Rachel Bright

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This article is about the British actress. For the British children's book writer, see Rachel Bright (author).

Rachel Bright
Born
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England
EducationBirmingham School of Acting
OccupationActress
TelevisionEastEnders
Partner(s)Jonno Davies

Rachel Bright is an English actress, known for portraying the role of Poppy Meadow in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Career[]

Bright was introduced as Poppy Meadow on the BBC soap opera EastEnders in two episodes on 11 and 13 January 2011, in scenes which were substituted for scenes cut from the controversial baby swap storyline, in which Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack)'s son James, dies of sudden infant death syndrome and she secretly swaps him with Kat Moon (Jessie Wallace)'s son, Tommy.[1][2] A spokeswoman for EastEnders confirmed that the scenes had been edited following viewers' strong response to the story, but said that no complete scenes were removed: "Given the audience response to this storyline, we felt on this occasion that it was appropriate to respond and make some changes. The vast majority of material remains intact and we don't believe that those trims we have made will weaken or detract from the overall storyline for viewers."[3]

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Bright stated that her first scene was her favourite throughout her tenure, as "all [she] could think was, 'I'm sitting on a bench in the Square!'".[4][5] Kylie Babbington, who played Jodie Gold, revealed in May 2011 that Poppy would be returning and would have comical scenes.[6] Bright made her return on 30 June 2011.[7] Poppy and Jodie were reportedly used to add humour to the soap, in the style of reality-drama series The Only Way is Essex. On 24 October 2011, it was announced that the pair were to leave the show;[8] they made their final appearance on 14 November 2011.[9][10] According to an EastEnders spokesperson, there is potential for Poppy to appear again in the future.[8] In an interview with Inside Soap, EastEnders executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said of a possible return, "We may see Poppy pop up as I'm a big fan of Rachel Bright and the character, but Kylie is keen to pursue other roles."[11] Bright rejoined the cast of EastEnders, appearing on-screen from 12 June 2012 until she left the soap again on 30 January 2014.[12]

Bright appears as Anna in the 2012 UK feature film Life Just Is. From 2016 to 2017, Bright filmed the lead role of Jessica Slade in the British feature film King of Crime, alongside real-life partner Jonno Davies. The film was released in October 2018.[13]

In 2021, Bright and Davies both appeared together in an episode of Holby City playing Beth Miller and Leo Powell respectively.[14]

Having had their wedding postponed three times due to coronavirus restrictions, Bright and Davies married at the fourth attempt at The Groucho Club in London on 10 July 2021.

Filmography[]

Year Title Role Notes
2008 American Dream Molly Short film
2008 Sell Out Girl Short film
2008 Paintbrush Marisa Short film
2008 Canbury Rachael Short film
2010 Sometimes the Moon Is Velvet Hettie Short film
2010 Red Balloon Julie Film
2010 Silly Billy Kelly Short film
2010 Scrabble Rachel Short film
2011 No Escape Short film
2011–2014 EastEnders Poppy Meadow Series regular
2012 Eradicate Daughter Short film
2012 Life Just Is Anna Film
2012 Doctors Tara Pendall Episode: "Children of the Night"
2013 Don't Move Anna Short film
2015 Morning After Katie Short film
2015 Doctors Lisa Cartwright Episode: "Blind Spot"
2017 Tiebreaker Sara Short film
2018 Urban Myths Christine Whitehead Episode: "The Sex Pistols Vs. Bill Grundy"
2018 King of Crime Jessica Slade Film
2018 Frontline to Russia Kerry Miniseries
2020 Bone Breaker Emily Film
2020 The Beast Will Rise Monologue Webseries
2021 Holby City Beth Miller Guest role

Stage[]

  • Polly in Electronica (Red Hedgehog, 2008)
  • The Girl in Bus Stop Kisser (Camden Peoples Theatre, 2014)
  • Lucy in Dracula (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2014)
  • Julia Simmons in A Murder Is Announced (Nationwide Tour, 2015–2016)

References[]

  1. ^ Jennie Darnell (director), Carey Andrews (writer) (11 January 2011). "Episode dated 11/01/2011". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  2. ^ Jennie Darnell (director), Carey Andrews (writer) (13 January 2011). "Episode dated 13/01/2011". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  3. ^ Daniels, Colin (16 January 2011). "BBC explains 'EastEnders' scene changes". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  4. ^ Stewart, Tony (12 November 2011). "Rachel Bright, who plays Poppy, on life in EastEnders". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  5. ^ Stewart, Tony (12–18 November 2011). "Girls on the run". We Love Telly: 16.
  6. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (12 May 2011). "'EastEnders' star: 'Jodie has reasons to stay'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi UK. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  7. ^ Terry Dyddgen-Jones (director), Jeff Povey (writer) (30 June 2011). "Episode dated 30/06/2011". EastEnders. BBC. BBC One.
  8. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (24 October 2011). "'EastEnders' duo Jodie, Poppy to leave Walford". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  9. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (14 November 2011). "Phil's past comes back to haunt him". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 8 November 2011.
  10. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (6 November 2011). "Corrie clash, 'Enders exits, E'dale hotel shock, 'Oaks arrival". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  11. ^ "Secrets of the Square". Inside Soap (46): 42. 19–25 November 2011.
  12. ^ Klompus, Jack (24 September 2013). "'EastEnders' axes four stars: AJ, Poppy, Carl and Kirsty to leave soap". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  13. ^ "King of Crime released".
  14. ^ "Tuesday main channels". Radio Times. (Immediate Media Company) (26): 78. 26 June – 2 July 2021.

External links[]

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