:Jessica Plummer

{{infobox person

| name = Jessica Plummer

| birth_name = Jessica Kate Plummer

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|09|16|df=yes}}

| birth_place = London, England

| image = Jessica Plummer 2019.jpg

| caption = Plummer in 2019

| alma_mater = Identity School of Acting

| years_active = 2012–present

| occupation = {{hlist|Singer||rapper|actress}}

| partner =

| children = 1

}}

Jessica Kate Plummer (born 16 September 1992) is an English actress and singer. From 2013 to 2015, she was a member of the British girl group Neon Jungle, with whom she released an album that peaked at number eight on the UK Albums Chart. She is also known for her roles as Chantelle Atkins in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2019–2020) and as Emma in the BBC drama series The Girl Before (2021) for which she was nominated for a British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Aside from her singing and acting career, Plummer has also ventured into reality television; she appeared in the twentieth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here in 2020.

Early life and education

Jessica Kate Plummer was born on 16 September 1992 in London to a Jamaican father and an English mother.{{cite web|title=50 Red Hot Neon Jungle Facts!|url=http://www.thehitsradio.com/music/features/50-sizzling-hot-neon-jungle-facts/|website=thehits|access-date=4 January 2016|archive-date=5 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305063501/http://www.thehitsradio.com/music/features/50-sizzling-hot-neon-jungle-facts/|url-status=live}}

She went to Burntwood School{{cite web |title=Who is I'm a Celebrity star Jessica Plummer? Age, daughter, exit |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a34668099/jessica-plummer-eastenders-im-a-celebrity/ |website=Digital Spy |access-date=7 October 2022 |date=15 November 2020}} and the Hayes School for secondary education.{{cite news|last1=Palmer|first1=Jim|title=Neon Jungle star and ex-Hayes School pupil Jess Plummer talks Valentine's Day, festivals and the Fresh Prince|url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/leisure/latest/10986242.Neon_Jungle_star_and_ex_Hayes_School_pupil_Jess_Plummer_talks_Valentine_s_Day__festivals_and_the_Fresh_Prince/|access-date=4 January 2016|work=News Shopper|date=4 February 2014|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190107/http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/leisure/latest/10986242.Neon_Jungle_star_and_ex_Hayes_School_pupil_Jess_Plummer_talks_Valentine_s_Day__festivals_and_the_Fresh_Prince/|url-status=live}}

Career

In November 2012, music manager David Cooper began a three-month process of auditions for a new girl group to be signed to RCA Records UK. Plummer, as well as Amira McCarthy, were separately scouted while shopping in London, while Shereen Cutkelvin and Asami Zdrenka were found via their solo YouTube videos. In February 2013, it was announced that Plummer, alongside Cutkelvin, McCarthy, and Zdrenka made the line-up of new British girl group Neon Jungle.{{cite web|url=http://loudmag.co.uk/news/60-exclusive-interview-neon-jungle|title=Exclusive Interview – Neon Jungle|publisher=loudmag.co.uk|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=6 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206085316/http://loudmag.co.uk/news/60-exclusive-interview-neon-jungle|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/2014/06/music-film-tv/music/neon-jungle-interview/|title=Neon Jungle Interview|date=2 June 2014|publisher=thestudentpocketguide.co.uk|access-date=31 December 2015|archive-date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710161611/http://www.thestudentpocketguide.com/2014/06/music-film-tv/music/neon-jungle-interview/|url-status=live}} They chose the name Neon Jungle, which was derived from their song "Welcome to the Jungle", to reflect that the members were "all individual and quite different".{{cite web|url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a510860/neon-jungle-interview-were-shocked-people-like-us.html|title = Neon Jungle interview: 'We're shocked people like us'|work = Digital Spy|date = 30 August 2013|last = Corner|first = Lewis|access-date = 31 December 2015|archive-date = 24 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135626/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/interviews/a510860/neon-jungle-interview-were-shocked-people-like-us.html|url-status = live}} According to Plummer, "it's like neon is bold, bright, strong individual characters and then the jungle part is the madness".{{cite web|url = http://www.planetnotion.com/2013/06/25/introducing-neon-jungle/|title = Planet Notion " Introducing: Neon Jungle|website = planetnotion.com|publisher = Attic London Ltd.|date = 25 June 2013|first = Seb|last = Law|access-date = 31 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170923050819/http://www.planetnotion.com/2013/06/25/introducing-neon-jungle/|archive-date = 23 September 2017|url-status = dead}} In July 2013, Neon Jungle released their debut single "Trouble", which entered the UK Singles Chart at number 12 and reached the top 10 on the US Billboard Dance/Electronic Digital Songs chart.{{cite magazine|url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/5847714/donna-summer-returns-macarthur-park-to-top-of-dance-chart-after-35|title = Donna Summer Returns 'MacArthur Park' To Top of Dance Chart After 35 Years|magazine = Billboard|publisher = Nielsen Inc.|date = 19 December 2013|access-date = 24 March 2014|last = Murray|first = Gordon|archive-date = 19 February 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140219191238/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/code/5847714/donna-summer-returns-macarthur-park-to-top-of-dance-chart-after-35|url-status = live}}

