Maisie Smith
{{Short description|English actress, singer (born 2001)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2020}}
{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Maisie Smith
| image = Maisie Smith 2019 BSAs.jpg
| caption = Smith in 2019
| birth_name = Maisie Louise Collender Smith
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|2001|07|09}}
| birth_place = Westcliff, Essex, England
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|singer}}
| yearsactive = 2006–present
| television = EastEnders
Strictly Come Dancing
| partner = Max George (2022–present)
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
Maisie Louise Collender Smith{{cite web|title=Smith's full name is noted in her Instagram bio|url=https://www.instagram.com/maisiesmithofficial/|date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409122844/https://www.instagram.com/maisiesmithofficial/|archive-date=9 April 2018}} (born 9 July 2001){{cite tweet|user=ShonaBM|number=884160620781817856|author=McGarty, Shona|date=9 July 2017|title=Happy Birthday little sis. maisie_smith_ I can't believe your 16! Hope you had a wonderful day. Love you loads from me and RYAN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180606103245/https://twitter.com/ShonaBM/status/884160620781817856|archive-date= 6 June 2018}} is an English actress and singer. She appeared in the feature film The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and played the regular role of Tiffany Butcher in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2008 to 2014. In November 2016, Smith temporarily returned to EastEnders for a guest stint, before making a full-time return in January 2018. In October 2021 it was announced that she would once again be leaving EastEnders and her final scenes aired in December of that year; she made a one-off appearance in March 2022 to aid the departure of Keegan Baker (Zack Morris).{{Cite tweet |number=1446547189598097408 |user=bbceastenders |title=Today was a sad day on the set of #EastEnders as we said goodbye to the amazing @maisie_smith_ , who finished filming her final scene as the iconic Tiffany Butcher-Baker. But we couldn't let her go without a small surprise and a proper Walford farewell – take a look here.}} In 2020, she competed in the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing alongside partner Gorka Marquez, reaching the final but losing out to Bill Bailey.
Career
Smith attended the Singer Stage School in Leigh-on-Sea for 18 months,{{cite news|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/local/display.var.2188732.0.the_new_eastenders.php|title=The new EastEnders|publisher=Echo (Basildon)|date=11 April 2008|access-date=18 March 2002}} and in 2006, she was cast in the film The Other Boleyn Girl as a young Elizabeth I; the film was released in February 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.killermovies.com/o/theotherboleyngirl/articles/6341.html|title=Scarlett Johansson Set As 'The Other Boleyn Girl'|website=www.killermovies.com}}[http://www.sandrasinger.com/Who's%20Working/whosworking.html "Who's Working"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223182945/http://www.sandrasinger.com/Who's%20Working/whosworking.html |date=23 December 2007 }}, Sandra Singer Associates. URL. Retrieved 19 March 2008. She then went on to portray the role of Tiffany Dean in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Smith made her first appearance on the soap on 1 April 2008, at age six, as the daughter of Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer). Her mother stated "The role is an exaggeration of her own personality, she's a little madam. A lively character both on and off screen. The difference is, she's told to pronounce her t's at home! She is not star-struck at all and has her feet very firmly on the ground. She is an extremely confident child and a great actress." Smith's father said, "She gets recognised quite a lot when we go out as a family. It's funny when you see people nudge each other and you can hear them saying, ‘Is that the girl off EastEnders?’"{{cite news|url=http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/3995934.Now_little_Maisie_grabs_limelight_on_telly_soap/|title=Now little Maisie grabs limelight on telly soap|publisher=Echo (Basildon)|date=23 December 2008|access-date=1 October 2013}}
A few months after her casting, Smith said that she was loving being on EastEnders, telling the Echo (Essex) "I love being on EastEnders. I really get on with Patsy who plays my mum. She looks after me so well. It's like I'm her real daughter some days. Everyone is really nice. Pam St Clement, who plays Pat Butcher, is also really lovely to me. I’m glad I get to be cheeky and say some funny lines. I would never want to be a goody goody. It's strange people point at me in the street now and ask if I’m the girl from EastEnders. All my friends think it's great I’m on television. I think I will want to be an actress forever now."
