Matilda Freeman

Matilda Freeman was born in 2004.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Stephen |title=Film role for Queen's School pupil Matilda |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/film-role-queens-school-pupil-12189143 |website=Cheshire Live |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=8 June 2025 |date=18 November 2016}} She is from Mickle Trafford in Cheshire West and Chester. For her education, Freeman attended The Queen's School, Chester.

In 2015, Freeman had a leading role in a short film and directed a short trailer with her schoolfriends for the Chester Performs Film Festival. In 2016, Freeman portrayed the role of Esther in the ITV2's sitcom television pilot Dropperz{{cite web |title=Dropperz |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/dropperz/cast_crew/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=8 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608220743/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/dropperz/cast_crew/ |archive-date=8 June 2025}} and later that year she filmed scenes for the feature film The Last Boy, which was released in 2019.{{cite web |title=The Last Boy |url=https://tv.apple.com/au/movie/the-last-boy/umc.cmc.61ued7d2dkcframjf4icpezfb |website=Apple TV |publisher=Apple Inc. |access-date=8 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204133520/https://tv.apple.com/au/movie/the-last-boy/umc.cmc.61ued7d2dkcframjf4icpezfb|archive-date=4 December 2024}} Freeman commented that she felt lucky to have had received acting roles at a young age, adding, "I love how you can just lose yourself in another character for a while. You have to be really patient with filming as there are lots of takes but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and meeting so many interesting people who have done so much in their lives". Freeman has appeared in various commercials for companies such as Aldi and Vodafone. Freeman acted in various short filmed including Lifeline, Limbo, Strain and The Chime of Youth.{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Chris |title=Lifeline short film |url=https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/post/lifeline-short-film-1 |website=UK film review |publisher=Olson Digital Marketing |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118233555/https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/post/lifeline-short-film-1 |archive-date=18 January 2025 |date=10 November 2016}}{{cite web |last1=Baska |first1=Maggie |title=Coronation Street star Matilda Freeman comes out as bisexual in the most low-key way |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/06/04/matilda-freeman-coronation-street-coming-out-bisexual-pride-month/ |website=PinkNews |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609040731/https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/06/04/matilda-freeman-coronation-street-coming-out-bisexual-pride-month/ |archive-date=9 June 2025 |date=4 June 2021}} In 2017, Freeman appeared in an episode of Doctors as Chantelle Briggs.

