Tiana Benjamin, the original actress behind EastEnders' Chelsea Fox, has built a varied career since leaving the soap in 2010. She played the role for four years, from 2006 to 2010, during which Chelsea became a fan favourite.
From Walford to the Big Screen
After departing Albert Square, Benjamin appeared in several television dramas. In 2015, she guest-starred in Casualty as Cheryl. Two years later, she featured in Holby City as Alice Dujon. She also played Bailey's mum Alison in The Dumping Ground in 2016, a spin-off of Tracy Beaker.
Benjamin's film credits include the 2011 sports drama Fast Girls, alongside Lily James and Lenora Critchlow. More recently, she starred in the 2019 films The Creatress and Absent.
Harry Potter Connection
Before her EastEnders fame, Benjamin portrayed Angela Johnson in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) and voiced the character in the video game adaptation. She reportedly left the Harry Potter series to focus on her role as Chelsea Fox.
Life After Soap Stardom
Benjamin has kept a low profile on social media but has attended Harry Potter comic conventions over the years. Her departure from EastEnders was announced in 2010, with Benjamin telling the Mirror: "I have had an amazing time at EastEnders. And this has been a very difficult decision but now seems the right time to move on and leave Chelsea behind, even though she's been such a fantastic character to play."
The character of Chelsea Fox returned to EastEnders in 2020, recast with actress Zaraah Abrahams, who continues to play the role.
Awards and Recognition
During her tenure, Benjamin earned multiple nominations for Sexiest Female at The Inside Soap Awards and British Soap Awards. Chelsea's storylines included a relationship with Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp), a cocaine addiction, imprisonment with step-brother Deano Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), and discovering her father Lucas Johnson (Don Gilet) was a murderer.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One.
