Lorraine Stanley


Lorraine Marie Stanley is a British actress from Portsmouth, England, known for playing Kelly in the 2006 film London to Brighton and Karen Taylor in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Early life

Lorraine Marie Stanley was born on 28 June 1976 in Portsmouth, the daughter of June, and David Stanley. She was brought up in Portsmouth by her parents, who divorced when she was ten years old. She has Scottish, English and Polish ancestry from her father and mother respectively. She then trained at London's Arts Educational Schools.

Career

Stanley made her acting debut in 2000, when she appeared in the crime drama film Gangster No. 1 in a minor role as the attacker's friend. She also appeared in episodes of The Bill and London's Burning.
In 2006, Stanley took the lead role in the neo-noir crime film London to Brighton. She portrayed Kelly, a prostitute who is coerced into procuring an 11-year-old girl for a paedophile.
In 2014, Stanley was cast to play the role of Simone in Spencer Hawken's 2016 film No Reasons.

''EastEnders''

In 2004, Stanley appeared as a young Mo Harris in the EastEnders spin off Pat and Mo which aired in April 2004 and revealed what caused the feud between Mo and sister-in-law Pat Butcher, who was played by Emma Cooke.
In 2016, Stanley appeared in EastEnders as Thelma Bragg, the mother of Linzi Bragg who enters an illegal relationship with Jay Brown. She appeared in eight episodes.
A year later, Stanley returned to EastEnders, this time on a permanent basis portraying Karen Taylor, the head of the newly introduced Taylor family, who arrived in June 2017. In July 2023, it was announced that Stanley had been "written out" of the show after six years, and Stanley's final scenes aired on 8 December 2023. She returned to the series for two guest stints in 2024.

Personal life

Stanley and her partner Mark Perez have been together since 2014, and have a daughter born in 2015. The couple married in August 2025.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001The Life and Adventures of Nicholas NicklebyMaidTelevision film
2001The BillMichelle PiperEpisode: "Happy and Glorious"
2001Anybody's NightmarePrison Officer 2, HollowayTelevision film
2002London's BurningFranSeason 14, Episode 8
2003RehabSonyaTelevision film
2004EastEnders: Pat and MoYoung Mo HarrisTV special
EastEnders spin-off
2004Making WavesWessex SailorSeason 1, Episode 1
2007CasualtyLinda GroganEpisode: "No Return"
2007A Class ApartMandyTelevision film
2007The Life and Times of Vivienne VyleUnnamedSeason 1, Episode 4
2007The Inspector Lynley MysteriesMaggieEpisode: "Know Thine Enemy"
2008Trial & RetributionSarah Randal2 episodes
2008He Kills CoppersStan's wifeTelevision film
2008Waking the DeadSusan Carlyle2 episodes
2008The BillKim YatesEpisode: "Lifesaver"
2010CasualtyIzzy McQueenEpisode: "Last Roll of the Dice"
2010Law & Order: UKJulie ReidEpisode: "Broken"
2011Coming UpMaryEpisode: "Home"
2012Call the MidwifePearl WinstonSeason 1, Episode 1
2012CasualtyJanel AbelEpisode: "The Blame Game"
2013Way to GoBetty with DogEpisode: "The Bitter End"
2013MaydayAngieTV mini-series; 3 episodes
2013The TunnelDean Atkinson's motherSeason 1, Episode 6
2014DoctorsLiz McWhinnie3 episodes
2014Chasing ShadowsKay AmosTV mini-series; 2 episodes
2014BabylonSandySeason 1, