Hubbry Logo
Amanda MealingAmanda MealingMain
Open search
Amanda Mealing
Community hub
Amanda Mealing
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Amanda Mealing
Amanda Mealing
from Wikipedia

Amanda Jane Mealing (born 22 April 1967) is an English actress, director and producer, known for portraying the role of Connie Beauchamp in the BBC medical dramas Holby City and Casualty.[3]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

The only adopted member of her family, Mealing was the youngest of four children, with two sisters and an elder brother.[4] She grew up in Dulwich, South London, with her adoption being a secret.[4] Although very much part of a strong and loving family, she was always aware that she looked nothing like her siblings and was left feeling that she did not quite fit in.[4] Despite a yearning to know more about her biological parents, Mealing was concerned that looking for them would upset her family.[4] When she was 15 years old, Mealing's brother died after using heroin. Although Stephen was 14 years her senior, they were very close and it affected her deeply. Realising that "life can be short ... there's no point sitting around", she was influenced to "do stuff".[4]

Career

[edit]

Originally known as Mandy Mealing, her first professional performance was in a Julie Andrews special on BBC television at the age of six. She then started Saturday classes at the Italia Conti Academy, before enrolling full-time at the age of nine. Parts in Just William, The Morecambe & Wise Show and Premiere followed, before she was cast as comprehensive-school pupil Tracy Edwards in Phil Redmond's long-running BBC One children's drama series Grange Hill.[4]

Mealing appeared in The Darling Buds of May, Four Weddings and a Funeral, In Deep, Capital City, The Bill, Midsomer Murders, and Delise in the 1990 mini series The Gravy Train. She appeared in the TV miniseries, Jake's Progress, as Robert Lindsay's love interest, in 1995. She played Ruth Manning in the first series of Russell T Davies' 1920s period drama series The Grand in 1997, and JoJo in Jimmy McGovern's The Lakes in 1999. Alan Bleasdale wrote the part of Katie in "Jake's Progress" for Amanda after working with her on GBH.[citation needed]

Mealing appeared as cardiothoracic consultant Connie Beauchamp in BBC One's medical drama series Holby City from 1 June 2004[5] to 28 December 2010, announcing her decision to quit Holby City in October 2010.[6]

On 16 July 2010, Mealing appeared on ITV's The Five O'Clock Show with Jason Donovan and Corrine Bailey Rae. In 2011, Mealing appeared in the Sky1 series Strike Back: Project Dawn as Colonel Eleanor Grant. In 2013, Mealing appeared in an episode of the BBC series Death in Paradise. Mealing also appeared in the latest series of ITV's Law and Order: UK playing a solicitor. On 29 March 2014, Mealing reprised her role as Connie Beauchamp in Holby City's sister show Casualty.[7] After seven years on Casualty, she announced in March 2021 that she would be taking an "extended break" from the series, but confirmed that she would return in the future.[8]

Directing

[edit]

On 26 February 2016, when being interviewed on This Morning, Mealing was asked about directing, and about her directing three episodes of Casualty. She also directed a short film titled Another Man's Shoes.[9] In 2019, Mealing directed an episode of the CBBC series The Dumping Ground.[10] In 2021, while on her extended break from Casualty, Mealing joined the ITV soap opera Coronation Street as a director.[11]

On 20 April 2022, Mealing announced via Instagram she has joined Waterloo Road as a director.[12]

Personal life

[edit]

Relationships and children

[edit]

Mealing has been married to screenwriter Richard Sainsbury since 1998, they have two sons, Otis and Milo. The family originally lived on a farm in Lincolnshire,[13] but when filming of Casualty moved to Cardiff from Bristol, the family relocated to South Wales. Paul O'Grady was a close friend of Mealing and, alongside Charlie Condou, was a godfather to her sons. She has appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show on several occasions, sometimes with her sons. Mealing is the godmother of TV presenter Miquita Oliver.[14]

