Mia McKenna-Bruce

Last updated

Mia McKenna-Bruce
Mia mckenna bruce 2022 1.jpg
McKenna-Bruce in 2022
Born
Mia Sasha McKenna-Bruce

(1997-07-03) 3 July 1997 (age 26)
London, England
OccupationActress
Years active2006–present
Children1

Mia Sasha McKenna-Bruce [1] (born 3 July 1997) is an English actress. She gained prominence through her role as Tee Taylor in Tracy Beaker Returns and The Dumping Ground . Her films include Persuasion and How to Have Sex . For the latter, she won a British Independent Film Award, the BAFTA Rising Star Award and was nominated for the European Film Award for Best Actress.

Contents

On television, McKenna-Bruce also appeared in the iPlayer series Get Even and the Peacock series Vampire Academy .

Early life

McKenna-Bruce was born on 3 July 1997 [2] in London and was raised in Chislehurst, Bromley. [3] [1] [4] [5] [6] McKenna-Bruce took dance classes at Liz Burville Performing Arts Centre in Bexley and was a student at Belcanto London Academy. [4] [1] McKenna-Bruce also attended the Sapphire Dance Academy in Bexleyheath, [7] as well as the Maidstone Grammar School for Girls. [8] McKenna-Bruce has two sisters, Anya and Ellis. [9]

Career

McKenna-Bruce's first role was a ballet girl in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical . [10] [11] Her first TV role was the minor role of Ester, Small Dark Places. [12] She then starred in Holby City as Abi Taylor for one episode. [13] McKenna-Bruce then appeared in EastEnders as Penny Branning. [7] She had a two episode guest in January 2008 and then another three episode guest stint in April 2008. McKenna-Bruce next starred in The Bill in 2009 as Keira Curtis for one episode. [14] She then moved on to Doctors for three episodes. [15]

Later in 2009, McKenna-Bruce starred in her first film role, The Fourth Kind , playing Ashley Tyler. [16] [17] [18] Her next role was as main character Tee Taylor in Tracy Beaker Returns from 2010 to 2012. [19] In 2011, McKenna-Bruce appeared in the TV series Spy for one episode, [20] and in five episodes of The Tracy Beaker Survival Guide. McKenna-Bruce reprised the role of Tee Taylor from 2013 until 2016 (and again as a guest in 2017 and 2018) in the spin-off series The Dumping Ground . [21] McKenna-Bruce played Tee Taylor in a The Dumping Ground spin-off, The Dumping Ground: I'm... , a webisode series. [22] She guest starred in another episode of Holby City as Asia Lucas, as well as guest starring in BBC Three's Josh . [23] [24] [25] McKenna-Bruce was cast as the lead in a feature film, The Rebels. [26] In 2020, she began portraying the role of Bree Deringer on the iPlayer teen thriller series Get Even . [27] In 2021, she appeared in an episode of Vera , [28] later being cast in the Netflix film Persuasion . [29] In August of that same year, she was cast as Mia Karp in the PeacockTV fantasy series Vampire Academy . [30]

In 2021, McKenna-Bruce successfully auditioned for the role of Tara in Molly Manning Walker's film How to Have Sex . Her performance as an inexperienced schoolgirl grappling with issues of consent while on holiday in Crete was widely praised [31] [32] [33] and led to her being identified as a Screen Star of Tomorrow by Screen Daily. [34] She was also nominated for Best European Actress at the 2023 European Film Awards, [35] and won the Best Breakthrough Performer of the Year at the 2023 London Film Critics Circle Awards. [36] She also won the BAFTA Rising Star Award at the 2024 BAFTA Film Awards. [37]

