April Pearson

Pearson was born and raised in Bristol.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7235356.stm|title=Talking Shop: Skins' April Pearson|last=Allen|first=Liam|website=BBC|date=11 February 2008|access-date=29 July 2020}} She attended Colston's Girls' School in the Montpelier area of Bristol, where in 2007 she was appointed head girl,{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a819737/skins-turns-10-e4-jamie-brittain-bryan-elsley-april-pearson-nicholas-hoult-dev-patel/|title=The origin of Skins, in the words of those who made it: "We had leeway to do whatever the f**k we wanted"|last=Jeffery|first=Morgan|website=Digital Spy|date=25 January 2017|access-date=29 July 2020}} and was a member of the Bristol Old Vic Young Company.{{cite web|url=https://www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk/arts-and-culture/theatre-and-stage/skins-star-tour-case-frightened-lady-703958|title=Skins star on tour in The Case of the Frightened Lady|last=|website=Brighton & Hove Independent|date=22 June 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Both of her parents had previously worked in the television industry, with her father still being involved in the British medical drama series Casualty.{{cite web|url=http://www.movies.ie/interview-with-april-pearsons-for-tormented-and-skins/|title=Interview With April Pearsons For Tormented And Skins|last=Byrne|first=Paul|website=Movies.ie|date=25 May 2009|access-date=1 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.national-student.co.uk/magazine/tv/features/skins_april_pearson.htm|title=Talking Shop: Skins' April Pearson|last=Goodhart|first=Benjie|website=The National Student|date=14 January 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211231552/http://www.national-student.co.uk/magazine/tv/features/skins_april_pearson.htm|access-date=29 July 2020|archive-date=11 February 2007}}

Pearson joined a theatre group, located in Bristol, becoming one of its founding members at three years of age. Throughout her youth, she starred in various plays with both her drama group and whilst at school. At the age of 9, Pearson made her television debut with a minor role in the British medical drama series Casualty in 1998.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatreroyal.org/the-case-of-the-frightened-lady-cast-announcement/|title=The Case of the Frightened Lady Cast Announcement!|last=|website=Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds|date=21 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Pearson was a student at Colston's Girls' School in 2006 when she was cast in the television teenage-drama Skins. Casting director Jane Ripley and Adam Smith travelled to Colston's Girls' School to hold auditions, wherein Ripley asked Pearson whether she wished to audition after watching her drama class.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/skins-10-april-pearson-what-happened-off-camera-1960688|title='Skins' at 10 – actress April Pearson reveals what the teenage cast got up to off camera|last=Flood|first=Alex|website=NME|date=27 January 2017|access-date=29 July 2020}} The programme was a success and ran for seven series, only two of which Pearson appeared in.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-04-02/kiss-me-first-review-skins-meets-ready-player-one/|title=Kiss Me First review: Skins meets Ready Player One|last=Fullerton|first=Huw|website=Radio Times|date=2 April 2018|access-date=4 August 2020}} Her performance was well received; the character was popular, and Pearson garnered widespread attention.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a661657/all-27-stars-of-skins-whatever-happened-to-e4s-teen-tearaways/|title=All 27 stars of Skins: Whatever happened to E4's teen tearaways?|last=Jeffery|first=Morgan|website=Digital Spy|date=4 August 2015|access-date=29 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/15045883.skins-dev-patel-up-for-an-oscar-as-show-celebrates-ten-years-since-first-episode/|title=Skins' Dev Patel up for an Oscar as show celebrates TEN years since first episode|last=|website=The Press|date=25 January 2017|access-date=4 August 2020}} She stated that the amusing nature of simply playing someone who's very different from her in person was what drew her to playing Richardson in Skins.{{cite web|url=http://community.asos.com/post-details/?contentid=9207263219753105152|title=April Pearson Talks To ASOS Today|last=|website=ASOS|date=20 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523094532/http://community.asos.com/post-details/?contentid=9207263219753105152|access-date=3 August 2020|archive-date=23 May 2009}} After the release of the first season, Pearson stated that being recognised was rather strange, though remarked that, "I try to be nice to everyone and hope they keep watching the show."{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a43545/skins-star-april-pearson/|title='Skins' star April Pearson|last=Wilkes|first=Neil|website=Digital Spy|date=17 May 2009|access-date=1 August 2020}} Skins won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Philip Audience Award, and Pearson was nominated for the Golden Nymph Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.{{cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2009/television/philips-audience-award|title=Philips Audience Award in 2009|last=|website=British Academy of Film and Television Arts|date=26 April 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=4281237&sr=1&only=1&hl=adam&tpl=archnews|title=Irish TV Series Travel to Monte Carlo|last=|website=Irish Film & Television Network|date=30 May 2008|access-date=4 August 2020}} Of her time on Skins, Pearson spoke of how she learnt to cope on a set and how to act in the working world, to which she added: "I owe the position I am in now to Skins and I'm so happy and proud that it has done so well."{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2009/0610/417584-pearsona/|title=April Pearson Interview - Tormented, Skins|last=|website=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=10 June 2009|access-date=29 July 2020}}