After the birth of her first son, the desire to find out more about her background became "hard to ignore"; she also wanted him to "know his heritage".[4] Investigations took Mealing to New York, where she eventually found her birth mother, a model for Biba in London during the swinging sixties.[4] She discovered that her biological father was a half-Ghanaian poet and activist.[4] She gets on well with her mother and takes the children to visit her in New York but her father died some years earlier.[4] She also found out that she has a sister, a year younger, also adopted in Britain.[4] Her sister did not know of the relationship until she was 16, but had watched Mealing in Grange Hill, with people saying 'you look like that girl on TV'. Now close, when they first met their similarities were unbelievable — "we talk the same, walk the same, even our actions are the same". With a desire to reconnect with her roots and acknowledge her father, and as an ambassador, Mealing has worked with Save the Children in Sierra Leone. She filmed a documentary about Kroo Bay — a slum built on the rubbish discarded by Freetown — saying: "It's the worst place in the world you could grow up as child. One child in four will die before they reach five years old."[4]

Health

[edit]

The day after giving birth to her second son, Mealing was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2002.[15] Mealing was asked to be an ambassador for Breast Cancer Care in early 2010. She has developed a close bond with the charity. "When I was diagnosed the first leaflet I received was from Breast Cancer Care. They have been there for me ever since. I am deeply honoured to be given a chance to give something back to them." After losing a close friend to breast cancer early the same year Amanda decided to dedicate a JustGiving page to raise money in memory of her friend. She ran the 2012 London Marathon on her 45th birthday for Breast Cancer Care.[16]

Car collision

[edit]

Mealing was involved in a three-vehicle collision on the A1175 near Hop Pole, Lincolnshire, on 26 January 2024. At a hearing at Boston Magistrates' Court on 14 March 2025, she pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of drugs, having tested positive for cocaine and benzoylecgonine in a roadside test. She also pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention. Mealing was banned from driving for 22 months, fined £485 and ordered to pay £400 in court costs and a surcharge of £194.[17][18]

Charity

[edit]

Since 2015, Mealing has been a Patron to the Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes.[19]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Roles Notes
1980 Grange Hill Tracy Edwards TV series
1985 Relative Strangers Amanda TV series
1990 Capital City Fiorella TV series
1990 The Gravy Train Delise TV miniseries
1992 Anglo-Saxon Attitudes Elvira Portway TV miniseries
1992 The House of Eliott Jessie Christy TV series
1994 Grushko Tanya TV miniseries
1994 Requiem Apache Marilyn TV movie
1994 Blood on the Dole Laura TV movie
1994 Four Weddings and a Funeral Naughty Nicki – Wedding Two Film
1995 The Detectives Emily Ford TV series
1995 Jake's Progress Kate TV series
1997 The Grand Ruth Manning TV series
1997 The Girl with Brains in Her Feet Vivienne Jones Film
1999 The Lakes Jo Jo Spiers TV series
2001 Midsomer Murders Sally Boulter Episode: "Electric Vendetta"
2001 In Deep Anee-Marie Griffin Series 1
2004–2010, 2014, 2016, 2019 Holby City Connie Beauchamp TV series
2004–2005, 2007, 2014–2021 Casualty Connie Beauchamp Guest (2004–2007)
Main role; also directed 4 episodes (2016–2022)
2004 Lie With Me Carolyn Henson TV miniseries
2005 Zemanovaload Dr. Zemekis Film
2011 Strike Back: Project Dawn Colonel Eleanor Grant TV series
2013 Death in Paradise Eloise Morrison TV series
2014 Still Rachel Film
2016 Bucky Newsreader Short film
2017 Retribution Captain Whittard Film
2019 The Dumping Ground Director: "Reunion" (series 7, episode 22)
2021 Coronation Street Director: 3 episodes
2023 Waterloo Road Director: Series 11, episode 5 and Series 12, episode 2