From 2017 to 2020, Freeman portrayed Summer Spellman on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.{{cite web |last1=Hallam |first1=Katy |last2=Hall |first2=Tasha |title=ITV Coronation Street star unrecognisable years after leaving soap in new role |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/tv/itv-coronation-street-star-unrecognisable-32473273 |website=Daily Record |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609014921/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/tv/itv-coronation-street-star-unrecognisable-32473273|archive-date=9 June 2025 |date=29 March 2024}} She appeared in 147 episodes and her first appearance aired in June 2017.{{cite web |last1=Sansome |first1=Jessica |title=Why has Coronation Street replaced Summer? Fans baffled as youngster returns to soap with 'new head' |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/coronation-street-replaced-summer-fans-19321485 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609022443/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/coronation-street-replaced-summer-fans-19321485 |archive-date=9 June 2025 |date=21 November 2020}} Freeman's character was introduced as the new adoptive daughter of established characters Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley) and Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) – becoming the first same-sex couple to raise a child in the soap opera – after the death of her father Drew Spellman (Tom Goodwin) and she was involved in a storyline where she collapsed after taking drugs.{{cite magazine |title=You are my sunshine! |magazine=TV Times |date=22–28 July 2017 |pages=8–9}}{{cite web |last1=Hegarty |first1=Tasha |title=Coronation Street producer confirms Todd and Billy will become parents to Summer |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a829360/coronation-street-producer-confirms-todd-billy-become-parents-to-summer/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216063904/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a829360/coronation-street-producer-confirms-todd-billy-become-parents-to-summer/ |archive-date=16 February 2025 |date=27 May 2017}}{{cite web |last1=Jakes |first1=Aimee |title=Coronation Street Spoilers: Summer Spellman to collapse after smoking drug 'Spice' |url=https://closeronline.co.uk/entertainment/soaps/coronation-street-spoilers-summer-spellman-collapse-smoking-drug-pice/ |website=Closer Online |publisher=Bauer Media Group |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210094313/https://closeronline.co.uk/entertainment/soaps/coronation-street-spoilers-summer-spellman-collapse-smoking-drug-pice/ |archive-date=10 February 2025|date=24 September 2017}}{{cite web |title=Who plays Summer Spellman in Coronation Street and how old is she? |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/coronation-street/who-plays-summer-spellman-how-old/ |website=Heart |publisher=Global Media & Entertainment |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124101603/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/coronation-street/who-plays-summer-spellman-how-old/ |archive-date=24 January 2025 |date=15 June 2021}} When she joined the soap, she felt nervous but found working there "fun" and praised her colleagues for being very nice. Freeman enjoyed working with Langley and Brocklebank and has said that she likes to do a mixture of funny and emotional scenes, thought she believed that her "speciality" was crying. Whilst on the soap, Freeman became friends with her co-star Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow), who Freeman opined had been the most welcoming.{{cite magazine |title=Flower power! |magazine=Inside Soap |date=12–18 August 2017 |issue=32 |page=17}}{{cite magazine |title='I've never been up for an award before!' |magazine=Inside Soap |date=23–29 September 2017 |issue=38 |pages=50–51}} For her role as Summer, Freeman was longlisted{{cite web |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |title=Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks all make the Inside Soap Awards longlist |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a836154/inside-soap-awards-longlist-coronation-street-eastenders-emmerdale-hollyoaks/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250601065515/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a836154/inside-soap-awards-longlist-coronation-street-eastenders-emmerdale-hollyoaks/ |archive-date=1 June 2025 |date=22 August 2017}} and later shortlisted for "Best Young Actor" at the 2017 Inside Soap Awards.{{cite web |last1=de Lucia |first1=Carmella |title=Coronation Street actress from Chester is nominated for national soap award |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/coronation-street-actress-chester-nominated-13683228 |website=Cheshire Live |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701045913/https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/coronation-street-actress-chester-nominated-13683228|archive-date=1 July 2019 |date=28 September 2017}}{{cite magazine |title=Cast your vote in the Inside Soap Awards 2017 |magazine=Inside Soap |date=26 August – 1 September 2017 |issue=34 |pages=49–52}}{{cite web |last1=Donaldson |first1=Laura |title=Inside Soap Awards 2017: Full shortlist revealed as EastEnders snubbed while Emmerdale and Coronation Street sweep the board |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/inside-soap-awards-2017-shortlist-14472954 |website=OK! |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308145101/https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/inside-soap-awards-2017-shortlist-14472954 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |date=31 October 2017}}{{cite magazine |title=Announcing the final four nominations in the Inside Soap Awards 2017 |magazine=Inside Soap |date=4–10 November 2017 |issue=44 |pages=34–35}} This was praised by the headmistress of Freeman's school, who called the actress "talented, dedicated and hard-working". This was the first award that Freeman had been nominated for, which she found "amazing" and "exciting". The following year, Freeman was shortlisted for Best Young Actor at the 2018 British Soap Awards.{{cite web |last1=Shepherd |first1=Jack |title=British Soap Awards 2018 winners list in full: Coronation Street named best soap |url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/british-soap-awards-2018-winners-list-coronation-street-eastenders-a8381081.html |website=The Independent |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250602043413/https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/british-soap-awards-2018-winners-list-coronation-street-eastenders-a8381081.html |archive-date=2 June 2025 |date=3 June 2018}}{{cite web |last1=James |first1=Rodger |title=Full list of winners from the British Soap Awards 2018 - Coronation Street, Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and more |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/full-list-winners-british-soap-14737161 |website=Birmingham Live |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526171546/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/full-list-winners-british-soap-14737161 |archive-date=26 May 2022 |date=2 June 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Kilkelly |first1=Daniel |title=British Soap Awards 2018 winners: Find out which of your favourite shows and stars won a trophy |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a858581/british-soap-awards-2018-winners-list/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250509190155/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a858581/british-soap-awards-2018-winners-list/ |archive-date=9 May 2025 |date=2 June 2018}}

During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom, Freeman and three of her Coronation Street co-stars recreated the four-way phone conversation scene from the 2004 film Mean Girls, which received praise online.{{cite web |last1=Fitzpatrick |first1=Katie |title=Corrie girls delight fans by recreating Mean Girls in lockdown |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/corrie-girls-delight-fans-recreating-18226833 |website=Manchester Evening News |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=9 June 2025 |date=9 May 2020}} Later that year, it was announced that Freeman had departed Coronation Street to explore other acting opportunities, with the role being recast to Harriet Bibby.{{cite web |last1=Warner |first1=Sam |title=Coronation Street confirms Summer Spellman has been recast |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a34489883/coronation-street-summer-spellman-recast-harriet-bibby/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609021000/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a34489883/coronation-street-summer-spellman-recast-harriet-bibby/ |archive-date=9 June 2025|date=27 October 2020}} Freeman said of the news, "I'd like to say thank you to my second family, the cast, crew and viewers who have supported me during my time on the cobbles. After three and a half lovely years I felt it was time for a change and I'm excited to be starting that next chapter with a new role."{{cite web |last1=Julians |first1=Joe |title=Coronation Street recasts Summer Spellman |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/coronation-street/coronation-street-recasts-summer-spellman/ |website=Radio Times |publisher=Immediate Media Company |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222052221/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/coronation-street/coronation-street-recasts-summer-spellman/ |archive-date=22 February 2025 |date=27 October 2020}} Bibby said that she found it "lovely" that Freeman wished her good luck in regards to joining the soap.{{cite web |title=Coronation Street has revealed the new Summer Spellman |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2020-10-27/coronation-street-has-revealed-the-new-summer-spellman |website=itv.com |publisher=ITV plc |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609022105/https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2020-10-27/coronation-street-has-revealed-the-new-summer-spellman |archive-date=9 June 2025 |date=27 October 2020}} Freeman also revealed on social media that she was set to film something abroad later in 2020.{{cite web |title=Coronation Street's Summer Spellman recast after Matilda Freeman quits |url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/coronation-street/summer-spellman-recast-matilda-freeman-harriet-bibby/ |website=Heart |publisher=Global Media & Entertainment |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250221155405/https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/tv-movies/coronation-street/summer-spellman-recast-matilda-freeman-harriet-bibby/ |archive-date=21 February 2025 |date=28 October 2020}} Freeman later commented in 2021that she found being on the soap "quite limiting" as she was unable to work other projects due to being on a contract.{{cite web |last1=Lally |first1=Kate |title=Coronation Street star looks completely different after quitting ITV soap |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/coronation-street-star-looks-completely-28901407 |website=Liverpool Echo |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=9 June 2025 |date=28 March 2024}}

