Frances Burnett (actress)

Frances Burnett is a British actress born in Catterick, North Yorkshire, England.

Early life

Frances Margaret Bennett was born at Catterick Garrison and grew up in Leeds, England. Her father was an RAF Pilot who flew the Avro Vulcan bombers. She attended Mount Mount St Mary's Catholic High School (Leeds) and Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, during her time at Notre Dame in 1993 she auditioned for the prestigious National Youth Theatre and was accepted as a member.

She moved to London in 1996 to study at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) for three years. When joining Equity (trade union) during her final year at LAMDA, she discovered that her original name was already taken, she changed her surname to Burnett, after the author Frances Hodgson Burnett who she was named after.

Career

At the age of 18 Frances joined the National Youth Theatre, the following year she performed as a soloist in their 1992 performance of Joan Littlewood’s Oh What a Lovely War!, with fellow cast member Chiwetel Ejiofor. The press night coincided with the 1992 Provisional Irish Republican Army ceasefire and was attended by the British Prime Minister John Major. The following year she performed in ‘Pippin’.

Some of Frances Burnett’s credits: BBC’s Doctors, ITV’s Where the Heart is, ZDF’s Rosamunde Pilcher ‘Eine Liebe im Herbst’, The Royal Court Theatre, E4 (Channel) The Great Love Swindle.

She’s has also worked on numerous advertising campaigns including News of the World, Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Morrisons Christmas, Birds Eye and Blighty (TV Channel). Frances has worked with some noted directors including John Hillcoat. She has also worked with musicians Natalie Imbruglia on her video ‘Counting Down the Days’ and Herbert Grönemeyer on his video ‘Du Bist Die’.

Personal

She met her partner, Stephen McCarty, in 2004 whilst filming ‘The Great Love Swindle’ series.

References