Pearson briefly appeared as Karen Shevlin an episode of the British medical drama series Casualty.{{cite web|url=https://www.mtv.co.uk/news/yuzmnq/skins-where-are-they-now|title=wtf ever happened to the first generation cast of skins?|last=Wood|first=Lucy|website=MTV|date=28 March 2011|access-date=1 August 2020}} She later made her feature film debut as sadistic schoolgirl Natasha Cummings, in Jon Wright's comedy horror slasher film Tormented (2009).{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/forward-slingshot-start-shooting-uk-school-horror-tormented/4040179.article|title=Forward, Slingshot start shooting UK school horror Tormented|last=Mitchell|first=Wendy|website=Screen International|date=6 August 2008|access-date=1 August 2020}} She reunited with her Skins co-star Larissa Wilson,{{cite web|url=https://impactnottingham.com/2009/02/famous-last-words-april-pearson/|title=Famous Last Words: April Pearson|last=Booth|first=Sam|website=Impact|date=2 February 2009|access-date=1 August 2020}} and starred opposite Alex Pettyfer, Tuppence Middleton and Georgia King.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/entertainment/newsid_7649000/7649427.stm|title=Young actors find life after Skins|last=Geoghegan|first=Kev|website=BBC|date=6 October 2008|access-date=1 August 2020}}

In an interview with The Evening Standard{{'}}s Andy Barker, she stated, "I don't want to pigeon-hole myself this early on. I enjoy every genre."{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/the-cast-of-tormented-leap-to-fame-6752700.html|title=The cast of Tormented leap to fame|last=Barker|first=Andy|website=The Evening Standard|date=21 May 2009|access-date=1 August 2020}}

Later in 2009, Pearson returned to theatre starring in Catherine Johnson's Suspension (2009) at the Bristol Old Vic.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bristol/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_7819000/7819425.stm|title=Mamma Mia writer reveals new play|last=|website=BBC|date=9 January 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bristol/low/people_and_places/newsid_7878000/7878765.stm|title=Suspension: director's diary|last=|website=BBC|date=9 February 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}} Michael Billington wrote, in his review for The Guardian, "You sense a bond of buried affection between James Lailey's guilt-ridden Gerry and [Pearson] as the bridling bride-to-be. In fact, all the performances from director Heather Williams's largely Bristol-based cast are good."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/mar/06/suspension-theatre-review|title=Mamma Mia writer reveals new play|last=Billington|first=Michael|website=The Guardian|date=6 March 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}} Metro described it as "a fantastic success – for Johnson, the cast and crew, for Bristol Old Vic and for Bristol, the star of the show."{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2009/03/05/suspension-is-a-great-success-507404/|title=Suspension is a great success|last=|website=Metro|date=5 March 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}} Paul Callan of The Daily Express wrote: "Down in the hotel Jemma panics with her pre-wedding nerves and the (very pretty) [Pearson] gives us all too recognisable Big Day nerves. She has a fine sense of comic timing and is a perfect foil for the overpowering Anita, her Sherman Tank of a mother."{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/theatre/87893/Suspension-bridges-drama-and-comedy-for-a-masterpiece|title=Suspension bridges drama and comedy for a masterpiece|last=Callan|first=Paul|website=The Daily Express|date=6 March 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}} Additionally, in the autumn, she portrayed kidnapped teenager called Callie in Rachel Sternberg and Jemma Wayne's Negative Space (2009).{{cite web|url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/off-west-end-theatre/news/rachel-sternberg-and-jemma-wayne-on-creating-negat_15921.html|title=Rachel Sternberg & Jemma Wayne On ... Creating Negative Space|last=|website=WhatsOnStage.com|date=14 September 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.times-series.co.uk/leisure/theatre/4592102.for-those-left-behind/|title=For those left behind|last=|website=The Barnet Borough Times|date=10 September 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/show/negative-space-106941/|title=Negative Space|last=|website=Official London Theatre|date=12 October 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}} The Evening Standard spoke highly of Pearson's performance, in which they wrote: "The star, emphatically, is [Pearson], gamine and effulgent as Callie. Pearson is 20, but proves unsettlingly convincing as a girl not much more than half her age."{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/forceful-writing-in-negative-space-7416682.html|title=Forceful writing in Negative Space|last=|website=The Evening Standard|date=22 September 2009|access-date=30 July 2020}} In 2011, Pearson returned to Casualty to star as Grace Fitch,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01409wh|title=Forceful writing in Negative Space|last=|website=BBC|date=20 August 2011|access-date=30 July 2020}} whilst starring in David Allain's short film Will You Marry Me? (2011).{{cite web|url=http://www.collabor8te.com/video/will-you-marry-me-dir-david-allain/|title='Will You Marry Me?' dir. David Allain|last=|website=Collabor8te|date=28 September 2011|access-date=30 July 2020}} In 2012, Pearson co-starred in Jen Moss' dark comedy-drama short film My Brother's Keeper (Or How Not To Survive The Apocalypse), playing the role of Jess, who is looking after her well-meaning but dim-witted brother during a zombie apocalypse.{{cite web|url=https://dailydead.com/viscera-film-festival-lineup-announced/|title=Viscera Film Festival Lineup Announced|last=James|first=Jonathan|website=Daily Dead|date=3 June 2013|access-date=30 July 2020}} Moss would later be awarded the Best Writer and Director Awards at the Viscera Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3265277/cool-short-my-brothers-keeper-asks-what-happens-when-youre-not-quite-apocalypse-material/|title=Cool Short 'My Brother's Keeper' Asks What Happens When You're Not Quite Apocalypse Material|last=Dickson|first=Evan|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=18 November 2013|access-date=30 July 2020}} Of Pearson's performance as Jess, Bloody Disgusting remarked that the dynamic between Alex Esmail and Pearson is both "touching and funny".

