English actress (born 1997)
Mia McKenna-Bruce
McKenna-Bruce in 2022
Born Mia Sasha McKenna-Bruce
(1997-07-03 ) 3 July 1997 (age 27) Occupation Actress Years active 2006–present Partner Tom Leach (2017- present) Children 1
Mia Sasha McKenna-Bruce
[1] (born 3 July 1997) is an English actress. She gained prominence through her role as
Tee Taylor in
Tracy Beaker Returns and
The Dumping Ground . Her films include
Persuasion and
How to Have Sex . For the latter, she won a
British Independent Film Award , the
BAFTA Rising Star Award and was nominated for the
European Film Award for Best Actress .
On television, McKenna-Bruce also appeared in the
iPlayer series
Get Even and the
Peacock series
Vampire Academy .
McKenna-Bruce was born on 3 July 1997
[2] in
London and was raised in
Chislehurst ,
Bromley .
[3]
[1]
[4]
[5]
[6] McKenna-Bruce took dance classes at Liz Burville Performing Arts Centre in
Bexley and was a student at Belcanto London Academy.
[4]
[1] McKenna-Bruce also attended the Sapphire Dance Academy in
Bexleyheath ,
[7] as well as the
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls .
[8] McKenna-Bruce has two sisters, Anya and Ellis.
[9]
McKenna-Bruce's first role was a ballet girl in the West End production of
Billy Elliot the Musical .
[10]
[11] Her first TV role was the minor role of Ester, Small Dark Places .
[12] She then starred in
Holby City as Abi Taylor for one episode.
[13] McKenna-Bruce then appeared in
EastEnders as
Penny Branning .
[7] She had a two episode guest in January 2008 and then another three episode guest stint in April 2008. McKenna-Bruce next starred in
The Bill in 2009 as Keira Curtis for one episode.
[14] She then moved on to
Doctors for three episodes.
[15]
Later in 2009, McKenna-Bruce starred in her first film role,
The Fourth Kind , playing Ashley Tyler.
[16]
[17]
[18] Her next role was as main character Tee Taylor in
Tracy Beaker Returns from 2010 to 2012.
[19] In 2011, McKenna-Bruce appeared in the TV series Spy for one episode,
[20] and in five episodes of The Tracy Beaker Survival Guide. McKenna-Bruce reprised the role of Tee Taylor from 2013 until 2016 (and again as a guest in 2017 and 2018) in the spin-off series
The Dumping Ground .
[21] McKenna-Bruce played Tee Taylor in a The Dumping Ground spin-off,
The Dumping Ground: I'm... , a
webisode series.
[22] She guest starred in another episode of
Holby City as Asia Lucas, as well as guest starring in
BBC Three 's
Josh .
[23]
[24]
[25] McKenna-Bruce was cast as the lead in a feature film, The Rebels .
[26] In 2020, she began portraying the role of Bree Deringer on the
iPlayer teen thriller series
Get Even .
[27] In 2021, she appeared in an episode of
Vera ,
[28] later being cast in the
Netflix film
Persuasion .
[29] In August of that same year, she was cast as Mia Karp in the
PeacockTV fantasy series
Vampire Academy .
[30]
In 2021, McKenna-Bruce successfully auditioned for the role of Tara in
Molly Manning Walker 's film
How to Have Sex . Her performance as an inexperienced schoolgirl grappling with issues of consent while on holiday in Crete was widely praised
[31]
[32]
[33] and led to her being identified as a Screen Star of Tomorrow by
Screen Daily .
[34] She was also nominated for
Best European Actress at the
2023 European Film Awards ,
[35] and won Best Breakthrough Performer of the Year at the
2023 London Film Critics Circle Awards .
[36] She also won the
BAFTA Rising Star Award at the
77th British Academy Film Awards .
[37]
In February 2022, McKenna-Bruce became engaged to actor Tom Leach.
[38] In August 2023, they welcomed their first child, a son Leo.
[39]
Year
Title
Role
2011
Tracy Beaker Returns: You Choose
Tee Taylor
2013–2014
The Dumping Ground Game
2015
The Dumping Ground: You're the Boss
[51]
^
a
b
c French, Matthew (29 December 2006).
