Bessie Carter
English actress (born 1993)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bessie Beatrice Carter (born 25 October 1993) is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Prudence Featherington in the Netflix series Bridgerton, as well as Evie Wilcox in the BBC television series Howards End (2017)[3] and Violet Woodhouse in the ITV television series Beecham House (2019).[4] She most recently starred in the 2025 National Theatre production of Mrs. Warren’s Profession with her mother, Imelda Staunton.
25 October 1993
Bessie Carter | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bessie Beatrice Carter 25 October 1993 |
| Alma mater | Guildhall School of Music and Drama[2] |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Television | Howards End Beecham House Bridgerton |
| Parents |
|
Early life
Carter was born in Westminster to actors Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter. In 2007, the three appeared in the BBC series Cranford (Jim Carter was Captain Brown, Imelda Staunton was Miss Octavia Pole and Bessie Carter was the maid, Margaret Gidman).[5][6][7]
She initially attended Francis Holland School before moving to Camden School for Girls where she completed her A Levels.[1] She took a year out, during which she auditioned for drama school.[8] She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2016 and winning the Spotlight Prize for Best Screen Actor that same year.[9]
In 2025 Carter and her mother co-starred in a production of Mrs. Warren's Profession in London.[10]
Acting credits
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Les Misérables | Ensemble Factory Woman | |
| 2018 | Oil | Sophie | Short film |
| 2019 | The Good Liar | Secretary | |
| 2020 | Two | New Ella | Short film |
| Emerge | Jess | ||
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Gina's Laughing Gear | Becky | Episode: "Trevor Island" |
| 2007–2008 | Cranford | Margaret Gidman | 4 episodes |
| 2017 | Doc Martin | Amy Vincent | Episode: "Farewell My Lovely" |
| Howards End | Evie Wilcox | 4 episodes | |
| Beecham House | Violet Woodhouse | 6 episodes | |
| 2020–present | Bridgerton | Prudence Featherington/Dankworth | Main role |
| 2022 | I Hate Suzie | Poppy Hunter | 3 episodes |
| 2025 | A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story | Carole Findlater | 3 episodes |
| 2025 | Outrageous | Nancy Mitford | 6 episodes |
On stage
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | The Secret Rapture | Marion | Wyn Jones | Guildhall School of Music and Drama | [11] |
| Lulu | Geschwitz | Christian Burgess | Guildhall School of Music and Drama | [12] | |
| 2016 | King Lear | Ensemble | Deborah Warner | The Old Vic | [13] |
| 2018 | Baskerville | Actor 3 | Loveday Ingram | Liverpool Playhouse | [14] |
| 2019 | All My Sons | Lydia Lubey | Jeremy Herrin | The Old Vic | [15] |
| 2024 | Dear Octopus | Fenny | Emily Burns | National Theatre | [16] |
| 2025 | Mrs Warren's Profession | Vivie Warren | Dominic Cooke | Garrick Theatre | [17] |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Total War: Warhammer III | Additional voices |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by and Ensemble in a Drama Series | Bridgerton | Nominated | [18] |
