Alexandra Mardell is an English actress, known for portraying the role of

Emma Brooker Emma Brooker is a fictional character from the British soap opera ''Coronation Street'', portrayed by Alexandra Mardell. She first appeared on-screen during the episode broadcast on 20 April 2018. Emma's storylines have included short-term rel ...

in the ITV soap opera ''

Coronation Street ''Coronation Street'' (colloquially referred to as ''Corrie'') is a British television soap opera created by ITV Granada, Granada Television and shown on ITV (TV network), ITV since 9 December 1960. The programme centres on a cobbled, terraced ...

''. In 2019, for her portrayal of the role, she won the

British Soap Award for Best Newcomer The British Soap Award for Best Newcomer is an award presented annually by the British Soap Awards. The award is voted for by a panel. ''EastEnders'' is the most awarded soap in the category, with nine wins. ''Emmerdale'' is the only current so ...

, and was nominated for Newcomer at the

National Television Awards The National Television Awards (often shortened to NTAs) is a British television awards ceremony, broadcast by the ITV network and begun in 1995. The National Television Awards are the most prominent ceremony for which the results are voted o ...

Early and personal life

Mardell was born in

Leeds Leeds is a city in West Yorkshire, England. It is the largest settlement in Yorkshire and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds Metropolitan Borough, which is the second most populous district in the United Kingdom. It is built aro ...

. She was born to parents Janet and Michael; her father Michael died in 2016 from

cardiomyopathy Cardiomyopathy is a group of primary diseases of the heart muscle. Early on there may be few or no symptoms. As the disease worsens, shortness of breath, feeling tired, and swelling of the legs may occur, due to the onset of heart failure. A ...

. She attended

Batley Grammar School Batley Grammar School is a state-funded co-educational free school in Batley, West Yorkshire, England, for pupils aged 4 to 16. History The school was founded in 1612 by the Rev. William Lee. An annual founder's day service is held in his ...

. Mardell studied acting at the

Guildford School of Acting Guildford School of Acting (GSA) is a drama school in Guildford, Surrey, England. It is an academic school in the University of Surrey. It is a member of the Federation of Drama Schools. Overview The school is part of the University of Surrey ...

(GSA). While attending GSA, Mardell met fellow actor Joe Parker, with whom she began a relationship in 2017. In April 2021, she announced her engagement to Parker.

Career

In 2017, Mardell made her professional acting debut in an episode of the ITV crime drama series ''

Vera Vera may refer to: Names *Vera (surname), a surname (including a list of people with the name) * Vera (given name), a given name (including a list of people and fictional characters with the name) **Vera (), archbishop of the archdiocese of Tarr ...

''. Later that year, she starred in the short film ''Chocolate Pieces''. In 2018, she was cast in the ITV soap opera ''

'' as series regular

. For her portrayal of the role, she was longlisted for Best Newcomer at the 2018 ''Inside Soap'' Awards, nominated for Newcomer at the

24th National Television Awards The 24th National Television Awards were held at The O2 Arena on 22 January 2019 and were the last to be hosted by Dermot O'Leary. Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer were on backstage duties. On 13 February 2019, O'Leary announced he was leaving the p ...

, and was later awarded the

at the 2019 British Soap Awards. In 2022, she took the title role in

BBC Radio 4 BBC Radio 4 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. The station replaced the BBC Home Service on 30 September 1967 and broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes from the BBC's headquarters at Broadcasti ...

's production of English Rose, about a British vampire taking a job as a nanny in Manhattan. On 30 November 2022, it was announced she would dance with Kai Widdrington for the 2022 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, which she later went on to win.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mardell, Alexandra 1993 births 21st-century English actresses Actresses from Leeds Alumni of the Guildford School of Acting Black British actresses British Soap Award for Best Newcomer winners English film actresses English soap opera actresses English television actresses English voice actresses Living people