Freeman portrayed a teenage version of Lin in the sitcom Alma's Not Normal in the sixth episode of its first season, which aired in October 2021.{{cite web |last1=Hallam |first1=Katy |title=Coronation Street star unrecognisable in new TV role 4 years after leaving soap |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/coronation-street-star-unrecognisable-new-28906331 |website=Birmingham Live |access-date=9 June 2025 |date=28 March 2024}}{{cite web |title=Matilda Freeman |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/matilda_freeman/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609045344/https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/matilda_freeman/ |archive-date=9 June 2025}}{{cite web |title=Series 1, Episode 6 - Sticking With You |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/almas_not_normal/episodes/1/6/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609045158/https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/almas_not_normal/episodes/1/6/ |archive-date=9 June 2025}} In 2023, Freeman played Leila in the thriller seriesThe Power. In 2024, Freeman portrayed Lilly Wells in the dark comedy-thriller television series Passenger.{{cite web |title=Passenger |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/passenger/cast_crew/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=9 June 2025}} Freeman is set to appear in the upcoming American live action animated road Animal Friends.{{cite web |title=Matilda Freeman |url=https://anthearepresents.com/artist/matilda-freeman |website=Anthea Represents |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211221413/https://anthearepresents.com/artist/matilda-freeman |archive-date=11 February 2025}}{{cite web |title=Matilda Freeman |url=https://www.acceleratemgmt.com/people/freeman-matilda/ |website=Accelerate |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121150812/https://www.acceleratemgmt.com/people/freeman-matilda/ |archive-date=21 January 2025}}

In June 2021, Freeman publicly came out as bisexual on her Instagram story when answering a question about her sexuality.{{cite web |last1=Robledo |first1=Jordan |title=Coronation Street star Matilda Freeman comes out as bisexual |url=https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/coronation-street-star-matilda-freeman-comes-out-as-bisexual/ |website=Gay Times |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609033302/https://www.gaytimes.com/culture/coronation-street-star-matilda-freeman-comes-out-as-bisexual/ |archive-date=9 June 2025 |date=6 June 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Wall |first1=Eva |title=Coronation Street star Matilda Freeman comes out as bisexual |url=https://extra.ie/2021/06/04/entertainment/celebrity/coronation-street-star-matilda-freeman-bisexual |website=Extra.ie |publisher=DMG Media |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619125912/https://extra.ie/2021/06/04/entertainment/celebrity/coronation-street-star-matilda-freeman-bisexual |archive-date=19 June 2021 |date=4 June 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Dore |first1=Rebecca |title=Former Corrie star Matilda Freeman reveals she is bisexual |url=https://evoke.ie/2021/06/04/entertainment/former-corrie-star-matilda-freeman-reveals-she-is-bisexual |website=Evoke.ie |publisher=DMG Media |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609040528/https://evoke.ie/2021/06/04/entertainment/former-corrie-star-matilda-freeman-reveals-she-is-bisexual |archive-date=9 June 2025 |date=4 June 2021}} Freeman later thanked her fans for the "love and support" that she had received after making revealing her sexuality online, saying, "I really wasn't expecting it and it means the absolute world, you guys are amazing".{{cite web |last1=Houghton |first1=Rianne |title=Former Coronation Street star Matilda Freeman comes out as bisexual |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a36627228/coronation-street-summer-spellman-matilda-freeman-instagram-bisexual/ |website=Digital Spy |publisher=Hearst Communications |access-date=9 June 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250609033146/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a36627228/coronation-street-summer-spellman-matilda-freeman-instagram-bisexual/ |archive-date=9 June 2025 |date=4 June 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Rodger |first1=James |title=Freeman makes personal announcement as fans rush to support her |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/coronation-street-star-matilda-freeman-20739054 |website=Birmingham Live |publisher=Reach plc |access-date=9 June 2025 |date=4 June 2021}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb name|7961340}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Freeman, Matilda}}

Category:Living people

Category:2004 births

Category:English television actresses

Category:English soap opera actresses

Category:Actresses from Chester

Category:Actors from Cheshire West and Chester

Category:People educated at The Queen's School, Chester

Category:21st-century English actresses

Category:English film actresses

Category:English bisexual actresses

Category:British LGBTQ actresses