Fans of classic whodunits and period drama have been treated to a fresh adaptation, with Netflix's release of Agatha Christie's Seven Dials. The British miniseries, filmed in the historic cities of Bath and Bristol, places actress Mia McKenna-Bruce squarely in the spotlight as the lead character, Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent.
From Tracy Beaker to BAFTA Stardom
Mia Sasha McKenna-Bruce, the 28-year-old English actress, first captured the public's attention as Tee Taylor in the beloved Tracy Beaker universe. Her portrayal spanned several series, including Tracy Beaker Returns and The Dumping Ground, after the character's debut in 2010.
Her career has since flourished on the big screen. Notable film credits include Persuasion and the critically acclaimed How to Have Sex. Her powerful performance in the latter earned her the prestigious BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2024 and a nomination for the European Film Award for Best Actress.
Born in 1997 and raised in Bromley, her artistic journey began with dance. Her very first professional role was as a ballet girl in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. Early television appearances included two guest stints in 2008 on EastEnders, where she played Penny Branning, the daughter of Jack Branning (Scott Maslen).
The Height Question & Life with a Famous Husband
Following her latest role, many viewers have been curious about the actress's stature. Mia McKenna-Bruce stands at 1.52 metres tall, or 4 feet 9 inches. She humorously addressed this in an interview with 1883 Magazine, recalling the challenges it presented while filming Persuasion alongside the much taller Ben Bailey Smith.
"We were both cast over Zoom, and they knew that Ben was tall and they knew that I was small, but Ben is really tall and I’m really small," she said. "Bless the camera team because they were always like, 'How do we get them both in the shot together?'"
In her personal life, Mia is married to actor Tom Leach. The couple first met in 2019 on the set of the film The Rebels, got engaged in February 2022, and tied the knot in August 2024. Tom has had guest roles in series such as Silent Witness and Casualty.
Mia shared the charming details of his proposal with British Vogue, revealing he presented her with a breakfast of crumpets and a card asking, "Are you ready to get married, yes or no?" She joked that she never actually ticked the 'yes' box, being too excited.
Motherhood & A New Perspective on Career
The couple welcomed their first child, a son named Leo, in August 2023. Mia has spoken openly about how motherhood has transformed her outlook on her successful career. During an appearance on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, she expressed a renewed passion for her work.
"I love, love, love my work. But now I love it for a whole different reason," she explained. "This is going to give me the chance to travel with Leo, it’s going to give him such amazing experiences." She added that she hopes he will one day look back and think, "Oh my God, my mum was at the BAFTAs and I was like six months old."
Agatha Christie's Seven Dials, starring Mia McKenna-Bruce, is available to stream on Netflix now.