She later reunited with Skins co-creator Bryan Elsley in 2013, in which she briefly appeared as Liz in Dates.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a797043/skins-whos-had-the-most-successful-career-we-rank-the-cast-all-27-of-them/|title=Skins: Who's had the most successful post-show career? We rank the cast (all 28 of them)|last=Eames|first=Tom|website=Digital Spy|date=11 March 2017|access-date=31 July 2020}} She also appeared in television programmes Casualty, and Comedy Feeds, before appearing in a minor role in the Giles Foster's television film {{ill|Unknown Heart|fr|De cœur inconnu}} (2014).{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01bhxcc|title=BBC Three - Comedy Feeds (Bamboo)|last=|website=BBC|date=5 May 2014|access-date=1 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03dvc0q|title=The Memory of Water|last=|website=BBC|date=12 October 2013|access-date=1 August 2020}} Pearson also appeared as Gen in Circle of Truth, a short film shot by David Allain which explored some of the challenges that people with multiple sclerosis face when deciding whether or not to disclose their diagnosis to their colleagues.{{cite web|url=http://domleo.com/portfolio/shiftms-circle-of-truth|title=CIRCLE OF TRUTH - Dir: David Allain|last=Domleo|first=Marcus|website=Domleo|date=17 November 2014|access-date=30 July 2020}} The film's inception came about when Shift.ms, a charity and social network for people with Multiple Sclerosis, contacted producer Jess Gormley.{{cite web|url=http://www.collabor8te.com/video/circle-of-truth-dir-david-allain/|title='Circle of Truth' dir. David Allain|last=|website=Collabor8te|date=27 May 2014|access-date=31 July 2020}} Alongside Pearson, Circle of Truth featured Ashley Thomas, Nathan McMullen, Lauren Socha, Simon Day, Justin Edwards, and Nicholas Burns. In April 2014, Pearson co-starred opposite Ben Peel in Greg Zinger's romantic comedy short film The Engagement (2014), which focused on the difficulty of making marital commitment.{{cite web|url=https://pressat.co.uk/releases/ben-peel-and-april-pearson-present-their-new-film-in-london-today-april-14th-at-7pm-2a27bb5cceaf53194fb637e77e92435d/|title=Ben Peel and April Pearson Present Their New Film in London Today April 14th AT 7PM|last=|website=Great Expectations Films|date=14 April 2014|access-date=30 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://gefilms.net/news/guayaquil-international-film-festival-presents-the-engagement/|title=Guayaquil International Film Festival presents The Engagement by Greg Zinger|last=|website=Guayaquil International Film Festival|date=7 August 2015|access-date=30 July 2020}} In her second feature-film, Pearson portrayed Beth Prince, a young woman in search of her happy ever after, in Jamie Patterson's romantic comedy Home for Christmas (2014).{{cite web|url=http://jumpstartproductions.co.uk/portfolio-item/home-for-christmas/|title=Home for Christmas|last=|website=Jump Start Productions|date=17 November 2014|access-date=30 July 2020}} The film was based on Cally Taylor's novel of the same name, and co-starred Lucy Griffiths, Karl Davies, Derren Nesbitt, and Shirley Jaffe.{{cite web|url=https://www.contactmusic.com/film/review/home-for-christmas|title=Home for Christmas Review|last=Cline|first=Rich|website=Contactmusic.com|date=7 November 2014|access-date=30 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://pressat.co.uk/releases/home-for-christmas-4321f81835064e83e65a0372fce52dbf/|title=Home for Christmas Review|last=|website=Jump Start Productions|date=17 November 2014|access-date=30 July 2020}} Later that year, Pearson reunited with David Allain to reprise her role of Gen in short film Working It Out, in which her character interviews other people with multiple sclerosis about their experiences of employment.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwT0dKhtGQM&feature=youtu.be |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/gwT0dKhtGQM |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=Working It Out A Shift.ms film about employment and MS|last=|website=Shift.ms|date=21 Aug 2014|access-date=31 July 2020}}{{cbignore}} The soundtrack was provided by The Maccabees, and Pearson co-stars alongside Gabriel Bisset-Smith and Preeya Kalidas.