"Vying for the top" . News Shopper . Retrieved 27 August 2017 .
^
"Could this day get any better🔞🙌🙌🙌 @WickedUK" . Twitter . 3 July 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
"Mia McKenna-Bruce Spotlight CV" . Spotlight . 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018 .
^
a
b
"Mia McKenna-Bruce child star has a big connection" (PDF) . Hello Chislehurst . 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2017 .
^
"Mia McKenna-Bruce on Instagram: Happy Father's Day to our amazing daddy" . 18 June 2017. Archived from
the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2017 .
^
Three Sisters on
YouTube
^
a
b
c
"Talented Sapphire Dance Academy youngsters excel at UK's biggest show" . Kent Online . 6 April 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
"Mia Mckenna-Bruce" . Mandy.com . Archived from
the original on 8 November 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2018 .
^
Mia McKenna-Bruce - Biography - IMDb
^
"Photos: Billy Elliot Gobbles Second Birthday Cake" . WhatsonStage. 16 May 2007. Archived from
the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^ French, Matthew (29 December 2006).
"Vying for the top" . News Shopper . Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
a
b
"Small Dark Places" . BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
a
b
"Holby City Series 10–15. Physician, Heal Thyself" . Radio Times . 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2015 .
^
a
b
"The Bill Series 25 – 2. Little Girl Lost – Part One" . Radio Times . 2009. Retrieved 22 December 2015 .
^
a
b Muppala, Vaman (2 November 2009).
"Close encounters of The Fourth Kind" . The Diamondback. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
a
b Nelson, Rob (4 November 2009).
"Review: 'The Fourth Kind' " . Variety. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
a
b Murray, Joel (16 November 2009).
"Film review: The Fourth Kind" . The Linc. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
a
b FUCHS, CYNTHIA (6 November 2009).
"The Fourth Kind" . PopMatters. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
a
b
"Going Home, Series 3, Credits" . BBC . Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
a
b
"Spy Episode 1.5 – Codename: Blood" . British Comedy Guide . 11 November 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2015 .
^
a
b
"The Dumping Ground: S4-E1 Lost and Found" .
RadioTimes . Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
"The Dumping Ground I'm...Tee" . Radio Times . Retrieved 3 February 2016 .
^
a
b
"Holby City – Growing Pains" . BBC . Retrieved 12 March 2017 .
^
a
b
"Mia McKenna-Bruce on Twitter: @anthonyy7890 im filming an episode for Holby City next week and in the new year working on @TheMarshlandsTV 🤗 Vvvv excited!!" . 3 December 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
a
b
"Josh - Series 3, Bicycles & Babies, Credirs" . BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
a
b
"Tornado Studios on Twitter: Very excited to have Mia McKenna Bruce on board in our upcoming feature film 'The Rebels'. #TheRebels @MiaMBruce" . 18 January 2017. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
"TV teen drama filmed in town coming to BBC iPlayer this week" .
The Bolton News . Retrieved 12 February 2020 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g Rodrigues, Charlotte (9 April 2021).
"EastEnders: Penny Branning actress Mia McKenna-Bruce looks unrecognisable 13 years after leaving soap" . Entertainment Daily . Digitalbox. Retrieved 17 May 2021 .
^
a
b Wiseman, Andreas (17 May 2021).
" 'Persuasion': Cosmo Jarvis To Star Opposite Dakota Johnson In Netflix & MRC Jane Austen Movie; Richard E. Grant, Suki Waterhouse, Nikki Amuka-Bird & More Join" .
Deadline Hollywood .
Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2021 .
^ Keheller, Patrick (18 September 2022).
"Vampire Academy's resident queer couple explains simple reason TV needs more LGBTQ+ characters" .
PinkNews . Retrieved 25 April 2023 .
^ Ide, Wendy (5 November 2023).
"How to Have Sex review – two stars are born with this searing study of consent" . the Guardian .
ISSN
0261-3077 . Retrieved 7 November 2023 .
^
"How to Have Sex's Mia McKenna-Bruce: 'Consent is not yes or no' " . The Independent . 5 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023 .
^ Flood, Alex (26 October 2023).
