Esther Smith

For the Ghanaian gospel musician, see Esther Smith (singer). For the American gospel musician, see Esther Smith (musician).

Esther Smith
Born	(1986-09-28) 28 September 1986 (age 38) [1] Stourbridge, West Midlands, England
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2010–present
Partner	Rafe Spall (2022–present)
Children	1

Esther Smith is an English actress best known for her work in the television series Uncle , Cuckoo and Trying . She is also known for originating the role of Delphi Diggory in the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child . ^{[2] [3]}

Early life

Smith was raised in Stourbridge, West Midlands. Her parents are teachers, and she has a sister, Rachel. ^{[4] [5]} Smith began dancing when she was three and was active in her local pantomime company. ^{[5] [6]} She studied ballet and contemporary dance at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge, where she began acting, before moving to the Guildford School of Acting at the urging of a teacher. ^{[4] [7]}

Career

Shortly after leaving drama school, Smith rose to prominence in 2010 for her role as Trish in Material Girl . ^[5] She has since had guest appearances on Skins and The Midnight Beast .

In 2014, she replaced Tamla Kari as Rachel for the second series of Cuckoo on BBC Three. ^[4] She also starred in the ITV2 comedy Cockroaches and had a recurring role on another BBC Three sitcom, Uncle, as Melodie. ^{[7] [8]}

In April 2015, Smith starred in Channel 4 show Ballot Monkeys , as assistant to the Liberal Democrats candidate. ^[9] In February 2016, she appeared in Siblings as Holly, an old flame of Dan's from Circus School.

She was part of the original cast of Harry Potter play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , portraying Delphi Diggory. In October 2017 she appeared in Parliament Square as Kat at the Royal Exchange, Manchester.

In May 2020, Smith began appearing in Apple TV+ original Trying in the lead role of Nikki. Season 2 premiered on 21 May 2021. Season 3 premiered on 22 July 2022.

Personal life

Smith is in a relationship with her Trying co-star Rafe Spall, with whom she has a child, born in 2024. ^[10]

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2010	Material Girl	Trish	Main role
2013	Skins	Emma	2 episodes
2013	Holby City	Roxanne Gregson	Episode: "All at Sea"
2014–2017	Uncle	Melodie	10 episodes
2014	The Midnight Beast	Ronnie	4 episodes
2014	The Smoke	Mother	1 episode
2014–2019	Cuckoo	Rachel	Main role (27 episodes); replaced Tamla Kari
2014	Black Mirror	Madge	Episode: "White Christmas"
2015	Cockroaches	Suze
2015	Ballot Monkeys	Charlotte Guthrie
2016	Zapped	Gwendolyn	Episode: "Barrel"
2016	Siblings	Holly	Episode: "Baby Sack"
2019	Defending the Guilty	Hannah	1 Episode
2020–present	Trying	Nikki Newman	Main role
2021	Dodo	Mom Mrs Connoly	11 Episodes

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2015	Funny Valentines: Elephant (Nick Helm)	"Her"	Short film (BBC iPlayer)
2017	New Year	Alice	Short film
2017	Confection	Ms. Kripps	Short film
2018	F*ck	Sarah	Short film

Theatre credits

Year	Title	Role	Theatre	Notes
2009	The Author	Esther	Royal Court Theatre
2010	Romeo and Juliet	Juliet Capulet	Mosaica @ The Chocolate Factory
2010	The Author	Esther	North Wall Arts Centre
			Northern Stage
			Warwick Arts Centre
			Birmingham Repertory Theatre
			Royal Exchange
Unknown	Limbs (Present Tense)	Woman	Nabokov Theatre
2011	Many Moons	Juniper Jessops	Theatre503
Unknown	Carrot	Michelle	Theatre503
Unknown	When it Falls	Gillian	Soho Theatre
2012	The Honey Man	Misty	Guildhall Theatre
			Terry O'Toole Theatre
			Kirkgate Centre
2012	NSFW	Charlotte	Royal Court Theatre
2016–2017	Harry Potter and the Cursed Child	Delphi Diggory	Palace Theatre
2017–2018	Parliament Square	Kat	Royal Exchange
			Bush Theatre

References

1. "37 🎈". Instagram. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
2. "Esther Smith - Biography". IMDb. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
3. Apple. "Esther Smith Films and Shows – Apple TV (UK)". Apple TV. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
4. Laws, Roz (4 August 2014). "Esther goes Cuckoo with Twilight star Taylor Lautner". Birmingham Mail . Reach plc . Retrieved 16 February 2015.
5. Holder, Bev (9 February 2010). "Stourbridge actress strikes a pose in new fashion drama". Dudley News . Newsquest Ltd. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
6. Falconer, Daniel (11 August 2014). "Esther Smith exclusive interview – Cuckoo, Taylor Lautner's dropped towel & more". Female First. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
7. "Cockroaches Interview with Daniel Lawrence Taylor and Esther Smith". Student Rag. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
8. Dessau, Bruce (9 February 2015). "TV Review, Uncle, Series 2, BBC3". Beyond The Joke. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
9. Shennan, Paddy (24 April 2015). "Election 2015: New sitcom is making monkeys out of politicians". Liverpool Echo . Reach plc . Retrieved 24 April 2015.
10. Williams, Zoe (14 May 2024), "'It's great!' Rafe Spall on having a baby with his co-star in Trying, the infertility sitcom", Guardian

External links

• Esther Smith at IMDb  
• Esther Smith at British Comedy Guide