Lacey Turner
Turner in 2016
Born
Lacey Amelia Turner

(1988-03-28) 28 March 1988 (age 35)
Barnet, North London, England
OccupationActress
Years active2004–present
Known forRole of Stacey Slater in EastEnders
TelevisionEastEnders
True Love
Bedlam
Switch
Our Girl
Spouse
Matt Kay
​
(m. 2017)​
Children2
AwardsFull list

Lacey Amelia Turner (born 28 March 1988)[1] is an English actress. With a career spanning two decades, she made her acting debut in the television soap opera EastEnders. She rose to prominence and has garnered critical acclaim for her portrayal as Stacey Slater, a character she initially played between 2004 and 2010 before returning in 2014.

Stacey is often regarded as one of EastEnders' most popular characters and Turner one of the Britain's best soap opera actors. Her most notable storylines include struggles with bipolar disorder, sexual assault, which lead to "Who Killed Archie?", postpartum psychosis, and an affair with father-in-law Max Branning. Turner has won over thirty awards for her portrayal of the character, with her accolades including four National Television Awards, six British Soap Awards and eight Inside Soap Awards. During her break from the soap, she also appeared on Being Human (2011), True Love, Bedlam, Switch (all 2012), Our Girl (2013–2014) and Call the Midwife (2014).

Early life

Turner was born in Edgware, in the London Borough of Barnet, to Catholic parents Bev and Les.[2] She was raised along with her two younger sisters in Hertfordshire, near the BBC television studios in Elstree.[2] She had commented: "From my bedroom window you could see part of the square [the external filming lot for EastEnders], and you could hear them all filming at night. I used to say to my mum: "I wanna be on that!"[2] It was whilst living there that Turner decided to become an actress.

At the age of 10, Turner trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, but left after a year stating that it "wasn't my cup of tea".[2] She has since revealed that she was bullied whilst at school for being "too geeky".[3] Instead, she attended a local girls' private school, Peterborough and Saint Margaret's School in Bushey and went to dance, singing and acting classes outside school.[2]

Career

EastEnders

Turner in 2010

Turner's earliest work included appearances on stage and in advertisements (notably a Haribo advert).[4] In 2004, Turner went on to audition for the role of Demi Miller on the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Though she failed to get that part, she was instead given the role of Stacey, a new addition to the popular Slater family. She started in the soap the day after leaving school,[2] and made her first appearance on-screen in November 2004.[4] Turner speaks with Received Pronunciation, and had to affect a cockney accent for the role. Commenting on the role, Turner said: "I always dreamt of being on the show and so I can't believe that I've fulfilled my greatest ambition!"[5] Since joining the show, her character has featured in numerous high-profile storylines, including abortion, drug abuse, a troubled relationship with her mother, discovering she has bipolar disorder, an affair with her father-in-law and the murder of her rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb).

Turner starred in a live episode of EastEnders on 19 February 2010 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the soap opera. The live episode gained over 16.6 million viewers which saw Stacey's husband die after falling from a rooftop during a police chase before Stacey's confession that she murdered Archie Mitchell.[6] After her co-star Charlie Clements who played her husband left in February 2010, EastEnders bosses declared that they are keen to retain Turner after proving her popularity with viewers,[6] however, she announced her decision to leave the show in April 2010.[7] She stated: "I'll miss Stacey and everyone in Albert Square very much but the time has come to try something different."[8] Turner later revealed that she had agreed with Charlie Clements to leave EastEnders at the same time as him. Of the decision, Turner said: "Charlie and I always said we'd go at the same time. For quite a while I'd been saying I was going to go and kept realising I wasn't ready. But when Charlie said he was going last year I was like, 'Right, OK, I'm going too'."[9] She departed on-screen on 25 December 2010.

On 6 December 2013, it was announced that Turner would be returning to EastEnders, to reprise her role as Stacey. Turner began filming in January 2014.[10][11] She made her on-screen return on 7 February 2014 and departed on 25 March 2014. She returned full-time in August 2014. Since returning to the show she has featured in a highly acclaimed postpartum psychosis storyline.

Turner's character has proven popular with fans and critics, and the actress has won multiple awards for her portrayal.

Other work

Turner at the 2011 National Television Awards.