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Amanda Jane Mealing (born 22 April 1967) is an English actress and best known for her long-running portrayal of the cardiothoracic consultant in the medical dramas (2004–2010) and Casualty (2014–2021). Born in , , Mealing began her acting career at the age of six, appearing in a 1973 Christmas special hosted by on , after which her parents enrolled her at the Academy of Theatre Arts on a 90% scholarship. Her first major television role came in 1980 as a pupil in the children's series , marking the start of a prolific career that included guest appearances in shows such as The Detectives and The Lakes, as well as a supporting role in the 1994 romantic comedy film . Mealing's breakthrough came with the role of , a character she first played in before crossing over to its parent series Casualty, where her performance earned her nominations for a Award in 2018 and a National Television Award in 2005. In 2017, she was reported as the BBC's highest-paid actress, earning between £250,000 and £299,999 annually for her work on these series. Transitioning behind the camera, Mealing has directed episodes of Casualty, , and the 2023 revival of Waterloo Road, and as of 2024, she is developing a project titled Invisible exploring the challenges faced by actresses over 50. In her , Mealing married showbusiness agent Richard Sainsbury in 1998, with whom she has two sons, Milo and Otis; the couple separated in 2023, and as of 2025, the proceedings continue. She has been open about her 2002 diagnosis, which she overcame after treatment, and in recent years has faced additional health challenges including a blood cancer diagnosis revealed in 2025. Mealing continues to appear in guest roles, including as Lady Violet in the 2024 series .

Early life

Family background

Amanda Mealing was born on 22 April 1967 in , , . She was adopted shortly after birth as the only adopted child in her family, becoming the youngest of four siblings, which included two sisters and an elder brother named . Mealing learned she was adopted at the age of 30. Mealing was raised in a loving family environment in their home in , , where her adoptive parents were supportive. This period of her childhood was marked by close familial bonds, particularly with her brother , who was 14 years her senior and shared a special connection with her despite the age gap. However, at age 18, Mealing experienced profound early family trauma when Stephen died at 32 from a overdose, an accidental tragedy that deeply affected her and the household.

Education

Mealing's entry into formal performing arts education began early, fueled by an initial spark in . At the age of six, she secured her first professional role in a 1973 special, marking her debut as a performer and igniting her passion for the industry. Following this breakthrough, her parents supported her burgeoning talent by enrolling her in Saturday classes at the Academy of Theatre Arts, London's esteemed institution for stage and screen training founded in 1911. By age nine, Mealing had earned a 90% scholarship, allowing her to attend full-time and specialize in and , where the curriculum integrated practical workshops in script interpretation, character development, and stage presence. The academy provided crucial early exposure to professional opportunities through its industry placements, enabling Mealing to undertake initial commercial work as a performer in television productions. During her teenage years at , she honed essential skills in , , and voice training, engaging in rigorous classes that included routines, vocal techniques for projection and expression, and theatrical to build versatility for live and screen .

Career

Acting

Mealing began her acting career as a child, debuting professionally at the age of six in a television special on in 1973. She continued with minor television appearances throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, including roles in series such as , Murphy's Mob, and notably as Tracy Edwards, a school pupil, in the children's drama in 1980. These early credits established her presence in British television, though primarily in supporting capacities. Transitioning to adult roles in the early , Mealing appeared as Cynthia McCracken in the 1992 episode "Le Grand Weekend" of the ITV period comedy-drama The Darling Buds of May. Her film debut followed in 1994 with the role of Naughty Nicki, a guest at the second wedding, in the . These parts marked her shift toward more varied ensemble work in both television and cinema during the decade. Mealing achieved her breakthrough in medical dramas with the introduction of , a consultant cardiothoracic known for her ambitious and authoritative demeanor. She first portrayed the character as a regular in from 2004 to 2010. The role extended to sister series Casualty, where Connie appeared sporadically from 2004 to 2007, before Mealing returned as a regular from 2014 to 2021. This long-term commitment to the interconnected medical universe solidified her as a prominent figure in the genre, emphasizing complex character arcs involving professional rivalries and personal vulnerabilities. Following her departure from Casualty, Mealing took on guest roles in other established series, including entertainer Eloise Morrison, a murder suspect, in the 2013 episode "Murder Onboard" of . She appeared in in the 2001 episode "The Electric Vendetta" and recently portrayed the aristocratic Lady Violet in the 2024 Father Brown installment "The Quill of Osric." In 2025, she appeared in the Channel 5 series . For her portrayal of , Mealing garnered critical recognition, including a nomination for Most Popular Newcomer at the 2005 , a nod for at the 2008 TV Quick Awards, and nominations for in both 2016 and 2018. Later, she briefly transitioned into directing episodes of Casualty while continuing her acting pursuits.