In January 2015, she starred in the music video for The Wombats' single, "Greek Tragedy", in which Pearson plays an obsessed Wombats fan.{{cite web|url=https://nbhap.com/blog/the-wombats-greek-tragedy|title=The Wombats unleash new video 'Greek Tragedy'|last=|website=Nothing but Hope and Passion|date=15 January 2015|access-date=30 July 2020}} In the first half of 2015, Pearson played Lexi in Neil Jones's critically panned action film Age of Kill (2015).{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/14/age-of-kill-film-review|title=Age of Kill review – will disappoint the most undiscerning viewer|last=Kermode|first=Mark|website=The Observer|date=14 June 2015|access-date=30 July 2020}} In the same year, Pearson starred in Nick Gillespie's psychological horror film Tank 432 (2015).{{cite web|url=https://fetch.fm/media/uploads/production-notes/2016/06/20/16/02/TANK432-PRODUCTIONNOTES.pdf|title=Production Notes Tank 432|last=|website=Belstone Pictures|date=24 October 2015|access-date=30 July 2020}} Although the film was critically panned, praise was given to its cast.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tank_432|title=Tank 432 - Rotten Tomatoes|last=|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=24 October 2015|access-date=30 July 2020}} Emilie Black of Cinema Crazed praised Pearson's Annabella, whilst writing "It must be noted that it was nice to see a female character not in need of saving, who is just one of the guys, in a film involving a military-style team and tough guys."{{cite web|url=http://cinema-crazed.com/blog/2016/08/09/tank-432-2015-fantasia-international-film-festival-2016/|title=Tank 432 (2015) [Fantasia International Film Festival 2016]|last=Black|first=Emilie|website=Cinema Crazed|date=9 August 2016|access-date=30 July 2020}} Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter acknowledged that "Several talented performers are wasted in the morass."{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/tank-432-952378|title='Tank 432': Film Review|last=Scheck|first=Frank|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=2 December 2016|access-date=30 July 2020}} Ben Robins of The National Student wrote: "Even the cast, a who’s who of largely forgotten-about (but still entirely reliable) British talent, from Rupert Evans to Michael Smiley and Skins’ [Pearson], seemed like a stab in the right direction."{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalstudent.com/Film/2016-08-23/film_review_tank_432.html|title=Film Review: Tank 432|last=Robins|first=Ben|website=The National Student|date=23 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823123720/https://www.thenationalstudent.com/Film/2016-08-23/film_review_tank_432.html|access-date=30 July 2020|archive-date=23 August 2016}} Chuck Wilson wrote, in his review for The Village Voice, "Trapping his cast in a tight space is daring, but Gillespie hasn't given his six good actors, among them Evans and Gordon Kennedy, much to say beyond shouted variations on the word “fuck.”"{{cite web|url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2016/11/23/twisty-trapped-soldier-thriller-tank-432-is-all-questions-no-character/|title=Twisty Trapped-Soldier Thriller 'Tank 432' Is All Questions, No Character|last=Wilson|first=Chuck|website=The Village Voice|date=23 November 2016|access-date=30 July 2020}} In 2015, Pearson returned to theatre to perform on stage in Threesome at the Brighton Fringe, and then the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.{{cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/THREESOME-Returns-to-Brighton-Comedy-Fringe-2015-20151015|title=THREESOME Returns to Brighton Comedy Fringe 2015|last=|website=BroadwayWorld|date=15 October 2015|access-date=31 July 2020}} The production received favourable reviews, with particularly strong praise for Pearson and her co-stars;{{cite web|url=http://www.edfestmag.com/reviews/threesome/|title=Threesome|last=Foulis|first=Donna|website=Edinburgh Festivals Magazine|date=22 August 2015|access-date=31 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ayoungertheatre.com/review-threesome-union-theatre/|title=Review: Threesome, Union Theatre|last=Dickinson|first=Bethany|website=A Younger Theatre|date=10 May 2016|access-date=31 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://broadwaybaby.com/shows/threesome/706451|title=Threesome|last=Close|first=J W|website=Broadway Baby|date=25 August 2015|access-date=31 July 2020}} "Pearson, meanwhile, carries the part of the confident, daring and over-sexed third party to the limits – but successfully so. The dialogue is fast and furious, and with pacy interactions, the three actors together create a thoroughly watchable story".{{cite web|url=https://brighton.fringeguru.com/reviews/brighton-2015/threesome|title=Threesome|last=Land|first=Tig|website=FringeGuru|date=7 May 2015|access-date=31 July 2020}}

