Maisie Smith
Maisie Louise Smith is an English actress and singer. She appeared in the feature film The Other Boleyn Girl and played the regular role of Tiffany Butcher in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2008 to 2014. In November 2016, Smith temporarily returned to EastEnders for a guest stint, before making a full-time return in January 2018.
Career
Acting
Smith attended the Singer Stage School, in Leigh-on-Sea, for 18 months, and in 2006, she was cast in the film The Other Boleyn Girl as a young Elizabeth I; the film was released in February 2008. She then went on to portray the role of Tiffany Dean in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Smith made her first appearance on the soap on 1 April 2008, at age six, as the daughter of Bianca Jackson. Her mother stated "The role is an exaggeration of her own personality, she's a little madam. A lively character both on and off screen. The difference is, she's told to pronounce her t's at home! She is not star-struck at all and has her feet very firmly on the ground. She is an extremely confident child and a great actress." Smith's father said, "She gets recognised quite a lot when we go out as a family. It’s funny when you see people nudge each other and you can hear them saying, ‘Is that the girl off EastEnders?’"A few months after her casting, Smith said that she was loving being on EastEnders, telling the Echo "I love being on EastEnders. I really get on with Patsy who plays my mum. She looks after me so well. It's like I'm her real daughter some days. Everyone is really nice. Pam St Clement, who plays Pat Butcher, is also really lovely to me. I’m glad I get to be cheeky and say some funny lines. I would never want to be a goody goody. It’s strange people point at me in the street now and ask if I’m the girl from EastEnders. All my friends think it’s great I’m on television. I think I will want to be an actress forever now."
Digital Spy's Kris Green has said Smith is "brilliant" and "one...to watch", comparing her to Ellis Hollins, the award-winning child actor who plays Tom Cunningham in the Channel 4 teen soap opera Hollyoaks. She has also been praised by stage school teacher Sandra Singer, who said, "Maisie has the most incredible memory and when it comes to script work she is fantastic. It is often very difficult for a six-year-old to act, but she handles it really well and adores it."
In 2010, Smith was asked to appear on CITV's Bookaboo, and read the story 'Stinky' by Ian Whybrow. Smith told CITV "You have to be quiet in libraries which is really hard for me as I'm very loud. I would probably come last in a 'who can stay quiet the longest' competition!"
In 2011, Smith was interviewed by The Stage magazine where she talked about her role in EastEnders. Smith said, "Sudden fame can be tricky when you are just out having fun and people keep wanting to take your photo, but the EastEnders people are very supportive and have said that we can politely say no in situations where we feel uncomfortable. I am very glad that my break came with EastEnders, as they are like a family who look after you. Working on the show has given me the chance to learn so much from the actors, especially those who are in my TV family. There are lots of things you can only learn from actually working on a set. The stage school I attend –also Singer Stage School – prepares you really well, but it is so different when you are actually there on set being filmed. Just a few things I have learned are how to read a script properly, how to work with adults in the workplace, which is very different from being at school, and lots of different words which I didn’t know before such as 'running up', 'turning', 'action' and 'cut'. As well as all of that, you need to be real by adding in some of your own character. I am quite a lively character in real life, so I do take that on to the set and they have got used to me and like me turning it into my Tiffany character. Perhaps my most useful lesson has been that while this is an amazing experience, whether you are famous or not, directors can be quite strict, so you must listen all the time and be punctual. Working to such a tight schedule can also mean very long days and I do get tired – but I still can’t wait to go back in the next time." On 3 November 2016, Smith made a previously unannounced temporary return to EastEnders. Smith returned full-time in January 2018.
Singing
In October 2016, it was announced Smith would be releasing her first single, "Good Thing". Smith shot a music video accompanying the song at the Belt Craft studios and the song and video was uploaded to Smith's YouTube channel in November 2016. Smith released her second single, "Where My Heart Is", in March 2017. Smith said a lot of her songs were about herself, so she "wanted to write a song that inspired others" and she hopes "that got across" and that it "manages to inspire those who listen".Personal life
Smith lives in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, with her mother Julia, father Stephen and sister Scarlett. Smith attended Belfairs Academy in Leigh-on-Sea and the Sandra Singer Stage School. Smith currently attends South Essex College, where she is studying musical theatre.Smith is a big fan of Doctor Who and has always said she would love to take part in it; David Tennant who played the Tenth Doctor from 2005-2010 is also one of her favourite actors.
Awards
In May 2009, Smith won 'Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress' at the British Soap Awards. In May 2010, Smith was nominated for the same award but lost out to Doctors star Ami Metcalf. In 2010 Smith was nominated for Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap Awards 2010, along with co-star Lorna Fitzgerald, but lost to Coronation Street actor Alex Bain. In 2011 Smith was again shortlisted for the Best Young Actor award at the British Soap Awards, which was also won by Bain. In 2011 Smith was nominated and won Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap awards. Smith was nominated at the British Soap Awards in 2018 for 'Best Young Actor', but lost out to Isobel Steele who plays Liv Flaherty in Emmerdale.Filmography
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2008 | EastEnders: Ricky and Bianca | |
| 2009–2011 | The British Soap Awards | Award winner/nominee |
| 2009 | Children In Need | EastEnders special |
| 2010 | EastEnders Live: The Aftermath | Behind The Scenes special |
| 2011 | Bookaboo | Guest star |
| 2011 | Comic Relief | Guest star for EastEnders |
| 2011 | EastEnders Revealed | "Whitney's Story" |
| 2016 | Loose Women | "Episode dated 10 November 2016" |