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Bella Maclean

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bella Maclean
Born1997 or 1998 (age 26–27)
Alma materGuildhall School of Music and Drama
Years active2018–present

Bella Maclean (born 1997 or 1998) is a British-American actress. On television, she appeared in the fourth season of the Netflix series Sex Education (2023) and the Disney+ series Rivals (2024). She is also known for her work in theatre.

Early life and education

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Bella Maclean was born in 1997 or 1998[1][2] She spent her early childhood in New York City for her parents' work before returning to England, settling in East Sussex when Maclean was 10.[3] She has twin sisters.[4]

In 2020, Maclean graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting.[5][6][2]

Career

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Stage

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Maclean made her professional stage debut as Martha in the 2021 London revival of Spring Awakening at the Almeida Theatre.[7][2] She returned to the stage in 2024 as London Tide as Bella Wilfer in the National Theatre adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel Our Mutual Friend.[8][4]

Film and television

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In 2023, Maclean made her television debut in two episodes of the BBC One police procedural Silent Witness. She joined the cast of the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education for its fourth and final season as Jem.[9] She also appeared in the short films Dragged Up and La La Means I Love You.[10]

In 2024, Maclean had a main role as Taggie O'Hara in the Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Rivals.[11][12] Her scenes with Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell) were described as "engagingly complex".[13]

Recognition and awards

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Maclean was a finalist in the Josephine Hart Poetry Prize in 2019, when a student at Guildhall.[5] The prize is awarded for reading a poem.[14]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2018 La La Means I Love You Tallulah Short film
2021 Dragged Up Amy Short film
2023 Silent Witness Sara Mendes 2 episodes
2023 Sex Education Jem 6 episodes (season 4)
2024 Rivals Taggie O'Hara Main role

Stage

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Year Title Role Notes
2021 Spring Awakening Martha Almeida Theatre, London
2024 London Tide Bella Wilfer National Theatre, London

References

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  1. ^ Taylor, Mike (20 October 2024). "Rivals' Bella Maclean's life including major Netflix role and real age". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 18 November 2024. The young actress also revealed to the London Standard that she is actually 26, not 23, contrary to reports suggesting she was younger... Bella generally maintains a low-key life with limited updates on social media.
  2. ^ a b c Emily, Olivia (25 October 2024). "Who Is Bella Maclean? Introducing Rivals Taggie". Country and Town House. Retrieved 18 November 2024. Bella Maclean is a 26-year-old British-American actress...
  3. ^ Clark, Nick (3 May 2024). "London Tide's Bella Maclean on making her National debut, Sex Education and starring in Jilly Cooper's Rivals". Evening Standard. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b Hawkins, Laura (20 September 2024). "A Cut Above: Inside Bella Maclean's Stylish Breakout Year". Vogue. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Bella Maclean". Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Bella Maclean". National Theatre. April 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
  7. ^ Wyver, Kate (6 December 2021). "'I cried every day at work – now I am here!' Spring Awakening's fresh cast step on stage". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  8. ^ Akbar, Arifa (18 April 2024). "London Tide review – Dickens and PJ Harvey team up for a melodrama as murky as the Thames". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  9. ^ Cormack, Morgan (18 October 2024). "Meet the cast of Rivals on Disney Plus". Radio Times. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  10. ^ Hall, Daisy (25 September 2023). "Who Is Sex Education's Bella Maclean?". Grazia. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  11. ^ Palmer, Katie (18 October 2024). "Rivals cast in full: Where you've seen stars of Jilly Cooper series before from Poldark to Doctor Who". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  12. ^ Mangan, Lucy (18 October 2024). "Rivals review – even the naked tennis scene is a triumph". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  13. ^ Ewing, Jeff (8 October 2024). "'Rivals' Review: The Ids Are Alright in This Vibrant Showcase of 1980s Lust and Ambition". Collider. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  14. ^ "Guildhall School announces end of year prize winners". Guildhall School of Music & Drama. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
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