Claudia Jessie

Claudia Jessie
Jessie in 2024
Born
Claudia Jessie Peyton[1]

(1989-10-30) 30 October 1989[2][3]
OccupationActress
Years active2012–present

Claudia Jessie Peyton (born 30 October 1989), known professionally as Claudia Jessie, is a British actress. She is best known for her role as Eloise Bridgerton in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton (2020–present). She previously appeared in third series of the BBC One police procedural WPC 56 (2015), series 4 of Line of Duty (2017), the Dave sitcom Porters (2017–2019) and the ITV miniseries Vanity Fair (2018).

Early life

Claudia Jessie Peyton was born in Moseley,[4] and grew up on a canal boat.[3] She spent some of her childhood on a council estate in North London[5] and was homeschooled from the age of 14 before returning to Birmingham when she was 17. Her family struggled financially; Jessie described the experiences that came with it, such as bailiffs coming to the door, as traumatic.[3] In addition, her parents split and her father was not around. Her single mother, Dawn, worked cleaning houses to provide for her and her brother.[6][7]

Jessie's mother also worked to afford her ballet lessons at the Challis School of Dance. She was subsequently discovered by student director Hannah Phillips who cast her in several amateur productions.[8] Jessie trained part-time at the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School and spent a year studying with the Birmingham Library Theatre Company.[9] She then signed with an agent in 2012.[4]

Career

2012–2016: Early work

Jessie's first professional acting role was in a short film titled Rosie in 2012. She followed this with appearances in the soap operas Doctors and Casualty.[10] She appeared in an episode of House of Anubis[11] and reprised her role as Sophie Danae in the television film Touchstone of Ra.

Between 2014 and 2016, Jessie starred in the BAFTA-winning CBBC Online web series Dixi as Shari.[12] In 2015, she was cast as WPC Annie Taylor, the lead character in the third series of the BBC One television programme WPC 56.[4][13] She was a guest in Josh, playing the protagonist's love interest. Jessie acted in the 2014 short film Copy That directed by Kingsley Hoskins which won the Best Comedic Short Film award at TSFA in New York.[14] Jessie made her feature film debut as Doris in the 2016 war film Their Finest.

2017–present: Rising popularity and breakthrough

In 2017, she starred as DC Jodie Taylor in series four of Line of Duty on BBC One and Lucy in the Dave sitcom Porters, the latter of which she would return to for its second series. The following year, she played Amelia Sedley in the ITV miniseries adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's Vanity Fair.[15][16] She also made a guest appearance in the Doctor Who episode "Kerblam!" in 2018.[17]

In 2020, Jessie began playing Eloise, the fifth Bridgerton child, in the Shondaland-produced Netflix period drama Bridgerton, an adaptation of the Regency romance novels by Julia Quinn.[18] Jessie appeared in Bali 2002 for Stan and 9Network, an Australian drama about the real life 2002 Bali bombings. Jessie portrayed real-life survivor Polly Miller, a newlywed British tourist.[19] For her performance, Jessie was nominated for the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actress. In 2023, Jessie narrated the audiobook The Rebound by Leeanne Slade for Audible Original. It was voted as one of Audible's best books of 2023.[20] In 2025, she played the main role of Maggie Mahon in the Netflix series Toxic Town.[21]

Personal life

Jessie is a vegan and meditates for at least an hour a day. Her aunt introduced her to Nichiren Buddhism, and Jessie has regularly practised it since she was 17 for her mental health.[8][22] She has spoken of her experiences with panic attacks and anxiety since childhood, as well as depersonalisation disorder.[3]

Jessie is a member of the climate activist group Extinction Rebellion and considers herself a fan of George Monbiot.[23][1] She does not use social media.[24]

Filmography

Key
Denotes projects that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role Note Ref.
2012 Rosie Rosie Short films [25]
2014 Copy That Beth [26]
2016 Their Finest Doris Cleavely / Lily Starling Also a song performer for "They Can't Black Out the Moon" with Stephanie Hyam and Rachel Portman [27]
2020 Night and Day Freya Short films [28]
2024 Booty Jane [29]
TBA Wegwerf Young Joyce

