Isabelle Smith, who plays troubled teen Frankie Osborne in Hollyoaks, has spoken candidly about living with endometriosis while filming some of the soap's most intense scenes. The 23-year-old actress, who joined the show in January 2024, says the condition affects her every day, despite undergoing surgery to treat it nearly three years ago.
Before landing her breakthrough role, Smith was working on supermarket checkouts. Her rapid rise has seen her win Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards and earn a nomination for Best Dramatic Performance at the 2025 British Soap Awards, which takes place on 31 May. She described her journey as a 'whirlwind' and admitted she never expected such success.
Smith, who had a laparoscopy at 21, revealed that her symptoms have not improved and she still struggles with chronic fatigue and pain. 'When I'm filming long days, sometimes I come home and I just go straight to sleep because my body's so exhausted,' she said. She manages by keeping snacks to maintain blood sugar, carrying a hot water bottle and ibuprofen, and ensuring she takes rest days.
The actress also spoke about learning to prioritise her health, saying she sometimes feels 'useless and helpless' when she has to say no to plans. Her boyfriend, Adam Seel, and their adopted cat provide support at their home in Manchester, with Smith often calling him during her drive back from filming in Liverpool to de-stress.
Viewers will see Frankie's sexual exploitation storyline develop as her parents Darren and Nancy search for her after she is taken hostage by the gang grooming her. Smith described the scenes as 'harrowing' but stressed the importance of shining a light on such issues, noting that they 'do happen in real life'.
