Chelsea Halfpenny

Chelsea Halfpenny (born 26 September 1991) is an English actress, known for her roles as Amy Wyatt in the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'' and Alicia Munroe in the BBC drama '' Casualty''. She played Jenna Hunterson in the 2022 UK Tour of ''Waitress.''

Early life

Halfpenny attended St Augustine's Primary School in Leam Lane, Gateshead and then went on to attend St Edmund Campion Catholic School in Wrekenton, both of which her aunt, Jill Halfpenny, attended. She also attended Saturday fame school classes at the Reavley Theatre School, Gateshead. Halfpenny lived on the Leam Lane Estate, in Gateshead.

Career

Television and film

Halfpenny's professional acting career began in 2004 when she appeared in the '' Casualty'' episode "What Parents Do", Playing an eleven-year-old girl called Karine. In the same year, she booked role as Lucy Summerbee in popular children's television series ''Byker Grove''. Halfpenny secured the role after answering an advertisement in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle. after leaving ''Byker Grove'' in 2006, Halfpenny continued to work in the North East. She featured In an independent short film for Sham Films, called ''Cherry Pop''.

Halfpenny featured in the 2010 short film ''Compulsion'', directed by Andy McVicar. She Played the female lead Kelly, In Story of young adolescent love. The film was funded by Northern Film and Media's Digital Nation initiative fund. Made for £20,000, ''Compulsion'' won the British Council award for "Best New Short Film'" at the London Film Festival. On 8 October 2010, Halfpenny made her first appearance on Yorkshire-based soap opera ''Emmerdale'' as runaway teenager Amy Wyatt, who became a regular character. On 11 October 2013, Halfpenny confirmed that she was to leave ''Emmerdale''. Her last episode was shown on 14 November 2013. Later in 2013, Halfpenny portrayed Sarah in a short film called ''Lilium'', a production by students at Teesside University.

In 2015, Halfpenny joined the cast of BBC medical drama '' Casualty''. She portrayed the role of Alicia Munroe, a year 1 foundation officer doctor. Halfpenny's first episode aired on 19 September 2015. Halfpenny had signed for eight episodes and departed the show on 14 November 2015, but in May 2016, it was announced that Halfpenny would return to ''Casualty'', with her return episode airing on 30 July 2016. On 15 January 2019, it was confirmed that Halfpenny would be leaving ''Casualty'' after four years.

Music and theatre

In 2009, Halfpenny progressed to the Open Mic UK national finals with Newcastle-based girl-band Vevo. In 2011, Halfpenny featured on a DVD release by MWM Records, called ''Big River Big Songs''. She sang a solo of "I Still Love Him" and sang a duet, "The Shoe Makker" with fellow ''Emmerdale'' cast member Charlie Hardwick