Karla-Simone Spence

Karla-Simone Spence (born 19 July 1996)[1] is a British actress. She is best known for her roles in the film Blue Story (2019) and the ITVX period drama The Confessions of Frannie Langton (2022). She also appeared in the BBC series Gold Digger (2019) and Wannabe (2018).

Karla-Simone Spence
Spence interviewed in 2019
Born (1996-07-19) 19 July 1996
Lambeth, London, England
OccupationActor
Years active2016–present
FamilyDjed Spence (brother)

Early life

Spence was born in South London. She is of Jamaican descent.[2] She found her love for acting when she was 11 years old after she starred as Joseph in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in her primary school's production.[3] Spence attended Haberdashers' Hatcham College in New Cross.[4] She is the older sister of English footballer Djed Spence.[5]

Career

Spence made her television debut in 2018 when she played Amber in the BBC Three short-form sitcom Wannabe.[6] The following year, she starred as Cali Okello in the BBC One miniseries Gold Digger[7] and one of the lead roles, Leah in the film Blue Story,[8] The film received critical acclaim and earned her nominations at the National Film Awards.

In August 2021, it was announced that Spence would star as the title role of Frannie Langton in the period drama The Confessions of Frannie Langton, an ITV adaptation of the novel of the same name by Sara Collins.[9] The limited series premiered on ITVX in December 2022 and in March 2023 on britbox and she has received critical acclaim for her performance.[10]

In April 2022, Spence made her professional stage debut in House of Ife at Bush Theatre.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Nine Nights Anna
2019 Blue Story Leah

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Wannabe Amber 4 episodes
2019 Gold Digger Cali Okello Miniseries; 6 episodes
2022 The Confessions of Frannie Langton Frannie Langton Title role, 4 episodes
2024 The Count of Monte Cristo

Stage
Year Title Role Notes
2022 House of Ife Aida Bush Theatre, London

Short film
Year Title Role Notes
2016 Ghosts in Time Eve Short film
2018 Sex Ed Student Short film

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2020 National Film Awards UK Best Actress Blue Story Nominated [11][12][13]
Best Newcomer Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Nominated

References
  1. Spence, Karla-Simone. "Birthday". Instagram.
  2. Vora, Hershil (2 May 2020). "Exclusive: Stephen Odubola And Karla-Simone Spence Talks "Blue Story"". The Knockturnal.
  3. "Karla-Simone Spence on jewels, acting and The Confessions of Frannie Langton". Something About Rocks Limited.
  4. Leake, Natasha (9 December 2022). "Tatler meets Karla-Simone Spence, Little Black Book It Girl and star of ITV's hottest new period drama". Tatler. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
  5. Karla-Simone Spence (26 December 2019). "Proud Big sister🦁❤️ The future is bright! SPENCE WOI YOii!!! #winninggoal #borofc". Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021 – via Instagram.
  6. "People Just Do Nothing star gets BBC 3 series". Televisual. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  7. Anderson, Hayley. "Gold Digger on BBC cast: Who is in the cast of Gold Digger?". Express.
  8. Galuppo, Mia. "Paramount, BBC Partner for 'Blue Story'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  9. White, Peter (11 August 2021). "'The Confessions of Frannie Langton': Karla-Simone Spence, Sophie Cookson & Patrick Martins To Star In ITV Period Drama". Deadline. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  10. Facey, Liv (12 December 2022). "The Confessions of Frannie Langton Review: Quality Drama with Mystery and Heart". Den of Geek.
  11. "2020 National Film Awards UK Nominations". National Film Awards UK.
  12. Kallon, Catherine. "Karla-Simone Spence Looked Divine In Ong-Oaj Pairam For The 'Blue Story' London Premiere". Red Carpet Fashion Awards.
  13. Kenigsberg, Ben. "Blue Story' Review". The New York Times.
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