Leanne Rowe (born 1982) is an English actress and singer, known for portraying Nancy in Oliver Twist, May Moss in Lilies and Baby in Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage.
Rowe is from Brentwood, Essex.[1] She has two older sisters and a brother.[2]
Rowe left school at the age of 16 to train as a dancer,[2] attending Laine Theatre Arts.[3] She graduated at the age of 19 with honours in musical theatre.[2][3] Rowe also studied Drama, and after graduating, chose to pursue a career in acting instead of dance.[4]
Rowe made her film and professional debut at the age of 12, playing Helen Burns in Franco Zeffirelli's Jane Eyre.[2] In 2005 she was chosen by Roman Polanski to play Nancy in his adaptation of Oliver Twist.[3] Her television credits include Boudica, The Famous Five and Where the Heart Is. She also played the lead role of May Moss in the Liverpool-set BBC One drama Lilies.[2]
Rowe's radio drama work includes Avoid London, Loving, Forget Me Not, One Chord Wonders, Roald Dahl's The Witches and To Sir with Love.[3]
Rowe made her West End debut in Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage, playing the lead role of Frances 'Baby' Houseman.[3] In 2009 she appeared in the revival of Victoria Wood's Talent at the Menier Chocolate Factory, playing Julie.[5]
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Famous Five | Harriet - Five on Finniston Farm (1996) |
TV series |
| 2003 | Boudica | Siora | Television film |
| 2004 | Where the Heart Is | Waitress - Stormy Weather (2004) |
TV series |
| 2007 | Lilies | May Moss | TV series |
| 2013 | Call the Midwife | Ruby Roberts | TV series |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Jane Eyre | Helen Burns | Feature film |
| 2005 | Oliver Twist | Nancy | Feature film |
| Year | Production | Venue | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage | Aldwych Theatre | Frances 'Baby' Houseman | Musical |
| 2009 | Talent | Menier Chocolate Factory | Julie | Musical / Play |
| 2011 | Lovesong | Warwick Arts Centre | Margaret | Frantic Assembly |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
