Born in Sunderland, but her formative years were spent in the coastal town of Peterlee, where she received her education at Peterlee Comprehensive. At the tender age of 14, she joined the local drama group, a decision that would ultimately set her on the path to stardom. Her involvement with the group led to a coveted role in the popular children's television series "Quest of Eagles", marking her debut on the small screen. Additionally, she appeared in a string of television commercials, including a notable advertisement for "Mates" condoms, where she played the part of a shop assistant, and another for Carlsberg Lager.
As she approached her 17th birthday, she took a bold step by auditioning for three prestigious drama schools. Despite her efforts, she was met with rejection from all three institutions. However, she chose not to disclose her impressive credentials, which included being a member of the National Youth Theatre and having already appeared on television. Instead, she opted to keep her talents under wraps, revealing her true identity only after gaining the necessary experience and skills.
At the age of 18, she made the bold decision to relocate to London, with the intention of pursuing a degree in art. However, after a year, her passion for acting proved too strong to ignore, and she invested in acting lessons to hone her craft. Throughout her career, she has spoken publicly about only being affected by nerves on two occasions: when she was taking her driving test and when she was nominated for a prestigious BAFTA Award.
In addition to her acting work, she has also ventured into directing, with a notable short film titled "Speed", which focuses on the lives of car thieves and was produced in collaboration with Tyne Tees Television.