Television

Year Title Role Note Ref.
2012–2014 Doctors Poppy Conroy / Kate Marshall 13 episodes [30]
2013 House of Anubis Sophia Danae Recurring role; 2 episodes [31]
The Paradise Mrs. Douglas Episode: "Episode #2.8" [32]
Casualty Jenny Anover Episode: "Crush Syndrome" [33]
Anubis Unlocked Herself Episode: "The Touchstone of Ra"
2014–2016 Dixi Shari Main role; 100 episodes [34][35]
2015 WPC 56 WPC Annie Taylor Series regular; 5 episodes [36]
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Mary Miniseries; 4 episodes [37]
Josh Lucy Episode: "Suited and Booted" [38]
Bull Faye Miniseries; 3 episodes [13]
2016 Call the Midwife Jeanette Su Episode: "Episode #5.3" [39]
2017 Father Brown Joan Vanderlande Episode: "The Labyrinth of the Minotaur" [40]
Carters Get Rich Charity Worker Episode: "Bad Press" [41]
Line of Duty Detective Constable Jodie Taylor 6 episodes (season 4) [42]
Detectorists Doctor Hoffman Episode: "Episode #3.2" [43]
Comedy Blaps Danielle Episode: "Furious Andrew" [44]
2017–2019 Porters Lucy Series regular; 9 episodes [45]
2018 Lovesick Tasha Episode: "Tasha" [46]
Vanity Fair Amelia Sedley Miniseries; 7 episodes [47]
Doctor Who Kira Arlo Episode: "Kerblam!" [48]
2018–2019 Defending the Guilty Nessa Recurring role; 5 episodes [49]
2018–2022 Sunday Brunch Herself 2 episodes
2018–2023 The One Show 4 episodes
2019 BBC Midlands Today 2 episodes
2020–2026 Bridgerton Eloise Bridgerton Main role; 32 episodes [50]
2021 SAG Foundation Conversations Herself Episode: "Cast Q&A for 'Bridgerton'"
2022 Bali 2002 Polly Miller Miniseries; 4 episodes [51]
Tudum: A Netflix Global Fan Event Herself TV special
2022–2026 Entertainment Tonight 3 episodes
2024 InStyle: YouTube Channel Episode: "'Bridgerton' Cast Answers Fan Mail"
IMDb Originals Episode: "Does the "Bridgerton" Cast Know Their Own Lines?"
Good Morning America Episode: "Stray Kids/Prue Leith/Paul Hollywood/"
ELLE: YouTube Channel Episode: "Knowing Me, Knowing You: Luke Newton and Claudia Jessie Talk 'Bridgerton', Accents & More"
Bustle: YouTube Channel Episode: "Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie & Luke Thompson Test How Well They Know Each Other"
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Episode: "David Letterman/Claudia Jessie/Norah Jones"
Royal Television Society: YouTube Channel Episode: "Claudia Jessie, Hannah Dodd and Jessica Madsen Talk FOBI Over FOMO and Francesca's Debut"
Texting with theSkimm Episode: "Texting with Claudia Jessie"
Vanity Fair: YouTube Channel Episode: "A Day on the Set of Bridgerton's Season 3 Finale"
2025 Toxic Town Maggie Mahon Miniseries; 4 episodes [52]
Somebody Feed Phil Herself 2 episodes
2026 IMDb Interviews Episode: ""Bridgerton" Season 4"
2026-present Up to No Good Hannah Main role [53]

Music videos

Year Title Role Note
2024 Ed Sheeran: Under the Tree Anna Main role

Audiobooks

Year Title Role Note Ref.
2017 Tolkien in Love Edith Radio 4 Drama [54]
2023 The Rebound Kitty Harris Audible Originals [55]
2025 The Waitress Narrator [56]
This Christmas Kitty Harris [57]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Bridgerton Nominated [58]
2025 Nominated [59]
2023 Logie Awards Most Outstanding Actress Bali 2002 Nominated [60]