In 2016, Pearson starred in Fractured, about a couple whose peaceful getaway weekend goes awry, where she reunited with Home for Christmas{{'}}s Karl Davies and director Jamie Patterson.{{cite web|url=https://www.watershed.co.uk/audio-video/home-for-christmas-qa|title=Home For Christmas Q&A|last=|website=Watershed|date=7 December 2014|access-date=30 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/screens/2017-10-30/other-worlds-goes-into-the-black-hole/|title=Other Worlds Goes Into The Black Hole|last=Whittaker|first=Richard|website=The Austin Chronicle|date=30 October 2017|access-date=30 July 2020}} The cast of Fractured also included Louisa Lytton, Jordan Metcalfe and Calvin Dean.{{cite web|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2018/06/movie-review-fractured-2018/|title=Movie Review – Fractured (2018)|last=Beasley|first=Tom|website=Flickering Myth|date=29 June 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} British horror genre website Love Horror wrote: "Pearson and Davies are well suited to their characters, convincingly performing the loving couple that are being pursued."{{cite web|url=https://lovehorror.co.uk/psychological/fractured-2016-review/|title=Fractured (2016) Review|last=|website=Love Horror|date=22 November 2017|access-date=30 July 2020}} For her work in Fractured, Pearson received the Best Actress Award from the British Horror Film Festival.{{cite web|url= https://www.filmfestivalguild.com/bhff2016|title=BHFF 2016|last=|website=The Film Festival Guild|date=28 October 2017|access-date=31 July 2020}} She also starred as Gemma in Mdhamiri Á Nkemi's short film Cuttings (2016), in which her character returns to her family home after a recent death to discover buried family truths in an uncovered archive of home video.{{cite web|url=https://filmfreeway.com/472575|title=Cuttings|last=Á Nkemi|first=Mdhamiri|website=FilmFreeway|date=6 November 2015|access-date=30 July 2020}}

Pearson reunited with Patterson once again for Caught (2018), in which she plays Mrs. Blair, alongside Cian Barry's Mr. Blair, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/an-interview-goes-horribly-wrong-in-jamie-pattersons-caught-319|title=AN INTERVIEW GOES HORRIBLY WRONG IN JAMIE PATTERSON'S CAUGHT|last=Hamman|first=Cody|website=JoBlo.com|date=13 June 2016|access-date=12 August 2020}} The story follows a journalist couple who invite a man and woman, Mr & Mrs Blair, into their idyllic village home.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefancarpet.com/movie_news/jamie-pattersons-caught-starring-april-pearson-set-opening-night-gala-sci-fi-london-film-festival-april-27/|title=Jamie Patterson's CAUGHT starring April Pearson set to be the Opening Night Gala of the SCI-FI-LONDON FILM FESTIVAL on April 27|last=|website=The Fan Carpet|date=20 April 2017|access-date=30 July 2020}} The film also stars Mickey Sumner, Ruben Crow, Regan Elizabeth Brown, Dave Mounfield and Aaron Davis.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/caught-review-1202738039/|title=Film Review: 'Caught'|last=Harvey|first=Dennis|website=Variety|date=30 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Pearson received critical acclaim by critics for her performance as Mrs. Blair.{{cite web|url=https://acedmagazine.com/caught-maniacally-wicked/|title="Caught" Maniacally Wicked|last=Delia|first=John|website=ACED Magazine|date=9 May 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} William of All Horror spoke most highly of Pearson's performance as Mrs. Blair, with him writing, "[Pearson] deserves some kind of award for her nearly wordless, but not silent performance. She lets the audience know with her eyes and grunts that this skin-suit is barely containing some other life-form that is dying to tear you apart, but cannot until she gets these irritating photographs from the couple."{{cite web|url=https://www.allhorror.com/reviews/caught-2017-review|title=Caught (2017) Review|last=|website=All Horror|date=14 August 2019|access-date=2 August 2020}} Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter also spoke highly of such a thing, in which he stated: "[...] Caught delivers plenty of terrifying moments, thanks to the highly committed performances by the central quartet [...]".{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/caught-1098527|title='Caught': Film Review|last=Scheck|first=Frank|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=30 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Noel Murray of the Los Angeles Times noted praise of the performances, remarking that "Caught hits the usual beats, but with an unusually strong cast and original characters."{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-mini-caught-review-20180329-story.html|title=Review: 'Caught' effectively channels 1970s grindhouse horror|last=Murray|first=Noel|website=Los Angeles Times|date=29 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Jeannette Catsoulis praised the cast, in her review for The New York Times, by stating "As played by [Barry] and [Pearson] [...], the interlopers are a weird, disgusting delight, easily dominating the movie and their ineffectual hosts."{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/arts/caught-review.html|title=Review: In 'Caught,' a Couple Lets the Wrong Ones In|last=Catsoulis|first=Jeannette|website=The New York Times|date=29 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Bobby LePire of Film Threat Bobby LePire wrote, "What cannot be overlooked is the animalistic qualities of Mrs. Blair.", in which he later concludes that "[...] the acting serves the unnerving atmosphere perfectly [...]".{{cite web|url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/caught/|title=CAUGHT|last=LePire|first=Bobby|website=Film Threat|date=30 April 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Brad Miska of Bloody Disgusting acclaimed the performances of Barry and Pearson, with Miska stating, "There's plenty of tension, with the performances by [Barry] and [Pearson] carrying the entire film on their backs, not to mention an escalation of terror [...]".{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3424638/review-caught-alien-home-invasion/|title=INDIE[Review] 'Caught' is an Escalation in Terror|last=Miska|first=Brad|website=Bloody Disgusting|date=1 March 2017|access-date=30 July 2020}} Mike Sprague of JoBlo.com praised Pearson's characterisation, in which he wrote, "[Pearson's] arc throughout the movie is my favorite thing about the piece, and I'm sure it will be yours as well."{{cite web|url=https://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/caught-movie-review-211|title=Caught(Movie Review)|last=Sprague|first=Mike|website=JoBlo.com|date=30 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Film at Lincoln Center described both Barry and Pearson's Mr and Mrs. Blair as being "played perfectly".{{cite web|url=https://www.filmlinc.org/films/caught/|title=Scary Movies X Caught|last=|website=Film at Lincoln Center|date=29 March 2018|access-date=1 August 2020}}

