Rachel Bright

Bright was introduced as Poppy Meadow on the BBC soap opera EastEnders in two episodes on 11 and 13 January 2011, in scenes which were substituted for scenes cut from the controversial baby swap storyline, in which Ronnie Branning's (Samantha Womack) son, James, dies of sudden infant death syndrome and she secretly swaps him with Kat Moon's (Jessie Wallace) son, Tommy.{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 11/01/2011 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xh7lz |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Jennie Darnell (director), Carey Andrews (writer)|network=BBC |station=BBC One|airdate=11 January 2011}}{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 13/01/2011 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00xh6xw |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Jennie Darnell (director), Carey Andrews (writer)|network=BBC |station=BBC One |airdate=13 January 2011}} A spokeswoman for EastEnders confirmed that the scenes had been edited following viewers' strong response to the story, but said that no complete scenes were removed: "Given the audience response to this storyline, we felt on this occasion that it was appropriate to respond and make some changes. The vast majority of material remains intact and we don't believe that those trims we have made will weaken or detract from the overall storyline for viewers."{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a298208/bbc-explains-eastenders-scene-changes.html|title=BBC explains 'EastEnders' scene changes|last=Daniels|first=Colin|date=16 January 2011|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hachette Filipacchi UK|access-date=12 May 2011}}

In an interview with the Daily Mirror, Bright stated that her first scene was her favourite throughout her tenure, as "all [she] could think was, 'I'm sitting on a bench in the Square!'".{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/2011/11/12/rachel-bright-who-plays-poppy-on-life-in-eastenders-115875-23555270/|title=Rachel Bright, who plays Poppy, on life in EastEnders|last=Stewart|first=Tony|date=12 November 2011|work=Daily Mirror|access-date=12 November 2011|publisher=Trinity Mirror}}{{cite journal|date=12–18 November 2011|title=Girls on the run|journal=We Love Telly|page=16|first=Tony|last=Stewart}} Kylie Babbington, who played Jodie Gold, revealed in May 2011 that Poppy would be returning and would have comical scenes.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a319136/eastenders-star-jodie-has-reasons-to-stay.html|title='EastEnders' star: 'Jodie has reasons to stay'|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=12 May 2011|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hachette Filipacchi UK|access-date=12 May 2011}} Bright made her return on 30 June 2011.{{Cite episode |title=Episode dated 30/06/2011 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012474p |series= EastEnders |series-link=EastEnders |credits= Terry Dyddgen-Jones (director), Jeff Povey (writer)|network=BBC |station=BBC One|airdate=30 June 2011}} Poppy and Jodie were reportedly used to add humour to the soap, in the style of reality-drama series The Only Way is Essex. On 24 October 2011, it was announced that the pair were to leave the show;{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a347158/eastenders-duo-jodie-poppy-to-leave-walford.html|title='EastEnders' duo Jodie, Poppy to leave Walford|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=24 October 2011|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|access-date=24 October 2011}} they made their final appearance on 14 November 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/spoilers/a349326/phils-past-comes-back-to-haunt-him.html|title=Phil's past comes back to haunt him|last=Kilkelly|first=Daniel|date=14 November 2011|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|access-date=8 November 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/scoop/a349352/corrie-clash-enders-exits-edale-hotel-shock-oaks-arrival.html|title=Corrie clash, 'Enders exits, E'dale hotel shock, 'Oaks arrival|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|date=6 November 2011|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|access-date=6 November 2011}} According to an EastEnders spokesperson, there is potential for Poppy to appear again in the future. In an interview with Inside Soap, EastEnders executive producer Bryan Kirkwood said of a possible return, "We may see Poppy pop up as I'm a big fan of Rachel Bright and the character, but Kylie is keen to pursue other roles."{{cite journal|date=19–25 November 2011|title=Secrets of the Square|journal=Inside Soap|issue=46|page=42}} Bright rejoined the cast of EastEnders, appearing on-screen from 12 June 2012 until she left the soap again on 30 January 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s2/eastenders/news/a517892/eastenders-axes-four-stars-aj-poppy-carl-and-kirsty-to-leave-soap.html|title='EastEnders' axes four stars: AJ, Poppy, Carl and Kirsty to leave soap|last=Klompus|first=Jack|date=24 September 2013|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Magazines UK|access-date=24 September 2013}}

Bright appears as Anna in the 2012 UK feature film Life Just Is. From 2016 to 2017, Bright filmed the lead role of Jessica Slade in the British feature film King of Crime, alongside real-life partner Jonno Davies. The film was released in October 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://totalmk.co.uk/film-books/modern-gangster-thriller-king-of-crime-is-released-today|title=King of Crime released}}

In 2021, Bright and Davies appeared together in an episode of Holby City playing Beth Miller and Leo Powell respectively.{{cite journal |title=Tuesday main channels |journal=Radio Times |date=26 June - 2 July 2021 |issue=26 |pages=78 |publisher=(Immediate Media Company)}}

Having had their wedding postponed three times due to coronavirus restrictions, Bright and Davies married at the fourth attempt at The Groucho Club in London on 10 July 2021.

• Polly in Electronica (Red Hedgehog, 2008)
• The Girl in Bus Stop Kisser (Camden Peoples Theatre, 2014)
• Lucy in Dracula (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2014)
• Julia Simmons in A Murder Is Announced (Nationwide Tour, 2015–2016)

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Category:Alumni of Birmingham School of Acting

Category:English soap opera actresses

Category:Living people

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Actresses from High Wycombe