In December 2010, Turner advertised Royal Mail's campaign to remind people of Christmas postal deadlines.[12] The following year, she was cast as Lia Shaman in the third series of Being Human.[13] She appeared in its first episode broadcast on 23 January 2011, watched by 1.37 million viewers (5%). She reprised her role for the series finalé. In March 2011, she played Elizabeth Lavenza, the bride of Victor Frankenstein (played by Andrew Gower), in an adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus titled Frankenstein's Wedding, which aired on BBC Three, live from the derelict Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds, in front of an audience of 12,000.[14]

Turner appeared alongside David Tennant, Billie Piper, David Morrissey, Jane Horrocks, Ashley Walters and Vicky McClure in the BBC One improvisational programme, True Love, which aired in June 2012. Also in June, she played the leading role of Ellie, a character who claims to see ghosts and spirits, in the second series of Bedlam. In October, she starred in the ITV2 supernatural drama series, Switch, which centres on the story of four young witches living in contemporary London. Turner's character is referred to as the "immaculately dressed" careerist Stella.[15]

The actress played a young army recruit called Molly in a one-off 90-minute drama titled Our Girl.[16] She began filming in BBC Elstree Studios in October 2012 and the film aired on BBC One on 24 March 2013. This was then followed by a five-part series which began airing on BBC One on 21 September 2014.[17] Michelle Keegan took over from the second series in 2016.

In October 2012, Turner joined Asda's Tickled Pink campaign.[18] She has also done voice over work in the CITV programme, Goodbye Year Six and narrated BBC Three's Don't Just Stand There, I'm Having Your Baby. Turner also starred in radio dramas, The One about the Social Worker and Up the Junction, which aired on BBC Radio 4 in September 2013.[19]

Personal life

Turner married Matt Kay in a private ceremony in Ibiza on 5 September 2017.[20] On 25 February 2019, Turner announced that she was expecting a child with Kay, having previously suffered two miscarriages.[21] On 12 July 2019, Turner gave birth to a daughter, Dusty Violet Kay.[22][23] On 21 September 2020, the couple announced that Turner was pregnant with their second child. On 3 February 2021, Turner gave birth to a son, Trilby Fox Kay.[24][25][26]

In April 2021, she called for better support for parents who have suffered a miscarriage. Turner appeared on BBC Breakfast and said that the system "needs reforming".[27][28]

Turner is good friends with EastEnders co-stars Jessie Wallace and Natalie Cassidy.[29][30]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2004–2010, 2014–present EastEnders Stacey Slater Regular role [31]
2005 Children in Need Stacey Slater Episode: "Peggy vs Lauren" [32]
2010 Last Tango in Walford Stacey Slater EastEnders spin-off [33]
2011 Being Human Lia Shaman 2 episodes [34]
Frankenstein's Wedding Elizabeth Lavenza Television film [35]
2012 True Love Michelle Booth 2 episodes [36]
Bedlam Ellie Flint Main role; 6 episodes [37]
Switch Stella Munroe Main role; 6 episodes [38]
2013–2014 Our Girl Molly Dawes Main role; 5 episodes [39]
2014 Call the Midwife Stella Crangle Series 3: Episode 3 [40]
2020 EastEnders: Secrets from the Square Herself Episode: "Kat and Stacey" [41]
Miscarriage: Our Story Herself Documentary [42]
2021 BBC Breakfast Herself Interview about miscarriages [43]
2023 EastEnders: The Six Herself 2 episodes [44]
Radio
Year Title Role Station Ref.
2013 Up the Junction Rube BBC Radio 4 [45]
The One About the Social Worker Tamsin Geraghty [46]
2023 Gaslight Tippi Griffiths [47]