Digital Spy's Kris Green said Smith is "brilliant" and "one...to watch", comparing her to Ellis Hollins, the award-winning child actor who plays Tom Cunningham in the Channel 4 teen soap opera Hollyoaks.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a92558/the-jackson-five-i-want-you-back.html|title=The Jackson Five: I Want You Back|work=Digital Spy|date=29 March 2008|access-date=29 March 2008}} She has also been praised by stage school teacher Sandra Singer, who said, "Maisie has the most incredible memory and when it comes to script work she is fantastic. It is often very difficult for a six-year-old to act, but she handles it really well and adores it."
In 2010, Smith was asked to appear on CITV's Bookaboo, and read the story Stinky by Ian Whybrow. Smith told CITV "You have to be quiet in libraries which is really hard for me as I'm very loud. I would probably come last in a 'who can stay quiet the longest' competition!"{{cite web|url=http://lookedon.com/bookaboolucy/photos/5931145/eastenders-maisie-smith-shares-a-book-with-bookaboo-039stinky039-by-ian-whybrow-and-lynne-chapman-lynnepencil-pub-by-meadowside-ukwalker-in-aus-citv-uk-abc2-aus.html|title=Maisie Smith Bookaboo|last=Goodman|first=Lucy|access-date=30 November 2014}} In 2011, Smith was interviewed by The Stage magazine where she talked about her role in EastEnders. Smith said, "Sudden fame can be tricky when you are just out having fun and people keep wanting to take your photo, but the EastEnders people are very supportive and have said that we can politely say no in situations where we feel uncomfortable. I am very glad that my break came with EastEnders, as they are like a family who look after you. Working on the show has given me the chance to learn so much from the actors, especially those who are in my TV family. There are lots of things you can only learn from actually working on a set. The stage school I attend –also Singer Stage School – prepares you really well, but it is so different when you are actually there on set being filmed."{{Cite news |url=http://www.sandrasinger.com/pdf/Maisie_and_Bobby_Dear_John_2011.pdf |title=As a young performer in a high-profile role, how can I balance the increased attention with developing my craft? |last=Byrne |first=John |date=9 June 2011 |work=The Stage |access-date=6 June 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422070813/http://www.sandrasinger.com/pdf/Maisie_and_Bobby_Dear_John_2011.pdf |archive-date=22 April 2012 }}
In October 2016, it was announced Smith would be releasing her first single, "Good Thing".{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/news/a810200/former-eastenders-star-maisie-smith-tiffany-is-releasing-a-single/|title=Exclusive: Former EastEnders star Maisie Smith is releasing a single – and you can listen to it here|work=Digital Spy|last=Dainty|first=Sophie|date=12 October 2016|access-date=12 October 2016}} Smith shot a music video accompanying the song at the Belt Craft studios and the song and video was uploaded to Smith's YouTube channel in November 2016.{{YouTube|g1iQZguhvtQ|Maisie Smith – Good Thing}} Smith released her second single, "Where My Heart Is", in March 2017. Smith said a lot of her songs were about herself, so she "wanted to write a song that inspired others" and she hopes "that got across" and that it "manages to inspire those who listen".{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/17/maisie-smith-on-her-new-single-inspiring-young-people-and-whether-shell-return-to-eastenders-6516853/|title=Maisie Smith on her new single, inspiring young people and whether she'll return to EastEnders|work=Metro|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=17 March 2017|access-date=20 March 2017}} On 3 November 2016, Smith made a previously unannounced temporary return to EastEnders. Smith returned full-time in January 2018.{{cite news|url=http://metro.co.uk/2017/11/23/eastenders-spoilers-maisie-smith-returns-as-tiffany-butcher-and-brings-trouble-to-whitney-carter-7102908/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Maisie Smith returns as Tiffany Butcher and brings trouble to Whitney Carter|work=Metro|last=Lindsay|first=Duncan|date=23 November 2017|access-date=24 November 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-11-23/tiffany-butcher-returns-to-eastenders/ |title=Tiffany Butcher returns to EastEnders |last=Brown |first=David |date=23 November 2017 |access-date=23 November 2017}}
In September 2020, it was announced that she would be competing in the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing.{{Cite tweet|number=1301467100242944000|user=bbcpress|author=BBC Press Office|date=3 September 2020|title=Actress and singer, @Maisie_Smith_ is the tenth celebrity contestant confirmed for #Strictly Come Dancing 2020}} She was partnered with Gorka Márquez.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/strictlys-maisie-gorka-stun-fans-22901152.amp|title=Strictly's Maisie and Gorka stun fans with incredible sexy samba|work=Daily Mirror|date=24 October 2020}} In December 2020, they finished in second place alongside Hrvy & Janette Manrara and Jamie Laing & Karen Hauer, after losing out to Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse.