In October 2013, Plummer, with Neon Jungle, supported Jessie J on select dates of her Alive Tour. The following month, the group performed at the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.{{cite web|url = http://www.metroradio.co.uk/music/news/neon-jungle-to-join-jessie-j-on-uk-arena-dates/|title = Neon Jungle Join Jessie J on UK Arena Dates!|publisher = metroradio.co.uk|date = 14 October 2013|access-date = 31 December 2015|archive-date = 22 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222090058/http://www.metroradio.co.uk/music/news/neon-jungle-to-join-jessie-j-on-uk-arena-dates/|url-status = live}}{{cite web|url = http://www.idolator.com/7493543/victorias-secret-fashion-show-taylor-swift-neon-jungle|title = What To Expect From The 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (From Someone Who Was There)|website = idolator.com|date = 14 November 2013|last = Lansky|first = Sam|publisher = SpinMedia|access-date = 31 December 2015|archive-date = 24 March 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210324122348/https://www.idolator.com/7493543/victorias-secret-fashion-show-taylor-swift-neon-jungle|url-status = dead}} Also in October 2013, Plummer made her television debut in British science fantasy television series Wizards vs Aliens as Chloe Martin.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2491332/epcast Episodes cast for "Wizards and Aliens"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314192448/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2491332/epcast |date=14 March 2016 }}. Internet Movie Database. {{retrieved|accessdate=1 January 2016}} She portrayed the role for two episodes. In November 2013, Neon Jungle's second single, "Braveheart", was released in the UK. The song peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart and at number 19 on the ARIA charts. On 28 July 2014, Neon Jungle released their debut album Welcome to the Jungle, which entered the UK Albums Chart at number eight.{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/30544/neon-jungle/|title=NEON JUNGLE {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|website=www.officialcharts.com|access-date=2019-03-05|archive-date=6 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406183050/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/30544/neon-jungle/|url-status=live}} The album also entered the ARIA charts, debuting at number 48. On 6 July 2015, Neon Jungle announced via their Facebook page that they were disbanding.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6620160/neon-jungle-breakup-girl-group-split|title=Neon Jungle Breaks Up: U.K. Girl Group Splits After One Album|magazine=Billboard|access-date=10 October 2015|archive-date=11 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011083532/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/6620160/neon-jungle-breakup-girl-group-split|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/neon-jungle-have-split-up-this-is-a-heartbreaking-reality__9980/|title=Neon Jungle have split up: "This is a heartbreaking reality"|website=www.officialcharts.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-05|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044249/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/neon-jungle-have-split-up-this-is-a-heartbreaking-reality__9980/|url-status=live}}

In November 2015, it was announced that Plummer has joined the cast of John Cameron Mitchell's directed romantic-comedy film How to Talk to Girls at Parties opposite Ruth Wilson, Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning and Matt Lucas.{{cite news|last1=Jaafar|first1=Ali|title=Jessica Plummer Joins Cast Of 'How To Talk To Girls at Parties' Opposite Nicole Kidman – AFM|url=https://deadline.com/2015/11/jessica-plummer-joins-cast-of-how-to-talk-to-girls-at-parties-opposite-nicole-kidman-afm-1201604549/|access-date=4 January 2016|work=Deadline|date=3 November 2015|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128151830/http://deadline.com/2015/11/jessica-plummer-joins-cast-of-how-to-talk-to-girls-at-parties-opposite-nicole-kidman-afm-1201604549/|url-status=live}} It premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival in May 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/actualites/articles/the-2017-official-selection |title=The 2017 Official Selection |work=Cannes |date=13 April 2017 |access-date=13 April 2017 |archive-date=14 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414052115/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/actualites/articles/the-2017-official-selection |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/04/cannes-2017-lineup-list-film-festival-schedule-1201804813/ |title=2017 Cannes Film Festival Announces Lineup: Todd Haynes, Sofia Coppola, 'Twin Peaks' and More |work=IndieWire |date=13 April 2017 |access-date=13 April 2017 |archive-date=5 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505135615/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/04/cannes-2017-lineup-list-film-festival-schedule-1201804813/ |url-status=live }} In March 2019, Plummer joined the BBC soap opera EastEnders, portraying the role of Chantelle Atkins.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a26652493/eastenders-cast-chantelle-baker-jessica-kate-plummer-neon-jungle/|title=EastEnders casts former Neon Jungle singer as Chantelle Baker|last=Warner|first=Sam|date=2019-03-05|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-03-10|archive-date=5 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305211551/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a26652493/eastenders-cast-chantelle-baker-jessica-kate-plummer-neon-jungle/|url-status=live}} While on the soap, her character was involved in a high-profile domestic abuse storyline, with her on-screen husband Gray Atkins (Toby-Alexander Smith) abusing Chantelle. In September 2020, it was announced that as part of the storyline, Gray would murder Chantelle, in order to reflect the mortality rates displayed in abusive relationships and highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic violence.{{Cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a33935165/eastenders-chantelle-atkins-domestic-abuse-storyline-tragic-ending/|title=EastEnders' domestic abuse storyline for Chantelle ends in tragedy as she is killed by husband Gray|work=Digital Spy|date=6 September 2020|last=Hegarty|first=Tasha|access-date=7 September 2020|archive-date=6 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906222324/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a33935165/eastenders-chantelle-atkins-domestic-abuse-storyline-tragic-ending/|url-status=live}} She made her last appearance in an episode broadcast on 22 September 2020.