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Lacey Turner

References

  1. ^ "Lacey Turner". Hello!. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Square's Lacey On Life After Those Saucy CCCTV Snaps". Daily Mirror. 17 June 2006. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  3. ^ Lawler, Danielle. "I'm TV's biggest bitch .. thanks to the bullies at my school". thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Archived BBC interview with Lacey Turner 8 March 2007". 8 March 2007. Archived from the original on 8 March 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  5. ^ "New Slater to join EastEnders" (Press release). BBC Press Office. 26 September 2004. Archived from the original on 3 February 2009. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
  6. ^ a b Simpson, Oli (21 February 2010). "'Enders bosses: 'Stacey will be staying'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 23 February 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2010.
  7. ^ Green, Kris (29 April 2010). "Stacey and Jean to leave 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  8. ^ Robertson, Helen (30 April 2010). "Soap Star Lacey Leaves Albert Square Behind". Sky News. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  9. ^ Daniels, Colin (18 December 2010). "Soaps — News — Turner 'made deal with Clements to leave' – Digital Spy". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  10. ^ Brown, David. "'EastEnders':Lacey Turner to return as Stacey Branning in the new year". Radio Times. 6 December 2013. Archived from the original on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  11. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel. "'EastEnders':Lacey Turner returning as Stacey Branning". Digital Spy. 6 December 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  12. ^ "Lacey Turner has Christmas licked as she balances a festive stamp on her nose — mirror.co.uk". Daily Mirror. 15 December 2010. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  13. ^ Keogh, Garret (20 June 2010). "Being Human Blog: LACEY TURNER TO STAR IN BEING HUMAN 3". BBC. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  14. ^ Laws, Roz (14 March 2011). "Lacey Turner and David Harewood star in Frankenstein's Wedding". Sunday Mercury. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  15. ^ Jeffrey, Morgan (29 March 2012). "Lacey Turner to star in ITV2 witch drama 'Switch'". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  16. ^ Goodacre, Kate (18 October 2012). "'Switch's Lacey Turner to star in BBC army drama 'Our Girl' – TV News". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
  17. ^ "BBC Media centre". BBC. 12 August 2014. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  18. ^ [1] Archived 27 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ Ben Dowell. "Lacey Turner gets a taste for radio drama". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 25 September 2013.
  20. ^ Sophie Dainty (11 September 2017). "EastEnders star Lacey Turner marries childhood sweetheart Matt Kay in Ibiza ceremony". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  21. ^ Alexander, Susannah (25 February 2019). "EastEnders' Lacey Turner announces she's expecting her first baby". Digital Spy. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  22. ^ Warner, Sam (15 July 2019). "EastEnders star Lacey Turner gives birth to a baby girl". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  23. ^ Anderton, Joe (29 July 2019). "EastEnders' Lacey Turner reveals sweet name of her newborn daughter". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  24. ^ "EastEnders' Lacey Turner announces she's expecting 'miracle' second child with husband Matt Kay after miscarriage heartbreak". OK! Magazine. 21 September 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  25. ^ "Lacey Turner gives birth: EastEnders star welcomes second child with husband Matt Kay as they reveal gender and weight". OK! Magazine. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  26. ^ "The meaning behind EastEnders star Lacey Turner's baby name after she welcomes her second child with husband Matt Kay". OK! Magazine. 8 March 2021. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  27. ^ "EastEnders actress Lacey Turner calls for better miscarriage support". BBC News. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  28. ^ BBC Breakfast [@BBCBreakfast] (27 April 2021). "Eastenders actress Lacey Turner has had two miscarriages. She speaks to #BBCBreakfast as campaigners call for more support for women who experience it. Current rules only provide treatment after three miscarriages" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  29. ^ "EastEnders offers first look at Jessie Wallace and Lacey Turner's return in Secrets from the Square". Digital Spy. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  30. ^ "EastEnders' Natalie Cassidy celebrates 40th with wild party alongside co-stars". OK! Magazine. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  31. ^ "BBC EastEnders – Stacey Slater". BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  32. ^ "£17m raised by BBC Children in Need so far". BBC News. 19 November 2005. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  33. ^ "'Enders cast perform Girls Aloud number for DVD". Digital Spy. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  34. ^ "'Being Human' star praises Lacey Turner". Digital Spy. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  35. ^ "Lacey Turner ('Frankenstein's Wedding')". Digital Spy. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  36. ^ "True Love – BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  37. ^ "'EastEnders' Lacey Turner heads to 'Bedlam' for Sky Living". Digital Spy. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  38. ^ "Lacey Turner's 'Switch' axed by ITV2". Digital Spy. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  39. ^ "Michelle Keegan taking over from Lacey Turner in army drama Our Girl". BBC News. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  40. ^ "Call the Midwife – Series 3, Episode 3". BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  41. ^ "EastEnders: Secrets from the Square – Kat and Stacey". BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  42. ^ "EastEnders' Lacey Turner recalls suffering a miscarriage while at work". Digital Spy. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  43. ^ "EastEnders Lacey Turner opens up about heartbreaking miscarriages". Digital Spy. 27 April 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  44. ^ Meyer, Tamzin (11 December 2023). "Joe Swash's 'The Six' EastEnders special airs tonight on BBC Three". Entertainment Daily. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  45. ^ "Up the Junction". BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  46. ^ "The One About the Social Worker". BBC. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  47. ^ "Gaslight". BBC. 17 February 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.

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