Maisie Smith

Maisie Louise Smith[1] (born 9 July 2001)[2] is an English actress and singer. She appeared in the feature film The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) and played the regular role of Tiffany Butcher in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2008 to 2014. In November 2016, Smith temporarily returned to EastEnders for a guest stint, before making a full-time return in January 2018.[3]

Maisie Smith
Born
Maisie Louise Smith

(2001-07-09) 9 July 2001
Westcliff, Essex, England
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2006–present

Career

Acting

Smith attended the Singer Stage School, in Leigh-on-Sea, for 18 months,[4] and in 2006, she was cast in the film The Other Boleyn Girl as a young Elizabeth I; the film was released in February 2008.[5][6] She then went on to portray the role of Tiffany Dean in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Smith made her first appearance on the soap on 1 April 2008, at age six, as the daughter of Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer). Her mother stated "The role is an exaggeration of her own personality, she's a little madam. A lively character both on and off screen. The difference is, she's told to pronounce her t's at home! She is not star-struck at all and has her feet very firmly on the ground. She is an extremely confident child and a great actress."[4] Smith's father said, "She gets recognised quite a lot when we go out as a family. It’s funny when you see people nudge each other and you can hear them saying, ‘Is that the girl off EastEnders?’" [7]

A few months after her casting, Smith said that she was loving being on EastEnders, telling the Echo (Essex) "I love being on EastEnders. I really get on with Patsy who plays my mum. She looks after me so well. It's like I'm her real daughter some days. Everyone is really nice. Pam St Clement, who plays Pat Butcher, is also really lovely to me. I’m glad I get to be cheeky and say some funny lines. I would never want to be a goody goody. It’s strange people point at me in the street now and ask if I’m the girl from EastEnders. All my friends think it’s great I’m on television. I think I will want to be an actress forever now."[7]

Digital Spy's Kris Green has said Smith is "brilliant" and "one...to watch", comparing her to Ellis Hollins, the award-winning child actor who plays Tom Cunningham in the Channel 4 teen soap opera Hollyoaks.[8] She has also been praised by stage school teacher Sandra Singer, who said, "Maisie has the most incredible memory and when it comes to script work she is fantastic. It is often very difficult for a six-year-old to act, but she handles it really well and adores it."[4]

In 2010, Smith was asked to appear on CITV's Bookaboo, and read the story 'Stinky' by Ian Whybrow. Smith told CITV "You have to be quiet in libraries which is really hard for me as I'm very loud. I would probably come last in a 'who can stay quiet the longest' competition!"[9]

In 2011, Smith was interviewed by The Stage magazine where she talked about her role in EastEnders. Smith said, "Sudden fame can be tricky when you are just out having fun and people keep wanting to take your photo, but the EastEnders people are very supportive and have said that we can politely say no in situations where we feel uncomfortable. I am very glad that my break came with EastEnders, as they are like a family who look after you. Working on the show has given me the chance to learn so much from the actors, especially those who are in my TV family. There are lots of things you can only learn from actually working on a set. The stage school I attend –also Singer Stage School – prepares you really well, but it is so different when you are actually there on set being filmed. Just a few things I have learned are how to read a script properly (not only my lines but stage directions and any acting I need to be doing in the background), how to work with adults in the workplace, which is very different from being at school, and lots of different words which I didn’t know before such as 'running up', 'turning', 'action' and 'cut'. As well as all of that, you need to be real by adding in some of your own character. I am quite a lively character in real life, so I do take that on to the set and they have got used to me and like me turning it into my Tiffany character. Perhaps my most useful lesson has been that while this is an amazing experience, whether you are famous or not, directors can be quite strict, so you must listen all the time and be punctual. Working to such a tight schedule can also mean very long days and I do get tired – but I still can’t wait to go back in the next time."[10] On 3 November 2016, Smith made a previously unannounced temporary return to EastEnders. Smith returned full-time in January 2018.[11]

Singing

In October 2016, it was announced Smith would be releasing her first single, "Good Thing".[12] Smith shot a music video accompanying the song at the Belt Craft studios and the song and video was uploaded to Smith's YouTube channel in November 2016.[13] Smith released her second single, "Where My Heart Is", in March 2017. Smith said a lot of her songs were about herself, so she "wanted to write a song that inspired others" and she hopes "that got across" and that it "manages to inspire those who listen".[14]

Personal life

Smith lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, with her mother Julia, father Stephen and sister Scarlett. Smith attended Belfairs Academy in Leigh-on-Sea and the Sandra Singer Stage School.[10] Smith currently attends South Essex College, where she is studying musical theatre.