Directing

Mealing transitioned into directing in the mid-2010s, marking a significant evolution in her career behind the camera while maintaining her on-screen presence in medical dramas. Her directorial debut came in 2016 with episodes of Casualty, including the Series 31 installment "Night of the Loving Dead," where she helmed scenes on the familiar Hospital set, overlapping briefly with her acting role as . She followed this with additional episodes in Series 32, demonstrating her ability to balance performance and direction within the high-stakes environment of BBC's long-running medical series. Building on this foundation, Mealing expanded her television directing portfolio to other BBC productions, showcasing versatility across genres. In 2017, she began contributing to The Dumping Ground, directing episodes such as the 2019 Series 7 opener "Reunion," which explored themes of family and resilience among young characters in care. Her work extended to the revival of Waterloo Road in Series 11 (2023), where she directed Episode 5, contributing to storylines that earned a nomination for Best Continuing Drama Storyline at the RTS North West Awards 2023. By the early 2020s, Mealing took on episodes of Coronation Street, including 2021's Episodes 10410 and 10411, which delved into community tensions and personal crises in the iconic soap. Beyond directing, Mealing has engaged in producing select projects, including short films like Another Man's Shoes (2017), where she served as producer to amplify narratives on and perspective. In 2020, she advocated for greater opportunities for women in the industry through BAFTA's initiative, offering practical tips on networking, resilience, and breaking barriers drawn from her own experiences as a female director in male-dominated television production. As of 2024, Mealing is developing a project titled Invisible exploring the challenges faced by actresses over 50. This involvement underscores her commitment to fostering the next generation of female creatives in entertainment.

Personal life

Relationships and children

Amanda Mealing married Richard Sainsbury on 2 July 1998. As of 2025, the couple was undergoing divorce proceedings. The couple has two sons: Milo James, born in 1999, and Otis Joe, born in 2002. Following their marriage, Mealing and Sainsbury relocated from to a farm in in the early 2000s, seeking a quieter rural life while raising their young family. Later, when production of Casualty shifted from to around 2011, the family moved to to accommodate her filming commitments. Mealing has spoken about the challenges of balancing her acting career with responsibilities, particularly after accumulating approximately £10,000 in debt during the due to extravagant spending on holidays and designer clothes despite steady earnings from roles in shows like . Sainsbury helped pay off the debts, after which the couple adopted a frugal approach, living within their means amid the uncertainties of the entertainment industry; Mealing emphasized teaching their sons the value of money, such as requiring Milo to earn allowance through household chores for purchases like sets. Her own adoptive background has subtly influenced her , fostering a strong emphasis on stability and openness in their household.

