Jemma Donovan (born 28 March 2000) is an English-born Australian actress. She made her on-screen debut in the BBC television film ''

Mr Stink ''Mr. Stink'' is a book published in October 2009 and written by David Walliams and illustrated by Quentin Blake. The book has been adapted as a stage musical and has been made into a television film of the same name by the BBC shown during ...

'' when she was 12 years old. In 2015, Donovan played Maddy Bastière in the French-American series '' Spotless''. After relocating to Australia, Donovan joined the regular cast of ''

Neighbours ''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera, which has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap '' Sons an ...

'' as

Harlow Robinson Harlow Loomis Robinson (born 20 September 1950) is a Matthews Distinguished University Professor of History at Northeastern University who specializes in Soviet and Russian cultural history, with writings on Soviet film and performing arts. ...

. Three members of her family had previously starred in the soap opera, including her father

Jason Donovan Jason Sean Donovan (born 1 June 1968) is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap ''Neighbours'', playing Scott Robinson, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 mi ...

. She made her debut July 2019 and also appeared in the spin-off series '' Neighbours: Erinsborough High''. She left the serial in July 2022. Shortly after moving back to the UK, Donovan secured the role of "party girl"

Rayne Royce '' Hollyoaks'' is a British television soap opera that was first broadcast on 23 October 1995. The following is a list of characters that appear in 2023, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by the soap's executive producer, ...

in the British soap opera '' Hollyoaks''.

Early life

Donovan was born and raised in London. She is the daughter of actor and singer

and his wife Angela Malloch. She has a younger brother and sister. Her grandfather is actor Terence Donovan and her grandmother is actress and presenter

Sue McIntosh Sue McIntosh (née Menlove; born 1946) is an Australian television actress, presenter and journalist. Career During the 1960s and 1970s, McIntosh was an actress who worked in British and Australian television. Her early credits include a 19 ...

. Her aunt

Stephanie McIntosh Stephanie McIntosh (born 5 July 1985) is an Australian actress and singer. She played the role of Sky Mangel in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' from 2003 to 2007. She made a brief appearance for one episode in 2015 as part of the show ...

is also an actor and singer. Donovan realised she wanted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry while she was in school. She began attending drama classes when she was 10 years old.

Career

Donovan was 12 years old when she appeared as bully Pippa in the BBC television film ''

'', which was adapted from the David Walliams book of the same name. Donovan said working on the film made her fall in love with acting. In 2015, Donovan played Maddy Bastière in the French-American dark comedy-drama series '' Spotless'', which was distributed by Netflix internationally. She spent six months filming the series and she called it one of the best experiences of her life, as it taught her a lot about the industry. She admitted that she did not want to go back to school afterwards. Donovan relocated to Australia in 2018, where she went on a number of auditions arranged by her father's agent, including for ''

Home and Away ''Home and Away'' (often abbreviated as ''H&A'') is an Australian television soap opera. It was created by Alan Bateman and commenced broadcast on the Seven Network on 17 January 1988. Bateman came up with the concept of the show during a trip ...

''. Donovan's final audition was for the long-running soap opera ''

''. Her father, grandfather, and aunt had all previously starred in the serial. She originally auditioned for the role of Roxy Willis, but producers felt she was not right for the part and it eventually went to Zima Anderson. Donovan was also unsure about being able to portray Roxy having read the "raunchy" scripts. Producers later created the character of

and Donovan was cast in the role. Harlow's storyline resembled Donovan's own move from the UK to Australia. Of joining the cast, Donovan commented "I am so happy and very honoured to be a part of a series which has been enjoyed by generations. I really like my character Harlow. She is very headstrong, and I enjoy playing that type of character, who's not so intense, knows what she is doing and likes to get involved and Harlow seems to have those qualities." Donovan later admitted that she had not watched the show before she was cast. She made her debut as Harlow in July 2019. That same year, she also appeared in the spin-off series '' Neighbours: Erinsborough High''. In 2021, Donvoan returned to the UK to film a special storyline for her character, alongside Amanda Holden. Donovan's departure from ''Neighbours'' was confirmed in May 2022. She returned to the UK permanently after filming her final scenes, which were broadcast that July. In October 2022, Donovan joined the main cast of British soap opera '' Hollyoaks'' as

. Donovan's character is part of a new group of 20-somethings living in a share house, which harks back to the serial's student-focused earlier years. Rayne was billed as a "party girl" and "a social media sensation." Of her casting, Donovan stated "I am thrilled to be joining the cast of ''Hollyoaks''! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be able to bring something unique and fun to a new role and I can't wait to be a part of the ''Hollyoaks'' family." Donovan made her first appearance on 17 January 2023.

Filmography

* Source:

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Donovan, Jemma Living people 2000 births Actresses from London 21st-century English actresses English child actresses English television actresses English soap opera actresses English people of Australian descent