Personal life

In February 2022, McKenna-Bruce became engaged to actor Tom Leach. [38] In August 2023, they welcomed their first child, a son Leo. [39]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2009 The Fourth Kind Ashley Tyler [16] [17] [18]
2017MiloMiaShort film [28]
2019Hit It and Quit ItNikkiShort film [28]
Watch What I DoNikkiShort film [40]
2021Smudged SmileZoeShort film [41]
Last Train to Christmas Linda Sky Cinema
2022 Persuasion Mary Musgrove Netflix film [29]
2023 Kindling Lily [42]
How To Have Sex Tara [43]
2024Sister WivesUpcoming film [44]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2008Small Dark PlacesEster1 episode [12]
Holby City Abi TaylorEpisode: "Physician, Heal Thyself" [13]
EastEnders Penny Branning 5 episodes [7]
2009 The Bill Keira CurtisEpisode: "Little Girl Lost: Part 1" [14]
Doctors Pearl Snow3 episodes [15]
2010–2012 Tracy Beaker Returns Tee Taylor Main role [19]
2011SpyAshleyEpisode: "Codename: Blood" [20]
The Tracy Beaker Survival FilesTee Taylor5 episodes [28]
2013–2018 The Dumping Ground Main role [21]
2014 The Dumping Ground Survival Files Main role [45]
2016 The Dumping Ground: I'm... Main role [46]
2017 Holby City Asia LucasEpisode: "Growing Pains" [23] [24]
Josh BabysitterEpisode: "Bicycles & Babies" [25]
2019Piss Off, I Love YouTeen Snogger1 episode [28]
Cleaning Up Emily1 episode
The RebelsEnicaMain role [26] [47]
The Witcher MarilkaEpisode: "The End's Beginning" [28]
2020 Get Even Bree DeringerMain role [48]
2021 Vera Maya Draper1 episode [28]
2022 Vampire Academy Mia Karp Main role [49]

