Kitty Castledine
Kitty Castledine is an English actress. Castledine is known for portraying the role of Penny Branning on the BBC soap opera EastEnders.
Early life and education
Kitty Castledine was born on 22 August 2002 in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, the daughter of former professional footballer Stewart Castledine and TV presenter Lucy Alexander. She is also the sister of Leo Castledine, who plays for Middlesbrough. In 2010 when she was seven, Castledine was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, which left her paralysed from her waist down, following a virus.Castledine trained at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Career
In 2021, Castledine was cast in The Break as Katy for one episode, which was Castledine's first acting role. In 2023, Castledine was cast for the role of Maggie in a short film Monotropa. In 2024, Castledine was cast in a TV series Grace as Emma Brice for one episode.In 2024, Castledine took over the role of Penny Branning from Mia McKenna-Bruce on the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Castledine's storylines on the soap have included sneaking illegal substances into the country and framing Lauren Branning, a relationship with Harry Mitchell, a feud with Chelsea Fox after Chelsea was fired by Phil Mitchell and Penny replaced her in the job, and her involvement in the crush at Peggy's. Castledine opened up on Penny's disability and challenges in Albert Square, saying: "Not everything is accessible in life. And it's awful; it needs to change." Castledine also spoke out to the Daily Mirror adding: "It's really important that disability is visible on screen, because there hasn't been a lot of representation, and I'm proud to be someone representing disability."