In November 2020, Plummer began competing in the twentieth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here. She became the sixth celebrity to be eliminated alongside Russell Watson on 1 December 2020.{{cite web|last=Chase|first=Stephanie|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a34838668/im-a-celebrity-2020-double-elimination-itv/|title=I'm a Celebrity reveals fifth and sixth campmates to leave the castle in another double elimination|work=Digital Spy|date=1 December 2020|access-date=2 December 2020|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201222043/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a34838668/im-a-celebrity-2020-double-elimination-itv/|url-status=live}} Plummer starred as Emma in the 2021 miniseries The Girl Before, which earned her nominations for the British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress and for Drama Performance at the 27th National Television Awards.{{cite web|last=Kanter|first=Jake|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/the-girl-before-jessica-plummer-hbo-max-bbc-1234715669/|title='The Girl Before': 'EastEnders' Actress Jessica Plummer Joins HBO Max-BBC Series|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=16 March 2021|access-date=13 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313113940/https://deadline.com/2021/03/the-girl-before-jessica-plummer-hbo-max-bbc-1234715669/|archive-date=13 March 2022|url-status=live}}

Personal life

In July 2016, Plummer gave birth to a daughter.{{cite magazine |last=Crick |first=Clair |url=https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/jessica-plummer-things-you-didnt-know-634639/ |title=Jessica Plummer – things you didn't know about the I'm A Celebrity star |magazine=What's on TV |date=12 November 2020|access-date=26 November 2020|archive-date=22 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122224341/https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/jessica-plummer-things-you-didnt-know-634639/ |url-status=dead}}

Filmography

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes
rowspan="2" \| 2013 \| Wizards vs Aliens \| Chloe Martin \| 2 episodes
Reflections \| Kaitlin \| Short film
2017 \| How to Talk to Girls at Parties \| Celia \| Film
2019–2020 \| EastEnders \| Chantelle Atkins \| Series regular; 127 episodes
rowspan="2" \| 2020 \| EastEnders: Secrets from the Square \| rowspan="2" \| Herself \| Episode: "Karen, Chantelle and Gray"
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! \| Series 20 contestant
2021 \| The Girl Before \| Emma Matthews \| Main role
2023 \| The After \| Amanda \| Short film; main role
2024 \|The Decameron \|Filomena \|TV series
2025 \| Missing You \| Stacey Embalo \| TV series; main role

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! Notes

rowspan="2" | 2013

| Wizards vs Aliens

| Chloe Martin

| 2 episodes

Reflections

| Kaitlin

| Short film

2017

| How to Talk to Girls at Parties

| Celia

| Film

2019–2020

| EastEnders

| Chantelle Atkins

| Series regular; 127 episodes

rowspan="2" | 2020

| EastEnders: Secrets from the Square

| rowspan="2" | Herself

| Episode: "Karen, Chantelle and Gray"

I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

| Series 20 contestant

2021

| The Girl Before

| Emma Matthews

| Main role

2023

| The After

| Amanda

| Short film; main role

2024

|The Decameron

|Filomena

|TV series

2025

| Missing You

| Stacey Embalo

| TV series; main role

Awards and nominations

class="wikitable sortable"

! Year

! Award

! Category

! Work

! Result

! scope=col class=unsortable | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