Health

In 1997, at the age of 30, Amanda Mealing discovered she was adopted during a when a drunkenly revealed the secret, which had been kept from her throughout her upbringing. This revelation prompted a 20-year search for her biological roots, during which she traveled to New York and learned that her birth mother was a model for in during the , while her biological father was a half-Ghanaian and activist who had died years earlier. Mealing described the initial disclosure as bringing a mix of shock and relief, though she initially worried it might strain her relationship with her adoptive ; she ultimately pursued the search with their eventual support, finding closure in connecting with her birth mother. Mealing was diagnosed with in August 2002, just 24 hours after giving birth to her second son, and underwent a unilateral , followed by and radiotherapy. By 2010, she had been declared cancer-free and became an ambassador for Breast Cancer Care to raise awareness about the disease. The diagnosis and treatment took a profound emotional toll, leading to (PTSD) that resurfaced years later, for which she sought therapy to manage anxiety, flashbacks, and fears of recurrence; her husband and family provided crucial support throughout her recovery. This experience, compounded by the adoption revelation, deepened her appreciation for family bonds and inspired her brief involvement in cancer-related charities. In March 2025, during legal proceedings related to a driving offense, Mealing's solicitor disclosed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing ongoing treatment, marking her second major health battle. In January 2024, Amanda Mealing was involved in a three-vehicle collision on the A1175 near Hop Pole, , when her drifted across the road and crashed into an oncoming Skoda driven by nurse Mark Le Sage, aged 58, at approximately 10:14 a.m. Mealing had consumed earlier that morning at a friend's house, resulting in 18 micrograms of the per of —more than three times the legal limit of 10 micrograms—leading to her vehicle veering onto the wrong side of the road and causing the impact. The collision left Le Sage unconscious with serious injuries, including life-changing physical and psychological effects, while Mealing sustained a cut to her head, a broken , and a broken collarbone. On 14 March 2025, at Boston Magistrates' Court, Mealing pleaded guilty to drug- and without due care and attention, marking her first such offense. She was sentenced to a 22-month disqualification, a £485 fine and court costs, and required to complete rehabilitation courses, with the court noting the incident's severity despite her clean prior record. The case drew public attention due to the victim's ongoing recovery challenges and Mealing's prominence in medical dramas like Casualty. Through her legal representative, Mealing expressed profound for the incident, describing it as an aberration driven by personal stress related to her health struggles, and emphasized her commitment to making amends with the victim. Her solicitor highlighted that she had no history of drug use or prior convictions, framing the event as a one-time lapse amid broader life pressures.

Charity work

Amanda Mealing has been actively involved in charitable causes, particularly those related to health, water access, and child welfare, drawing from her personal experiences to advocate for vulnerable communities. Since the , she has served as an ambassador for , supporting efforts to provide clean water and sanitation worldwide. In 2019, Mealing traveled to with the organization to promote the Water Effect appeal, which focuses on installing clean water facilities in health centers to improve maternal and child health outcomes; during the visit, she witnessed midwives spending hours fetching water, which detracted from patient care, and described the experience as both heartbreaking and inspiring. Her commitment continued through initiatives like the 2020 Just Water challenge, where she encouraged participants to abstain from caffeinated and alcoholic drinks while fundraising for WaterAid's clean water projects. Following her 2002 breast cancer diagnosis, Mealing became an ambassador for Breast Cancer Care (now part of Now), using her survivor story to raise awareness and support others facing the disease. She has shared personal accounts of her treatment and subsequent through podcasts and campaigns, emphasizing early detection and emotional support for patients and families. In 2013, she ran the London Marathon to fundraise for the charity in memory of a friend who passed away from breast cancer in 2010, raising nearly £10,000 to support research and care services. Mealing has also made radio appeals on behalf of the organization, highlighting its role in providing practical and emotional assistance during treatment. Mealing's philanthropy extends to child welfare through her role as a Save the Children ambassador since 2008, motivated by her adoption background and a desire to honor her Ghanaian heritage after learning about her biological father's roots. She has participated in campaigns like "No Child Born to Die" in 2011, advocating for vaccinations and healthcare in developing countries, and visited sites such as Freetown's Kroo Bay slum in and slums to spotlight issues like child exploitation and lack of medical access. Her efforts include speaking at political conferences and supporting aid projects, such as those addressing climate change impacts on children. In 2020, Mealing contributed to diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry by participating in BAFTA Connects, a program pairing emerging female creatives in , television, and games with established professionals to foster equal opportunities. She offered guidance based on her decades of experience, aiming to empower the next generation to advocate for greater female representation in leadership roles like directing and producing.