Smith is a big fan of Doctor Who and has always said she would love to take part in it; David Tennant who played the Tenth Doctor from 2005-2010 is also one of her favourite actors.[7]

Awards

In May 2009, Smith won 'Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress' at the British Soap Awards.[15] In May 2010, Smith was nominated for the same award but lost out to Doctors star Ami Metcalf. In 2010 Smith was nominated for Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap Awards 2010, along with co-star Lorna Fitzgerald (Abi Branning), but lost to Coronation Street actor Alex Bain (Simon Barlow). In 2011 Smith was again shortlisted for the Best Young Actor award at the British Soap Awards, which was also won by Bain. In 2011 Smith was nominated and won Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap awards. Smith was nominated at the British Soap Awards in 2018 for 'Best Young Actor', but lost out to Isobel Steele who plays Liv Flaherty in Emmerdale.[16][17]

Filmography
Year Title Role
2008 The Other Boleyn Girl Young Elizabeth
2008–2014, 2016, 2018– EastEnders Tiffany Butcher
2010 EastEnders: Last Tango in Walford
As herself
Year Title Notes
2008 EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca
2009–2011 The British Soap Awards Award winner/nominee
2009 Children In Need EastEnders special
2010 EastEnders Live: The Aftermath Behind The Scenes special
2011 Bookaboo Guest star
2011 Comic Relief Guest star for EastEnders
2011 EastEnders Revealed "Whitney's Story"
2016 Loose Women "Episode dated 10 November 2016"

Discography

Extended plays
Title Details
Where My Heart It

Music videos
Title Year Director(s)
"Good Thing" 2016 Mark Potter
"Where My Heart Is" 2017
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gollark: Also various legal precedents.

References
  1. "Smith's full name is noted in her Instagram bio". 5 December 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018.
  2. McGarty, Shona [@ShonaBM] (9 July 2017). "Happy Birthday little sis. maisie_smith_ I can't believe your 16! Hope you had a wonderful day. Love you loads from me and RYAN" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 June 2018 – via Twitter.
  3. Lindsay, Duncan (23 November 2017). "EastEnders spoilers: Maisie Smith returns as Tiffany Butcher and brings trouble to Whitney Carter". Metro. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  4. "The new EastEnders". Echo (Basildon). 11 April 2008. Retrieved 18 March 2002.
  5. "Scarlett Johansson Set As 'The Other Boleyn Girl'". www.killermovies.com.
  6. "Who's Working" Archived 23 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Sandra Singer Associates. URL. Retrieved 19 March 2008.
  7. "Now little Maisie grabs limelight on telly soap". Echo (Basildon). 23 December 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  8. "The Jackson Five: I Want You Back". Digital Spy. 29 March 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2008.
  9. Goodman, Lucy. "Maisie Smith Bookaboo". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  10. Byrne, John (9 June 2011). "As a young performer in a high-profile role, how can I balance the increased attention with developing my craft?" (PDF). The Stage. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  11. Brown, David (23 November 2017). "Tiffany Butcher returns to EastEnders". Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  12. Dainty, Sophie (12 October 2016). "Exclusive: Former EastEnders star Maisie Smith is releasing a single - and you can listen to it here". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  13. Maisie Smith - Good Thing on YouTube
  14. Lindsay, Duncan (17 March 2017). "Maisie Smith on her new single, inspiring young people and whether she'll return to EastEnders". Metro. Retrieved 20 March 2017.
  15. Green, Kris; KilKelly, Daniel (10 May 2009). "British Soap Awards 2009: The Winners". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 May 2009.
  16. Kilkelly, Daniel (1 May 2018). "Coronation Street tops the British Soap Awards 2018 shortlist as the full nominations are revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  17. Kilkelly, Daniel (2 June 2018). "British Soap Awards 2018 winners updated live: Find out which of your favourite shows and stars won a trophy". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
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