Esther Smith is an English actress best known for her work in the television series Uncle, Cuckoo and Trying. She is also known for originating the role of Delphi Diggory in the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Esther Smith
Born (1986-09-28) 28 September 1986 (age 38)[1]
OccupationActress
Years active2010–present

Early life

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Smith was raised in Stourbridge, West Midlands. Her parents are teachers, and she has a sister, Rachel.[2][3] Smith began dancing when she was three and was active in her local pantomime company.[3][4] She studied ballet and contemporary dance at King Edward VI College in Stourbridge, where she began acting, before moving to the Guildford School of Acting at the urging of a teacher.[2][5]

Career

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Shortly after leaving drama school, Smith rose to prominence in 2010 for her role as Trish in Material Girl.[3] She has since had guest appearances on Skins and The Midnight Beast.

In 2014, she replaced Tamla Kari as Rachel for the second series of Cuckoo on BBC Three.[2] She also starred in the ITV2 comedy Cockroaches and had a recurring role on another BBC Three sitcom, Uncle, as Melodie.[5][6]

In April 2015, Smith starred in Channel 4 show Ballot Monkeys, as assistant to the Liberal Democrats candidate.[7] In February 2016, she appeared in Siblings as Holly, an old flame of Dan's from Circus School.

She was part of the original cast of Harry Potter play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, portraying Delphi Diggory. In October 2017 she appeared in Parliament Square as Kat at the Royal Exchange, Manchester.

In May 2020, Smith began appearing in Apple TV+ original Trying in the lead role of Nikki. Season 2 premiered on 21 May 2021. Season 3 premiered on 22 July 2022.

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2010 Material Girl Trish Main role
2013 Skins Emma 2 episodes
2013 Holby City Roxanne Gregson Episode: "All at Sea"
2014–2017 Uncle Melodie 10 episodes
2014 The Midnight Beast Ronnie 4 episodes
2014 The Smoke Mother 1 episode
2014–2019 Cuckoo Rachel Main role (27 episodes); replaced Tamla Kari
2014 Black Mirror Madge Episode: "White Christmas"
2015 Cockroaches Suze
2015 Ballot Monkeys Charlotte Guthrie
2016 Zapped Gwendolyn Episode: "Barrel"
2016 Siblings Holly Episode: "Baby Sack"
2019 Defending the Guilty Hannah 1 Episode
2020–present Trying Nikki Newman Main role
2021 Dodo Mom Mrs Connoly 11 Episodes

Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2015 Funny Valentines: Elephant (Nick Helm) "Her" Short film (BBC iPlayer)
2017 New Year Alice Short film
2017 Confection Ms. Kripps Short film
2018 F*ck Sarah Short film

Theatre credits

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Year Title Role Theatre Notes
2009 The Author Esther Royal Court Theatre
2010 Romeo and Juliet Juliet Capulet Mosaica @ The Chocolate Factory
2010 The Author Esther North Wall Arts Centre
Northern Stage
Warwick Arts Centre
Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Royal Exchange
Un­known Limbs (Present Tense) Woman Nabokov Theatre
2011 Many Moons Juniper Jessops Theatre503
Un­known Carrot Michelle Theatre503
Un­known When it Falls Gillian Soho Theatre
2012 The Honey Man Misty Guildhall Theatre
Terry O'Toole Theatre
Kirkgate Centre
2012 NSFW Charlotte Royal Court Theatre
2016–2017 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Delphi Diggory Palace Theatre
2017–2018 Parliament Square Kat Royal Exchange
Bush Theatre

References

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  1. ^ "37 🎈". Instagram. 28 September 2023. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Laws, Roz (4 August 2014). "Esther goes Cuckoo with Twilight star Taylor Lautner". Birmingham Mail. Reach plc. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  3. ^ a b c Holder, Bev (9 February 2010). "Stourbridge actress strikes a pose in new fashion drama". Dudley News. Newsquest Ltd. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  4. ^ Falconer, Daniel (11 August 2014). "Esther Smith exclusive interview – Cuckoo, Taylor Lautner's dropped towel & more". Female First. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Cockroaches Interview with Daniel Lawrence Taylor and Esther Smith". Student Rag. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  6. ^ Dessau, Bruce (9 February 2015). "TV Review, Uncle, Series 2, BBC3". Beyond The Joke. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  7. ^ Shennan, Paddy (24 April 2015). "Election 2015: New sitcom is making monkeys out of politicians". Liverpool Echo. Reach plc. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
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