Kerry Bennett is a British television and theatre actress. Bennett grew up in Stockport, England, and began her career aged fourteen acting in theatre productions. She rose to prominence playing the role of Jess Cranham in the BBC medical drama Casualty and Eva Falco in the soap opera Hollyoaks. Bennett has also appeared in numerous other British television dramas, soap operas and short films. Bennett has also participated in voice over work and continued to pursue her theatrical career when not signed to television or film roles.

Kerry Bennett
Born
United Kingdom
OccupationActress
Years active2010–present

Career edit

Bennett was born in United Kingdom and grew up in the northern town Stockport.[1] Bennett is biracial and has Seychellois heritage.[1] At age fourteen, Bennett joined the NK Theatre company and began playing roles in their productions. Bennett's first professional role was dancing in the NSPCC charity gala at The Palace Theatre in Manchester.[2] Bennett then participated in various "theatre in education" programmes and later became a patron of the theatre's charity.[2] She furthered her training by attending the East 15 Acting School in Essex.[3] In addition to acting, Bennett has become a voice over artist during her career.[1][3]

In 2014, Bennett secured a guest role in CBBC show Hank Zipzer.[3] In 2015, it was revealed that Bennett was filming a role for the horror genre web-series titled, The Highridge Massacre.[4] Bennett played the role of Jess Cranham in the BBC medical drama Casualty.[5] The character is portrayed as a paramedic on the series. Jess is also a lesbian who becomes the victim of domestic violence.[6] She made her finale appearance in the episode broadcast on 20 January 2016.[7]

In 2016, Bennett had a role in the British-Italian indie film The Habit of Beauty.[1] She also returned to theatre from April to June 2016, playing the role of Dawn in the touring stage production of Invincible.[8][9] It was later announced that Bennett had joined the cast of the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, playing the role of Eva Falco. The role was described as deadly character who was fixated on getting revenge.[5] Whilst working on Hollyoaks, Bennett worked with Clive Russell who played her on-screen father Billy Brodie. Bennett described the experience as "quite daunting" but was "thrilled" to work alongside the actor.[10] Bennett remained with the show for six months until her character was killed off and her final scenes were broadcast on 16 January 2017. Discussing her exit, Bennett stated she had an "amazing time", a "great storyline" and was "sad" to leave the cast.[11]

Bennett then secured a role in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, playing Trina Robson. It was reported that Bennett had only filmed the role for a small number of episodes.[12] In 2018, Bennett appeared in the short film Neon, in the main role of Mary alongside Joe Absolom.[13] She also appeared in the Sky One drama series Bulletproof, playing Scarlett Nugent.[1][14] She also played the role of Jessica Markhamp in an episode of the ITV drama Butterfly, which was broadcast on 28 October 2018.[15] On 4 February 2019, Bennett appeared as Lauren Crighton in an episode of the BBC soap opera, Doctors.[16] She also appeared in the film We Die Young, which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme.[1] From May to August 2019, Bennett appeared in the West End theatre production of The Starry Messenger.[17]

In 2021, Bennett appeared as Cori Atkins in the film Off Your Head.[18][3] In 2022, Bennett returned to theatre work playing Alex in stage production of Home I'm Darling, written by Laura Wade.[19] Also in 2022, Bennett appeared in the Viaplay show Threesome as Joanna Alexander.[20][3]

Filmography edit

Year Title Role Notes
2010 The Last Man Alex Film role
2013 My Kin Ally Short film
2014 It's a Riot Radio news reporter Short film
2014 Hank Zipzer Mother customer Guest role
2014 Bait Pauline Film
2015 The Session Harper Short film
2015 Monster Hunters Donna Matthews Film role
2015 Everyday Stories of Colossal Importance Sophia Short film
2015 Delirium Mother Short film
2015-2016 Casualty Jess Cranham Recurring role
2016 The Tunnel Check-In attendant Guest role
2016 The Habit of Beauty Elisabeth Film role
2016-2017 Hollyoaks Eva Falco Regular role
2017 Coronation Street Trina Robson Guest role
2018 Neon Mary Short film
2018 Bulletproof Scarlett Nugent Guest role
2018 Butterfly Jessica Markhamp Guest role
2018 Relationshit Amber Regular role
2019 Doctors Lauren Crighton Guest role
2019 We Die Young Brenda Film role
2021 F1 2021 Zoe Akkerman Video game role
2021 Off Your Head Cori Atkins Film role
2022 Threesome Joanna Alexander Guest role
Sources:[1][3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Kerry Bennett". Anthea Represents. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Patrons of NK Theatre Arts". NK Theatre Arts. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Kerry Bennett" (PDF). Scott Marshall Partners. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  4. ^ "News Round-up Week Ending 04 December". This Is Horror. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  5. ^ a b Kilkelly, Daniel (17 August 2016). "Hollyoaks spoilers: Casualty star Kerry Bennett joins as Jack Osborne's niece Eva". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  6. ^ Dainty, Sophie (5 January 2016). "Casualty spoilers: New pictures show Dixie putting her life in danger during explosive episode". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  7. ^ "BBC One - Casualty, Series 30, The Good Life". BBC Online. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  8. ^ Cox, Anne (11 April 2016). "Invincible - Review". Stage Review. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Programme for 'Invincible'". Mercury Theatre. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  10. ^ Heffernan, Laura (29 October – 4 November 2016). "Eva's out for blood - and nobody will get in her way!". Inside Soap. No. 43. pp. 44, 45.
  11. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (16 January 2017). "Hollyoaks kills off Eva Falco as Grace Black returns to her murderous ways". Digital Spy. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  12. ^ Lindsay, Duncan (18 January 2017). "Kerry Bennett swaps Hollyoaks for Corrie - as a love interest for Adam Barlow?". Metro. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Neon – A short film (review)". nevermore-horror.com. 4 March 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  14. ^ "Lindsey Coulson and Kerry Bennett in 'Bulletproof' – Creative Artists Management". CAM. 2 May 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Butterfly Season 1". Radio Times. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  16. ^ "BBC One - Doctors, Series 20, Boot Camp". BBC Online. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  17. ^ "The Starry Messenger Tickets". London Theatre. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Lots of blood and effects added to action film Off Your Head". aldeavfx.com. 22 December 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  19. ^ "Kerry Bennett stars as Alex in a new production of the Olivier Award winning comedy 'Home I'm Darling' - Voiceover Agency London - Anthea Represents". Anthea Represents. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Threesome". Radio Times. Retrieved 25 October 2022.

External links edit