Ellie Darcey-Alden

2007–2009: Early work

Darcey-Alden made her acting debut in 2007, appearing in small roles on the British stage and television, including her first stage credit in Aladdin, directed by Peter Duncan for the Oxford Playhouse.^[11] Aged seven she forged her parents' signature on a sign-up sheet which led to an audition. After the play's run, Duncan strongly recommended that she continue acting, directing her to film agents in London where she signed on with A&J Management. This was followed by an uncredited role in the 2008 mini-series Tess of the D'Urbervilles.^[12]

In 2009, she appeared in her first guest-starring role as Mary in one episode of Robin Hood and in select episodes as Emma Walker in Holby City — both for the BBC. That year, she also appeared in Adrian Noble's musical production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for the New Theatre Oxford (a revamped production of the original 2002 London production)^[13] and the Mardi Gras Challenge, a UK dance competition at the Sadler's Wells Theatre.^[14][1]

2009–2011: Harry Potter

Darcey-Alden's most notable role came in summer 2008 when she attended an open audition for the latest Harry Potter instalment. It was not yet decided by the producers that the final book in the series would be split into two parts and once this decision was made, Darcey-Alden was expected to "re-audition over a year later" in December 2009 and "luckily still met the height and role requirements."^[15] She was cast as the young Lily Evans, appearing in a flashback sequence as Harry's mother in her schooldays. Lily reveals how she befriended Snape as child, which is crucial in explaining the back story of the shady professor and his complex relationship to Harry's deceased parents, particularly his bitter resentment to his father James.^[16][17]

2012 onwards

Darcey-Alden has since been cast in a variety of independent and larger budget films including a cameo role in Welcome to the Punch, a British thriller co-starring James McAvoy, Mark Strong and Harry Potter alum Peter Mullan.^[18] Other roles include two short films, Pranks and Sam & Isobel. Pranks co-starred her brother Joseph.^[19]

In 2012, she returned to the BBC for the Doctor Who series 7 Christmas special, "The Snowmen" as Francesca Latimer reuniting with brother Joseph as her on-screen sibling and co-starring alongside Jenna-Louise Coleman and Matt Smith.^[20] The same year she was a guest star in the second season of Tom Fontana's French-German-Czech historical television drama Borgia: Faith and Fear (not to be confused with Showtime's The Borgias) as Felice della Rovere, on-screen and illegitimate daughter to Dejan Čukić's Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere (better known as Pope Julius II).

Stage credits included Ellen Kent's Aida Verdi for the New Theatre Oxford^[1][21] and The Nutcracker Twisted (or A Twisted Nutcracker), an interpretation of the original which breaks away from classic ballet and includes tap, hip-hop, jazz and singing. It was presented by Elite Dance Studio and performed at the Norris Theatre in 2013.^[22][23]

In 2013, she performed for the Los Angeles Clippers halftime show with Elite Dance Studio.^[24] In 2014 she appeared in the Showstopper! competition at the Disneyland Hotel in California.^[25][26] In 2015 she appeared in the KAR: Kids Artistic Revue at Millikan High School.^[27] She also worked as a British English dialect coach for Palos Verdes High School's production of Noises Off.^[28]

In 2016 she was cast in Palos Verdes High School's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, directed by Nicole Thompson.^[29][30] The musical was nominated for 15 John Raitt Awards for Youth, including best ensemble and took home one for musical comedy of the year.^{[citation needed]}

In 2018, she was cast as the recurring character Alice in the British drama action television series Remnants, directed and written by Luke Heaver and Kieran Thomas Peace.^[31]

In 2019 she appeared in How to Identify a Serial Killer as the supporting character Harriett.^[32]

Film and television

Theatre