Pearson's next appeared in Corrie Greenop's horror thriller Dark Beacon (2017).{{cite web|url=http://thatfilmthing.com/2018/03/dark-beacon-review/|title=Dark Beacon REVIEW|last=Chapman|first=Matt|website=That Film Thing|date=22 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} She played Amy Wilcock, who loves the married Beth Gadbsy with a fierce and tragic passion.{{cite web|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2017/04/dark-beacon-gets-a-first-poster-and-trailer/|title=Dark Beacon gets a first poster and trailer|last=Cranswick|first=Amie|website=Flickering Myth|date=11 April 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} The resulting performance was positively received; Sol Harris of Starburst concluded, "Pearson and Lynne Anne Rodgers do an admirable job working with the material that they’re given and attempting to carry the vast majority of the film on their own - not to mention child actor, Kendra Mei [...]".{{cite web|url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/dark-beacon|title=DARK BEACON|last=Harris|first=Sol|website=Starburst|date=14 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Jon Dickinson of Scream wrote that, "In a post-Skins appearance, April Pearson is great in the lead role as Amy. She is the voice of reason when things start to get spooky."{{cite web|url=https://www.screamhorrormag.com/dark-beacon-film-review/|title=DARK BEACON: Film Review|last=Dickinson|first=Jon|website=Scream|date=4 April 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} April McIntyre of HeyUGuys praised Pearson by stating, "[Pearson] has emerged from a post-Skins hibernation with a strong and nuanced performance as Amy [...] Matched perfectly with Beth's spiralling psychosis, together they complement each other with an effective balance of wanting, sheer terror and anxiety."{{cite web|url=https://www.heyuguys.com/dark-beacon-review/|title=Dark Beacon Review|last=McIntyre|first=April|website=HeyUGuys|date=23 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} For her work in Dark Beacon, Pearson received the award for Best Actress from American Horror Film Festival and the Upstate NY Horror Film Festival.{{cite web|url=https://www.horrorchannel.co.uk/articles.php?feature=dark+beacon+-+new+poster+and+trailer+released|title=Dark Beacon - New poster and trailer released|last=Whittington|first=James|website=Horror Channel|date=28 February 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}}

The following year, it was announced that Pearson would portray Isla Crane in Edgar Wallace's The Case of the Frightened Lady.{{cite web|url=https://www.bestoftheatre.co.uk/blog/post/casting-case-frightened-lady|title=Star Casting Announced For Edgar Wallace's The Case Of The Frightened Lady|last=|website=Best of Theatre|date=4 December 2017|access-date=30 July 2020}} Response to Pearson's performance in The Case of the Frightened Lady was met with enthusiasm;{{cite web|url=https://www.theatre-news.com/review/UK/2685/Theatre/The-Case-of-the-Frightened-Lady|title=The Case of the Frightened Lady|last=Lenton|first=Matthew|website=Theatre News|date=14 January 2018|access-date=31 July 2020}} Vikki Stephenson of Young Perspective wrote, "[Pearson] proved adept as a terrified Isla (the secretary of the house) [...] These performances result in an ultimately enjoyable and engaging show."{{cite web|url=http://young-perspective.net/case-frightened-lady/|title=The Case of the Frightened Lady|last=Stephenson|first=Vikki|website=Young Perspective|date=28 March 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Alison Brinkworth, writing for Behind The Arras, described her as adding "youthful vibrancy",{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthearras.com/Reviewspr/2018/ReviewsPRjul-sep/the-frightened-lady-M07-18.html|title=The Case of the Frightened Lady|last=Brinkworth|first=Alison|website=Behind The Arras|date=17 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2020}} while Rebecca Lipkin described, in her review for The Arbuturian, Pearson as "charismatic".{{cite web|url=https://www.arbuturian.com/culture/theatre/the-case-of-the-frightened-lady|title=The Case of the Frightened Lady|last=Lipkin|first=Rebecca|website=The Arbuturian|date=19 January 2018|access-date=31 July 2020}} Albeit praise for Pearson's performance, critics highlighted the underwritten characterisation of Pearson's Isla Crane.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/the-case-of-the-frightened-lady-review-at-new-victoria-theatre-woking--distressingly-turgid|title=The Case of the Frightened Lady|last=|website=The Stage|date=4 April 2018|access-date=31 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.southendtheatrescene.com/thecaseofthefrightenedladyreview.html|title=The Case of the Frightened Lady REVIEW|last=|website=Southend Theatre Scene|date=18 June 2018|access-date=31 July 2020}}