References

  1. ^ a b Hogan, Michael (20 March 2022). "Claudia Jessie: 'What's the appeal of Bridgerton? It's a sexy cuddle'". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie & Luke Thompson test how well they know each other". Bustle. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ a b c d Basham, Megan (19 September 2018). "Vanity Fair's Claudia Jessie: I never want anything to do with that corset again". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Laws, Roz (14 November 2014). "Birmingham actress Claudia Jessie is the new WPC 56 in 1950s police drama". Birmingham Mail. Reach. Archived from the original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  5. ^ Moore, Sam (14 April 2024). "'I did all the things an actor shouldn't': Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie on class, big breaks – and houseboats". The Guardian. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  6. ^ Gibb, Bill (2 September 2018). "My success is down to the dedication of amazing mum, says Vanity Fair star Claudia Jessie". The Sunday Post. Archived from the original on 8 January 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  7. ^ Gibb, Bill (2 September 2018). "Actress Claudia Jessie will savour her biggest acting moment tonight as she stars in ITV's latest period blockbuster Vanity Fair". sundaypost.com. DC Thomson Publishing – The Sunday Post. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Vanity Fair's Claudia Jessie: 'Buddhism has helped me to go for what I want'". You. 26 August 2018. Archived from the original on 25 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  9. ^ "Claudia Jessie". Spotlight. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  10. ^ Laws, Roz (9 April 2017). "Meet the Brummie actress at the heart of BBC1's Line of Duty". Birmingham Mail. Reach. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Nickelodeon announces House of Anubis special, Touchstone of Ra". vimn.com. Viacom Paramount Media. Archived from the original on 12 July 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  12. ^ Barraclough, Leo (24 November 2014). "Warner Bros. 'Lego Movie' Takes BAFTA Kids' Award". variety.com. Variety Media. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  13. ^ a b "Claudia Jessie - Biography". DAA Management. 6 February 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Copy That". vimeo.com. Vimeo, Inc. Archived from the original on 18 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  15. ^ "Porters: Claudia Jessie Interview". British Comedy Guide. 18 September 2017. Archived from the original on 11 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  16. ^ "Chasing the wind". world.wng.org. WORLD News Group. Archived from the original on 16 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  17. ^ Potts, Lianne (18 November 2018). "Doctor Who: 'Kerblam!' – Who is Claudia Jessie?". blgtorwho.com. DT Forum Ltd. Archived from the original on 17 February 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2019.
  18. ^ "The 'Bridgerton' Cast Questionnaire: Claudia Jessie Elaborates on Eloise Bridgerton". Shondaland. 25 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  19. ^ Quinn, Karl (3 March 2022). "Bali bombing series underway starring Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie". Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 18 March 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Audible Best Audiobooks of 2023". audible.co.uk. Audible.
  21. ^ Seale, Jack (27 February 2025). "Toxic Town review – Jodie Whittaker is obviously award-worthy in this bittersweet tale". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  22. ^ Studarus, Laura (14 January 2021). "Claudia Jessie on Buddhism, Yoga, and The Art of Looking Out Windows". Shondaland. Archived from the original on 3 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  23. ^ Mussen, Maddy (15 March 2023). "Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie on corsets, class and activism: 'Eloise would be in Extinction Rebellion in 2023'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  24. ^ Holder, Shantel (13 May 2024). "Bridgerton's Claudia Jessie Likes Life At A Low Simmer". Sporkful. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  25. ^ Ariola, Taddy. "Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton) in Rosie (2012)". YouTube. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  26. ^ Ariola, Taddy. "Claudia Jessie (Eloise Bridgerton) in Copy That (Award-winning 2014 Short Film)". YouTube. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  27. ^ Barker, Andrew (11 September 2016). "Toronto Film Review: 'Their Finest'". Variety. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  28. ^ "Night and Day". Beverly Hills Film Festival. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  29. ^ "Booty + Q&A (world premiere)". Flatpack Film Festival. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  30. ^ "Host Family". BBC. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  31. ^ "Nickelodeon UK To Premiere Brand New "House Of Anubis" Special, "The Touchstone Of Ra", On Friday 14th June 2013 At 5pm". NickALive!. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  32. ^ "Episode 8". BBC. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  33. ^ "Crush Syndrome". BBC. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  34. ^ "CBBC creates online comedy drama about internet dangers". British Comedy Guide. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  35. ^ "CBBC creates online comedy drama about internet dangers". British Comedy Guide. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  36. ^ Young, Graham (11 March 2015). "BBC1's WPC 56: All you need to know about the new series filmed in and around Birmingham". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  37. ^ "Jonathan Strange And Mr Norrell TV review: magic in the UK". SciFiNow. 29 June 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  38. ^ "Series 1, Episode 6 - Suited & Booted". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  39. ^ "Episode 3". BBC. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  40. ^ "The Labyrinth of the Minotaur". BBC. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  41. ^ "Carters Get Rich - Bad Press". Apple TV. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  42. ^ Boyden, Sophie (15 April 2021). "Eloise from Bridgerton is in Line Of Duty and OMG". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  43. ^ "Episode 2". BBC. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  44. ^ "Furious Andrew". Apple TV. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  45. ^ Laws, Roz (26 July 2017). "First look at Claudia Jessie in new hospital sitcom Porters". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  46. ^ "7. Tasha". ITVX. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  47. ^ Gibb, Bill (2 September 2018). "My success is down to the dedication of amazing mum, says Vanity Fair star Claudia Jessie". The Sunday Post. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  48. ^ Power, Ed (3 January 2019). "Doctor Who review, Kerblam! – Jodie Whittaker's seventh outing is perfectly judged". The Independent. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  49. ^ Richardson, Jay (30 March 2021). "Defending The Guilty's second series cancelled because of coronavirus". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  50. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (10 July 2019). "Phoebe Dynevor & Regé-Jean Page To Headline Shondaland's 'Bridgerton' At Netflix; 10 Others Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  51. ^ Lyall, Amy (22 September 2022). "'God this is horrific': Claudia Jessie on the scenes that had her in tears while filming the Stan Original Series Bali 2002". Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  52. ^ Cormack, Morgan (8 March 2025). "Without the women of Toxic Town, Corby's shocking true scandal would have remained buried". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  53. ^ Goldbart, Max (11 February 2026). "'Bridgerton' Star Claudia Jessie Lands Role As Suspicious Detective Investigating Glenn Close's Maud In Channel 4's 'Up To No Good'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
  54. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Drama, Sean Grundy - Tolkien in Love". Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  55. ^ "Audible acquires two books from debut romance author Slade". Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  56. ^ "The Waitress by K. L. Slater". Audible Original. 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  57. ^ "This Christmas by Leeanne Slade". Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  58. ^ Oganesyan, Natalie; Moreau, Jordan (4 February 2021). "2021 SAG Awards: The Complete Nominations List". Variety. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  59. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards | Screen Actors Guild Awards". www.sagawards.org. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  60. ^ Perry, Kevin (19 June 2023). "ABC, FOXTEL and STAN lead the pack in 2023 LOGIE NOMINATIONS". TV Blackbox. Retrieved 11 February 2026.