater Guildhall School of Music and Drama [2]
OccupationActress
Years active2006–present
Television Howards End
Beecham House
Bridgerton
Parents

Bessie Beatrice Carter (born 25 October 1993) is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Prudence Featherington on the Netflix series Bridgerton , as well as Evie Wilcox on the BBC television series Howards End (2017) [3] and Violet Woodhouse on the ITV television series Beecham House (2019). [4] She most recently starred in the 2024 National Theatre revival of Dear Octopus .

Contents

Early life

Carter was born in Westminster to actors Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter. In 2007, the three appeared in the BBC series Cranford (Carter was Captain Brown, Staunton was Miss Octavia Pole and Bessie was the maid, Margaret Gidman). [5] [6] [7]

She initially attended Francis Holland School before moving to Camden School for Girls, a state school, where she completed her A Levels. [1] She took a year out, during which she auditioned for drama school. [8] She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2016 and winning the Spotlight Prize for Best Screen Actor that same year. [9]

Acting credits

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2012 Les Misérables Ensemble Factory Woman
2018OilSophieShort film
2019 The Good Liar Secretary
2020TwoNew EllaShort film
EmergeJess

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007 Gina's Laughing Gear BeckyEpisode: "Trevor Island"
2007–2008 Cranford Margaret Gidman4 episodes
2017 Doc Martin Amy VincentEpisode: "Farewell My Lovely"
Howards End Evie Wilcox4 episodes
Beecham House Violet Woodhouse6 episodes
2020–present Bridgerton Prudence Featherington/DankworthMain role
2022 I Hate Suzie Poppy Hunter3 episodes
TBA Outrageous Nancy Mitford Filming

On stage

YearTitleRoleDirectorVenueRef.
2015 The Secret Rapture MarionWyn Jones Guildhall School of Music and Drama [10]
LuluGeschwitzChristian BurgessGuildhall School of Music and Drama [11]
2016 King Lear Ensemble Deborah Warner The Old Vic [12]
2018 Baskerville Actor 3Loveday Ingram Liverpool Playhouse [13]
2019 All My Sons Lydia Lubey Jeremy Herrin The Old Vic [14]
2024 Dear Octopus FennyEmily Burns National Theatre [15]

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2022 Total War: Warhammer III Additional voices

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by and Ensemble in a Drama Series Bridgerton Nominated [16]

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References

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  2. "Guildhall School Graduates 2015/2016". Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
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  5. "Imelda Staunton on acting naturally, 21 June 2018". The Times. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  6. "Bessie Carter takes after her parents with new role, but says they 'let me do my own thing, 26 August 2016". Evening Standard. 26 August 2016.
  7. "Howards End's Bessie Carter, daughter of Downton Abbey star Jim Carter: 'Dad screamed when I got the part!', 14 November 2017". what's on tv. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  8. Cox, Emma (30 June 2019). "Bessie Carter". Sunday Express. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  9. "Bessie Carter - Spotlight Prize for Best Screen Actor 2016". Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Archived from the original on 28 July 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  10. "Guildhall's 2015 autumn drama programme begins, 7 October 2015". The Guildhall School. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
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  16. Zhan, Jennifer (4 April 2021). "Viola Davis, Daniel Kaluuya, The Crown Win Big at 2021 SAG Awards". Vulture. Retrieved 29 February 2024.