EastEnders star Harriet Thorpe, best known for playing Elaine Peacock on the BBC soap, has a famous sister who is also a well-known television actress. Harriet arrived in Walford as Elaine Peacock in May 2023 to reunite with her daughter Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright. Over the past three years, Elaine has gotten divorced, opened her own Bed and Breakfast, and enjoyed a romance with Ian Beale, portrayed by Adam Woodyatt.
Harriet Thorpe's Career Beyond EastEnders
Before joining EastEnders, the 69-year-old actress starred in numerous popular shows. She is famed for playing Carole Parkinson in the 1990s sitcom The Brittas Empire. Harriet also worked extensively with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, appearing in eight episodes of French and Saunders between 1987 and 2003 and portraying the recurring role of Fleur in Absolutely Fabulous from 1992 to 2012. Her other television credits include Alexei Sayle's Stuff, A Bit of Fry & Laurie, Casualty, Material Girl, Endeavour, Midsomer Murders, The Madame Blanc Mysteries, and The Bill. On the big screen, she appeared in films such as Calendar Girls and has performed extensively on stage at the Royal National Theatre and in London's West End.
Harriet Thorpe on Loose Women: Her Famous Sister
Appearing on Loose Women in 2024, Harriet discussed her childhood and revealed that she has a famous sister, Matilda Thorpe, who is also an actress. Speaking about her family's move to Los Angeles, Harriet said: "My sister and I, who is also an actress, Matilda Thorpe, we were little children at a normal state primary school. Do you remember the food? It was all sort of grey? Memories! Suddenly I was in Beverly Hills and we went to school and they had an ice cream machine. They had pizza and chocolate milk!"
Matilda Thorpe's Acting Career
Matilda Thorpe is best known for her role as Mandy Mosgrove in Desmond's from 1989 to 1994. She also played Mother in How to Be a Little Sod and Mandy in Porkpie. More recent roles include Claire Glass in Sick Note, Nina in One Life, and Auntie Melody in Back to Black, the biographical film about Amy Winehouse. Interestingly, Matilda appeared on EastEnders before her sister, playing Rachel Ford on the BBC One soap in 1998.
Family Background
Harriet and Matilda are the daughters of novelist Gillian Freeman, who wrote The Leather Boys, and Edward Thorpe, an actor, novelist, and ballet critic for the Evening Standard. Harriet married Howard Baker in 1989 and has two children, a son and a daughter. Her son, Jack Thorpe-Baker, also acted, starring in The Brittas Empire, Life is Sweet, and Ballet Shoes, which featured Emma Watson.