"Mia McKenna-Bruce on her buzzy British breakout 'How To Have Sex' " . NME . Retrieved 7 November 2023 .
^ Gant, Charles (28 June 2023).
"Stars of Tomorrow 2023: Mia McKenna-Bruce (actor)" . Screen Daily . Retrieved 7 November 2023 .
^
"Main Categories Nominees 2023" .
European Film Academy . Retrieved 7 November 2023 .
^ Szalai, Georg (4 February 2024).
" 'Zone of Interest' Wins Best Film at London Critics' Circle Awards, Emma Stone Named Best Actress" .
The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 4 February 2024 .
^
"Winners Announced: EE BAFTA Film Awards" .
British Academy of Film and Television Arts . 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024 .
^ Mia McKenna-Bruce [@mia_mbruce] (24 February 2022).
"When you see it...happiest girl in the world💍" – via
Instagram .
^ Mia McKenna-Bruce [@mia_mbruce] (28 September 2023).
"A month of our little champ. 🫶 After a rough start we are finally out and seeing the world, I couldn't be prouder to be your mama💙" – via
Instagram .
^
"Our latest new short 'Watch What I Do' stars up and coming talent Isidora Fairhurst, @MiaMBruce (The Dumping Ground), Rita Bernard (Shiro's Story) and @Dani_MasDyer (winner of ITV's Love Island 2018). With the world premiere just 9 days away, the trailer drops tomorrow on #MYM!!" . Twitter . Fully Focused. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2019 .
^
" 'Get Even' Star Mia McKenna-Bruce Leads Cast of 'Smudged Smile,' First Film in Mental Health Anthology (EXCLUSIVE)" .
Variety . 17 February 2021.
^ Grater, Tom (6 August 2021).
" 'Sex Education' Star Boards UK Feature 'Kindling'; Venice Passion For Film Award; ITV Hub Record – Global Briefs" . Deadline . Retrieved 9 July 2022 .
^ Wiseman, Andreas (21 October 2022) [21 October 2022].
"MK2 Boards Film4 & BFI-Backed 'How To Have Sex'; 'Vampire Academy' & 'Persuasion' Actress Mia McKenna-Bruce Among Cast" .
Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 26 May 2023 .
^ Ramachandran, Naman (11 December 2023).
" 'How to Have Sex' Star Mia McKenna-Bruce, Louisa Connolly-Burnham, Michael Fox to Lead Queer Drama 'Sister Wives' (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Retrieved 22 February 2024 .
^
"The Dumping Ground Survival Files, S2-E2 Challenges" . Radio Times. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
"The Dumping Ground: I'm...- Series 1, Tee Credits" . BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
"Mia McKenna-Bruce on Instagram: Day 1 of rehearsals taking on the role of ENICA in this amazing feature for the next month IM TOO EXCITED #therebelsfilm" . 8 February 2017. Archived from
the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
"New BBC Thriller 'Get Even' Looks Seriously Chilling" .
Tyla . 6 February 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2020 .
^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (30 August 2021).
" 'Vampire Academy': Sisi Stringer, Daniela Nieves & Kieron Moore Among 10 Cast In Peacock YA Drama Series" .
Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 30 August 2021 .
^ Ritman, Alex (10 June 2024).
" 'How to Have Sex' Star Mia McKenna-Bruce to Lead Netflix Agatha Christie Series 'The Seven Dials Mystery' With Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman (EXCLUSIVE)" . Variety . Retrieved 11 June 2024 .
^ Stearman, Nicki (28 January 2015).
"You're the Boss: new game for CBBC's The Dumping Ground" . BBC. Retrieved 20 March 2017 .
^
"British Independent Film Awards 2023: the winners in full" .
British Film Institute . Retrieved 18 February 2024 .
^
"The winners of the European Film Awards 2023" .
European Film Academy . Retrieved 19 February 2024 .
^ Cline, Rich (4 February 2024).
"London critics name The Zone of Interest as Film of the Year" . The Critics' Circle . Retrieved 19 February 2024 .
^
"Bafta Awards 2024: The complete list of winners and nominees" .
BBC News . 18 February 2024. Retrieved 18 February 2024 .