She reunited with Skins co-creator Bryan Elsley for the third time, in which she briefly appeared as Polly in Kiss Me First.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-03-29/what-time-is-kiss-me-first-on-tv/|title=What time is Kiss Me First on TV?|last=Fullerton|first=Huw|website=Radio Times|date=29 March 2018|access-date=31 July 2020}} Pearson also starred as Lily in Patterson's critically acclaimed comedy-drama Tucked (2018), the estranged daughter of Derren Nesbitt's Jackie.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/tucked-movie-realease-date-outfest-gravitas-ventures-1202430749/|title=Outfest Pic 'Tucked' Lands Gravitas Ventures Deal Ahead Of Premiere|last=Hipes|first=Patrick|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=20 July 2018|access-date=2 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.shadowsonthewall.co.uk/19/i3.htm|title=Tucked |last=Kline|first=Rich|website=Shadows on the Wall|date=27 March 2019|access-date=31 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/tucked-review-1129643|title='Tucked': Film Review Outfest 2018|last=Farber|first=Stephen|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=24 July 2018|access-date=31 July 2020}} In 2018, Pearson co-wrote and starred in Patterson's independent comedy-drama film Tracked, in which a young couple try to save their failing relationship by interrailing around Europe together.{{cite web|url=http://jumpstartproductions.co.uk/portfolio-item/tracks/|title=Tracks|last=|website=Jump Start Productions|date=17 November 2018|access-date=1 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.romcomfest.com/2019/tracks|title=Tracks - Rom Com Fest|last=|website=Rom Com Fest|date=21 June 2019|access-date=1 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://thejohnfleming.wordpress.com/2019/05/19/jamie-patterson-has-directed-3-movies-since-the-one-released-two-days-ago/|title=Jamie Patterson has directed 3 movies since the one released two days ago|last=Fleming|first=John|website=JohnFleming|date=19 May 2019|access-date=1 August 2020}} The film premiered at the Raindance Film Festival,{{cite web|url=http://festival.raindance.org/films/tracks|title=Tracks World Premiere|last=|website=Raindance Film Festival|date=4 October 2018|access-date=1 August 2020}} wherein Pearson and co-star Chris Willoughby's performances were praised, as well as Edouard Fousset's cinematography.{{cite web|url=https://circleofcinema.com/2018/10/11/review-tracks-2018-an-uproarious-backpack-through-europe-raindance-film-festival-2018/|title=Review: Tracks (2018) – An Uproarious Backpack Through Europe [Raindance Film Festival 2018]|last=Varman|first=Vijay|website=Circle Cinema|date=11 October 2018|access-date=1 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.solzyatthemovies.com/2019/06/21/rom-com-fest-2019-tracks/|title=Rom Com Fest 2019: Tracks|last=Solzman|first=Danielle|website=Solzy at the Movies|date=21 June 2019|access-date=1 August 2020}} In 2020, she also appeared as Katy in supernatural rom-com short film One Year Later, with whom she co-starred alongside starring Simon Weir, Mark Wood, and Rhys-Teare Williams.{{cite web|url=http://ecossefilmmaker.blogspot.com/|title=One Year Later - To the Festivals!|last=Coull|first=Fraser|website=EcosseFilmmaker|date=22 May 2013|access-date=31 July 2020}} She was also amongst the first to sign up for George Webster's British science fiction comedy Star Dogs, wherein she played Cass Rio.{{cite web|url=https://www.myfanbase.de/serien/interviews/?pid=28234|title=STAR DOGS interview with George Webster|last=Oebel|first=Nicole|website=myFanbase|date=28 April 2020|access-date=6 August 2020}} Pearson also appeared as Abi in Matthew Leutwyler and Anton Laines' Disconnected, which was a weekly, experimental drama series shot by the actors and produced remotely, in the United States, India, United Kingdom, and Rwanda, while under countrywide quarantine orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://www.runandfly.co.uk/blogs/news/our-shoot-with-actor-april-pearson|title=Our Shoot With Actor April Pearson|last=Davies|first=Amy|website=Run and Fly|date=28 June 2020|access-date=31 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.moviemaker.com/disconnected-is-a-show-about-the-quarantine-shot-during-the-quarantine/|title=Disconnected Is a Show About the Quarantine — Shot During the Quarantine|last=Molloy|first=Tim|website=Movie Maker|date=10 May 2020|access-date=31 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodnews.com/2020/07/13/talking-disconnected-with-creators-matthew-leutwyler-and-anton-laines/|title=Talking "Disconnected" With Creators Matthew Leutwyler And Anton Laines|last=Magidson|first=Joey|website=Hollywood News|date=13 July 2020|access-date=31 July 2020}} In March 2021, she appeared in an episode of the BBC soap opera Doctors as Chloe Shapley.{{cite news |last1=Timblick |first1=Simon |title=Doctors spoilers: Jimmi Clay makes a SHOCK discovery! |url=https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/events/doctors-spoilers-jimmi-clay-shock-discovery/ |access-date=18 March 2021 |work=What's on TV |publisher=Future plc}}