Video games

YearTitleRole
2011Tracy Beaker Returns: You ChooseTee Taylor
2013–2014The Dumping Ground Game
2015The Dumping Ground: You're the Boss [50]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2023 British Independent Film Awards Best Lead Performance How to Have Sex Won [51]
Breakthrough Performance Nominated
2023 European Film Awards European Actress Nominated [52]
2024 London Film Critics' Circle Breakthrough Performer of the YearWon [53]
2024 British Academy Film Awards BAFTA Rising Star Award Won [54]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 French, Matthew (29 December 2006). "Vying for the top". News Shopper. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  2. ↑ "Could this day get any better🔞🙌🙌🙌 @WickedUK". Twitter. 3 July 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  3. ↑ "Mia McKenna-Bruce Spotlight CV". Spotlight. 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Mia McKenna-Bruce child star has a big connection" (PDF). Hello Chislehurst. 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  5. ↑ "Mia McKenna-Bruce on Instagram: Happy Father's Day to our amazing daddy". 18 June 2017. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  6. ↑ Three Sisters on YouTube
  7. 1 2 3 "Talented Sapphire Dance Academy youngsters excel at UK's biggest show". Kent Online. 6 April 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  8. ↑ "Mia Mckenna-Bruce". Mandy.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018.
  9. ↑ Mia McKenna-Bruce - Biography - IMDb
  10. ↑ "Photos: Billy Elliot Gobbles Second Birthday Cake". WhatsonStage. 16 May 2007. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  11. ↑ French, Matthew (29 December 2006). "Vying for the top". News Shopper. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Small Dark Places". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Holby City Series 10–15. Physician, Heal Thyself". Radio Times. 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  14. 1 2 "The Bill Series 25 – 2. Little Girl Lost – Part One". Radio Times. 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  15. 1 2 Muppala, Vaman (2 November 2009). "Close encounters of The Fourth Kind". The Diamondback. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  16. 1 2 Nelson, Rob (4 November 2009). "Review: 'The Fourth Kind'". Variety. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  17. 1 2 Murray, Joel (16 November 2009). "Film review: The Fourth Kind". The Linc. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  18. 1 2 FUCHS, CYNTHIA (6 November 2009). "The Fourth Kind". PopMatters. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  19. 1 2 "Going Home, Series 3, Credits". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  20. 1 2 "Spy Episode 1.5 – Codename: Blood". British Comedy Guide. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  21. 1 2 "The Dumping Ground: S4-E1 Lost and Found". RadioTimes . Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  22. ↑ "The Dumping Ground I'm...Tee". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  23. 1 2 "Holby City – Growing Pains". BBC. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  24. 1 2 "Mia McKenna-Bruce on Twitter: @anthonyy7890 im filming an episode for Holby City next week and in the new year working on @TheMarshlandsTV 🤗 Vvvv excited!!". 3 December 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  25. 1 2 "Josh - Series 3, Bicycles & Babies, Credirs". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  26. 1 2 "Tornado Studios on Twitter: Very excited to have Mia McKenna Bruce on board in our upcoming feature film 'The Rebels'. #TheRebels @MiaMBruce". 18 January 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  27. ↑ "TV teen drama filmed in town coming to BBC iPlayer this week". The Bolton News . Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Rodrigues, Charlotte (9 April 2021). "EastEnders: Penny Branning actress Mia McKenna-Bruce looks unrecognisable 13 years after leaving soap". Entertainment Daily. Digitalbox. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  29. 1 2 Wiseman, Andreas (17 May 2021). "'Persuasion': Cosmo Jarvis To Star Opposite Dakota Johnson In Netflix & MRC Jane Austen Movie; Richard E. Grant, Suki Waterhouse, Nikki Amuka-Bird & More Join". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  30. ↑ Keheller, Patrick (18 September 2022). "Vampire Academy's resident queer couple explains simple reason TV needs more LGBTQ+ characters". PinkNews . Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  31. ↑ Ide, Wendy (5 November 2023). "How to Have Sex review – two stars are born with this searing study of consent". the Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  32. ↑ "How to Have Sex's Mia McKenna-Bruce: 'Consent is not yes or no'". The Independent. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  33. ↑ Flood, Alex (26 October 2023). "Mia McKenna-Bruce on her buzzy British breakout 'How To Have Sex'". NME. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  34. ↑ Gant, Charles (28 June 2023). "Stars of Tomorrow 2023: Mia McKenna-Bruce (actor)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  35. ↑ "Main Categories Nominees 2023". European Film Academy. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  36. ↑ Szalai, Georg (4 February 2024). "'Zone of Interest' Wins Best Film at London Critics' Circle Awards, Emma Stone Named Best Actress". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  37. ↑ "Winners Announced: EE BAFTA Film Awards". www.bafta.org. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  38. ↑ Mia McKenna-Bruce [@mia_mbruce] (24 February 2022). "When you see it...happiest girl in the world💍" – via Instagram.
  39. ↑ Mia McKenna-Bruce [@mia_mbruce] (28 September 2023). "A month of our little champ. 🫶 After a rough start we are finally out and seeing the world, I couldn't be prouder to be your mama💙" – via Instagram.
  40. ↑ "Our latest new short 'Watch What I Do' stars up and coming talent Isidora Fairhurst, @MiaMBruce (The Dumping Ground), Rita Bernard (Shiro's Story) and @Dani_MasDyer (winner of ITV's Love Island 2018). With the world premiere just 9 days away, the trailer drops tomorrow on #MYM!!". Twitter. Fully Focused. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  41. ↑ "'Get Even' Star Mia McKenna-Bruce Leads Cast of 'Smudged Smile,' First Film in Mental Health Anthology (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . 17 February 2021.
  42. ↑ Grater, Tom (6 August 2021). "'Sex Education' Star Boards UK Feature 'Kindling'; Venice Passion For Film Award; ITV Hub Record – Global Briefs". Deadline. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  43. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (21 October 2022) [21 October 2022]. "MK2 Boards Film4 & BFI-Backed 'How To Have Sex'; 'Vampire Academy' & 'Persuasion' Actress Mia McKenna-Bruce Among Cast". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  44. ↑ Ramachandran, Naman (11 December 2023). "'How to Have Sex' Star Mia McKenna-Bruce, Louisa Connolly-Burnham, Michael Fox to Lead Queer Drama 'Sister Wives' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  45. ↑ "The Dumping Ground Survival Files, S2-E2 Challenges". Radio Times. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  46. ↑ "The Dumping Ground: I'm...- Series 1, Tee Credits". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  47. ↑ "Mia McKenna-Bruce on Instagram: Day 1 of rehearsals taking on the role of ENICA in this amazing feature for the next month IM TOO EXCITED #therebelsfilm". 8 February 2017. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  48. ↑ "New BBC Thriller 'Get Even' Looks Seriously Chilling". Tyla . 6 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  49. ↑ Del Rosario, Alexandra (30 August 2021). "'Vampire Academy': Sisi Stringer, Daniela Nieves & Kieron Moore Among 10 Cast In Peacock YA Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  50. ↑ Stearman, Nicki (28 January 2015). "You're the Boss: new game for CBBC's The Dumping Ground". BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  51. ↑ "British Independent Film Awards 2023: the winners in full". BFI. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  52. ↑ "The winners of the European Film Awards 2023". European Film Academy. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  53. ↑ Cline, Rich (4 February 2024). "London critics name The Zone of Interest as Film of the Year". The Critics' Circle. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  54. ↑ "Bafta Awards 2024: The complete list of winners and nominees". BBC News. 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
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