In May 2022, it was announced Smith would be making her musical theatre debut in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical, playing Fran.
In October 2022, Smith was one of four finalists who completed series 4 of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/celebrity-sas-who-dares-wins-2022-winners-newsupdate/|title=Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins 2022 reveals winners|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=17 October 2022}}
In April 2024, Smith was cast as Beth, the Parson's Wife in Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds for the 2025 The Spirit of Man tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/going-out/tickets/max-george-maisie-smith-war-of-worlds-newsupdate/|title=Strictly star couple Max George and Maisie Smith cast in The War of the Worlds UK tour|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=15 April 2024}}
Personal life
Smith lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, with her parents and sister. Smith attended Belfairs Academy in Leigh-on-Sea and the Sandra Singer Stage School.{{Cite news |url=http://www.sandrasinger.com/pdf/Maisie_and_Bobby_Dear_John_2011.pdf |title=As a young performer in a high-profile role, how can I balance the increased attention with developing my craft? |last=Byrne |first=John |date=9 June 2011 |work=The Stage |access-date=6 June 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422070813/http://www.sandrasinger.com/pdf/Maisie_and_Bobby_Dear_John_2011.pdf |archive-date=22 April 2012 }} Smith attended South Essex College, where she studied musical theatre.{{cite web|title=South Essex College facebook| website=Facebook |url=https://m.facebook.com/southessexcollege/photos/a.399298100024/10157328858835025/?type=3|date=22 October 2020}} {{As of|2022|September}}, she is in a relationship with singer Max George.{{cite web | url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a41094504/strictly-come-dancing-maisie-smith-max-george-kissing-picture/ | title=Strictly stars Maisie Smith and Max George in kissing selfie | website=Digital Spy | date=6 September 2022 }}
Awards and nominations
Filmography
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2008
| Young Elizabeth | Film |
| 2008–2014, 2016, 2018–2022
| Series regular |
| 2010
| EastEnders: Last Tango in Walford | Tiffany Butcher | Straight-to-DVD |
| 2015
| Released from Fear: A Restorative Justice Story | Lauren | Short film |
; Stage
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2022
| Strictly Ballroom: The Musical | Fran | Churchill Theatre, Bromley / tour |
; As herself
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Notes |
|---|
| 2008
| EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca | Special |
| 2009–2014, 2018–2019
| Award winner and nominee |
| 2009
| EastEnders special |
| 2010
| EastEnders Live: The Aftermath | Documentary |
| 2011
| Bookaboo | Guest star |
| 2011
| Guest star for EastEnders |
| 2011
| Episode: "Whitney's Story" |
| 2016
| 1 episode |
| 2020 |
| 2020
| Contestant; series 18 |
| 2022
|Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins |Contestant; series 4 |
| 2023
| Contestant; Series 13 Episode 7{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-9k8mz3/the-chase-celebrity-special-season-13/|title=The Chase Celebrity Special|website=radiotimes.com|accessdate=24 May 2023}} |
Discography
=Extended plays=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="width:10em;" |Title ! scope="col" style="width:16em;" |Details |
| scope="row" |Where My Heart Is
|
|
|---|
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Director(s) |
|---|
| scope="row" | "Good Thing"
| 2016 | rowspan=2|Mark Potter |
| scope="row" | "Where My Heart Is"
| 2017 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name}}
- {{Twitter}}
- {{Instagram}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Maisie}}
Category:English child actresses
Category:English child singers
Category:English musical theatre actresses
Category:English soap opera actresses
Category:English stage actresses
Category:People from Westcliff-on-Sea
Category:21st-century English women singers
Category:21st-century English singers