Pearson stars as Eva in Adam Oldroyd's black comedy directorial debut Sideshow, alongside Anthony Stewart Head, Les Dennis, and Nathan Clarke.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/uk-tv-star-les-dennis-boards-black-comedy-sideshow-exclusive/5135816.article|title=UK TV star Les Dennis boards black comedy 'Sideshow' (exclusive)|last=Grater|first=Tom|website=Screen International|date=15 January 2019|access-date=31 July 2020}} Additionally, she reunited with director Jamie Patterson in the romantic crime film God's Petting You,{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/photos-what-does-the-cast-of-skins-look-like-now#the-actress-has-appeared-in-a-few-projects-since-12|title=THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'Skins' 13 years later|last=Walsh|first=Lara|website=Insider Inc.|date=17 March 2020|access-date=31 July 2020}} and in the psychological thriller The Kindred.{{cite web|url=https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/feature/2019-05-22-interview-with-jamie-patterson-about-tucked-part-two-feature-story-by-jennie-kermode|title=Jamie Patterson on working with Derren Nesbitt, Steve Oram and Jordan Stephens on Tucked|last=Kermode|first=Jennie|website=Eye For Film|date=22 May 2019|access-date=31 July 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3426201/caught-director-haunted-kindred/|title='Caught' Director Haunted By 'The Kindred'|last=Miska|first=Brad|website=Film Threat|date=27 February 2017|access-date=1 August 2020}}

Pearson was involved in Channel 4's "Lost for Words" campaign, a season of campaigning programmes to get children reading, in which she reads aloud from Kasper in the Glitter by Philip Ridley.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/oct/15/advertising.marketingandpr|title=Celeb storytellers promote literacy|last=Sweney|first=Mark|website=The Guardian|date=15 October 2007|access-date=1 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.childrens-stories.net/reading-age/channel-4-lost-for-words.htm|title=Lost for Words: The Burt Test|last=|website=Channel 4|date=15 October 2007|access-date=1 August 2020}} She's an admirer of Spanish cinema and the works of Pedro Almodóvar,{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/cultural-life-april-pearson-actress-1692288.html|title=Cultural Life: April Pearson, actress|last=Cripps|first=Charlotte|website=The Independent|date=29 May 2009|access-date=1 August 2020}} while speaking highly of Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses series. She's based in Brighton.{{cite web|url=https://www.laboratorytc.com/about|title=ABOUT|last=|website=Laboratory Theatre Company|date=15 October 2015|access-date=1 August 2020}} In 2014, Pearson founded the Laboratory Theatre Company with film director Jamie Patterson.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbetta.com/director/april-janet-pearson-2|title=LABORATORY THEATRE COMPANY LTD|last=|website=Cbetta|date=16 December 2014|access-date=1 August 2020}} The Laboratory Theatre is a production company dedicated to blending theatre and film. Pearson began a relationship with Patterson, after they met on the set of the Home for Christmas (2014).{{cite web|url=https://lovehorror.co.uk/interview/fractured-thoughts-from-producer-and-actor-april-pearson/|title=Fractured Thoughts from producer and actor April Pearson|last=|website=Love Horror|date=19 October 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}} Pearson and Patterson were married in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.romcomfest.com/blog/jamie-patterson|title=DIRECTOR Q&A — JAMIE PATTERSON|last=Berke|first=Miraya|website=Rom Com Fest|date=11 October 2019|access-date=30 July 2020}} Since 2020, Pearson has hosted a casual celebrity interview-based podcast called Are you Michelle from Skins?;{{cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/07/25/eastenders-spoilers-heartbreaking-miscarriage-storyline-planned-ruby-allen-13037252/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Heartbreaking miscarriage storyline planned for Ruby Allen?|last=Griffin|first=Louise|website=Metro|date=25 July 2020|access-date=1 August 2020}} the first episode being recorded on 6 July and broadcast on Instagram.{{cite web|url=https://skins.hypnoweb.net/skins/news.133.1/are-you-michelle-from-skins-le-nouveau-projet-d-april-1747.html|title=Are you Michelle from Skins? : le nouveau projet d'April|last=|website=Skins Hypnoweb|date=4 July 2020|access-date=3 August 2020}} She listed her idols as including Bernadette Peters, Nicole Kidman, Julie Walters, and Judi Dench.{{Cite web|url=https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM87BBQxs/|title = April Pearson on TikTok}} On 8 December 2021, Pearson announced she was pregnant with her first child.{{cite web|url=https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/skins-april-pearson-pregnancy-announcement-25667926|title=Skins star April Pearson announces pregnancy news after heartbreaking miscarriage|last=Shackleton|first=Niamh|website=OK!|date=10 December 2021|access-date=10 March 2022}}

She resides in Brighton.

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{{Reflist}}

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• {{IMDb name|1535380}}
• {{Twitter|_aprilpearson|April Pearson}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070211231552/http://www.national-student.co.uk/magazine/tv/features/skins_april_pearson.htm The National Student interview with Pearson]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pearson, April}}

Category:1989 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century English actresses

Category:21st-century English actresses

Category:English child actresses

Category:English film actresses

Category:English radio actresses

Category:English stage actresses

Category:English television actresses

Category:Actresses from Brighton

Category:English voice actresses

Category:Actresses from Bristol

Category:People educated at Montpelier High School, Bristol