2019

| TV Choice Awards

| Best Soap Newcomer

| EastEnders

| {{nom}}

| align="center" | {{cite web|url=http://xd.wayin.com/display/container/dc/6ae984d9-721c-4609-9bd7-eae43a8ef937|title=TVCA Long List 2019|work=TV Choice|access-date=31 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530235302/https://display.engagesciences.com/display/container/dc/6ae984d9-721c-4609-9bd7-eae43a8ef937|archive-date=30 May 2019|url-status=dead}}

2019

| Inside Soap Awards

| Best Newcomer

| EastEnders

| {{shortlisted}}

| align="center" | {{cite web|last=Harp|first=Justin|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29311351/inside-soap-awards-2019-full-nominations-shortlist/|title=Inside Soap Awards 2019 full shortlist revealed – which stars are up for prizes?|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|date=30 September 2019|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=16 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116060328/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a29311351/inside-soap-awards-2019-full-nominations-shortlist/|url-status=live}}

2019

| I Talk Telly Awards

| Best Soap Newcomer

| EastEnders

| {{nom}}

| align="center" | {{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Elliot |title=I TALK TELLY AWARDS 2019 Nominees |url=https://www.italktelly.com/post/i-talk-telly-awards-2019-nominees |work=I Talk Telly |date=2 November 2019}}

2019

| Digital Spy Reader Awards

| Best Soap Newcomer

| EastEnders

| {{draw|Second}}

| align="center" | {{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Abby|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a30292467/reader-awards-soaps-winners-2019/|title=It's (nearly) a clean sweep for Hollyoaks in the Digital Spy Reader Awards for soaps 2019|work=Digital Spy|date=28 December 2019|access-date=7 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107021230/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a30292467/reader-awards-soaps-winners-2019/|archive-date=7 January 2020|url-status=live}}

2020

| TV Choice Awards

| Best Soap Actress

| EastEnders

| {{nom}}

| align="center" | {{Cite news|url=https://heatworld.com/entertainment/tv-movies/tv-choice-awards-nominations-list/|title=TV Choice Awards 2020 nominations revealed|work=Heat|access-date=22 November 2020|archive-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117221542/https://heatworld.com/amp/entertainment/tv-movies/tv-choice-awards-nominations-list/|url-status=live}}

2020

| I Talk Telly Awards

| Best Soap Partnership (shared with Toby-Alexander Smith)

| EastEnders

| {{nom}}

| align="center" | {{cite news |last1=Gonzalez |first1=Elliot |title=I TALK TELLY AWARDS 2020 Nominees |url=https://www.italktelly.com/post/i-talk-telly-awards-2020-nominees |work=I Talk Telly |date=8 November 2020}}

2020

| Inside Soap Awards

| Best Actress

| EastEnders

| {{won}}

| align="center" | {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55056344|title=EastEnders wins big at Inside Soap Awards|work=BBC News|date=24 November 2020|access-date=24 November 2020|archive-date=24 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124103254/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55056344|url-status=live}}

2020

| Digital Spy Reader Awards

| Best Soap Female Actor

| EastEnders

| {{won}}

| align="center" | {{cite web|last=Robinson|first=Abby|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a34859013/reader-awards-soaps-winners-2020/|title=EastEnders triumphs at Digital Spy Reader Awards 2020|work=Digital Spy|date=25 December 2020|access-date=29 December 2020|archive-date=29 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229174747/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/a34859013/reader-awards-soaps-winners-2020/|url-status=live}}

2022

| British Academy Television Awards

| Best Supporting Actress

| The Girl Before

| {{nom}}

| align="center" | {{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/mar/30/bafta-tv-awards-2022-full-list-of-nominations|title=Bafta TV awards 2022: full list of nominations|work=The Guardian|date=30 March 2022|access-date=30 March 2022}}

2022

| 27th National Television Awards

| Drama Performance

| The Girl Before

| {{nom}}

| align="center" | {{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Lauren |title=NTA 2022 longlist revealed as David Tennant and Sex Education nominated |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/ntas-2022-longlist/ |access-date=23 May 2022 |work=Radio Times |date=24 May 2022}}

2022

| National Film Awards UK

| Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series

| The Girl Before

| {{nom}}

| align="center" | {{cite web|url=https://www.nationalfilmawards.org/nominees-for-the-8th-annual-national-film-awards-2022-announced/|title=Nominees for the 8th annual National Film Awards 2022 announced|publisher=National Film Academy|date=22 April 2022|access-date=1 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501185003/https://www.nationalfilmawards.org/nominees-for-the-8th-annual-national-film-awards-2022-announced/|archive-date=1 May 2024|url-status=live}}