Eve Myles, the Welsh actor best known for her roles in Torchwood and Keeping Faith, has reflected on her early life and career, saying that being told she wasn't a 'typical leading lady' helped her embrace her uniqueness. In an interview, she recalled a childhood obsession with makeup and a love of storytelling that set her on the path to acting.
Born in 1978 in Ystradgynlais, Wales, Myles grew up in a mining village after her parents separated when she was three. She described a close-knit community where 'the door is always open' and found escapism in culture, particularly after seeing Starlight Express in London. 'I felt as if someone had turned on a switch and set me alight,' she said.
Myles trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, encouraged by teachers who told her the industry was for anyone who worked hard. She landed her first major role in the BBC Wales drama Belonging before becoming a household name as Gwen Cooper in Torchwood. She later won acclaim for her lead role in the thriller Keeping Faith.
Reflecting on her career, Myles said she was told early on that she wasn't the typical leading lady. 'Now I realise my idiosyncrasies are what make me authentic,' she explained. She stars in ITV's drama series The Hack this autumn. Myles lives in Cardiff with her husband, actor Bradley Freegard, and their three daughters.