Filmography

Film roles

Mealing made her feature film debut in the Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), directed by Mike Newell, where she portrayed Naughty Nicki, a minor ensemble character in one of the wedding scenes, contributing to the film's iconic depiction of British social rituals. In 1997, she appeared in the independent British drama The Girl with Brains in Her Feet, a set in , playing a supporting role as the protagonist's mother Vivienne Jones, highlighting her early versatility in smaller-scale productions. Mealing took on a lead role in the 2005 sci-fi thriller Zemanovaload, directed by Steve Zeitchik, as Dr. Zemekis, a entangled in a involving alien technology, marking one of her ventures into genre . She starred as in the 2015 psychological Still, directed by David Loftus, alongside , portraying a complex character navigating grief and suspicion in a story of unresolved murder, which premiered at the London Festival. In the 2016 action thriller Retribution, Mealing played Captain Whittard, a determined pursuing a debt collector on a violent rampage through , delivering a performance noted for its intensity in this low-budget British feature.

Television roles

Mealing's early television appearances included guest roles in several British series during the 1980s and 1990s. She played Tracey Edwards in the children's drama in 1980. In 1992, she portrayed Cynthia McCracken in the episode "Le Grand Weekend" of the ITV series The Darling Buds of May. Other early guest spots encompassed roles in (1984 and 1999), The Detectives (1995) as Emily Ford, and The Lakes as Jo Spiers (1997–1998). She also appeared as Sally Boulter in the 2001 episode "The Electric Vendetta" of . Mealing gained prominence in medical dramas through her portrayal of cardiothoracic consultant Connie Beauchamp. She first appeared as the character in three episodes of Casualty in 2004–2007. From 2004 to 2010, she played Connie as a regular in Holby City, appearing in 172 episodes and earning a British Soap Award nomination for Best Actress in 2009. Mealing reprised the role in guest capacity for Holby City episodes in 2014, 2016, and 2019. She returned to Casualty as the lead Connie Beauchamp from 2014 to 2021, featuring in 144 episodes and contributing to storylines involving personal and professional challenges for the character. In the 2010s, Mealing took on several guest and recurring roles in other series. She portrayed Colonel Eleanor Grant in 10 episodes of Strike Back during its second season in 2011. In 2013, she appeared as Eleanor Flint in the episode "Paternal" of Law & Order: UK. That same year, she played the suspect Eloise Morrison in the Death in Paradise episode "Murder Onboard". Mealing continued with guest appearances into the 2020s. In 2024, she portrayed Lady Violet in the Father Brown episode "The Quill of Osric" from series 11. As of November 2025, her most recent television acting role is a guest appearance in a special episode of the Channel 5 crime drama Good Ship Murder, filmed in Malta earlier that year. No major series commitments have been announced following her departure from Casualty in 2021.
Year(s)SeriesRoleNotes
1980Tracey EdwardsRecurring, series 3
1984, 1999VariousGuest appearances
1992The Darling Buds of MayCynthia McCracken1 episode ("Le Grand Weekend")
1995The DetectivesEmily Ford1 episode ("On Thin Ice")
1997–1998The LakesJo SpiersRecurring
2001Sally Boulter1 episode ("The Electric Vendetta")
2004–2007Casualty3 episodes (guest)
2004–2010Holby City172 episodes (regular)
2011Strike BackColonel Eleanor Grant10 episodes (recurring)
2013Law & Order: UKEleanor Flint1 episode ("Paternal")
2013Eloise Morrison1 episode ("Murder Onboard")
2014, 2016, 2019Holby CityGuest appearances
2014–2021Casualty144 episodes (lead)
2024Lady Violet1 episode ("The Quill of Osric")
2025UndisclosedSpecial episode (guest)

Directing credits

Amanda Mealing's directing credits encompass a range of television episodes and one , spanning from 2016 to 2023.

Short films

  • Another Man's Shoes (2017)

Television episodes

Casualty (BBC One)

  • Series 31 (2016)
  • Series 32 (2017)
  • Series 36 (2021–2022)

The Dumping Ground (CBBC)

  • Multiple episodes (2017–2020), including "Reunion" (Series 7, Episode 22, 2019)

Coronation Street (ITV)

  • Three episodes (2021)

Waterloo Road (BBC One)

  • Series 11, Episode 5 (2023)
  • Series 12, Episode 2 (2023)

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.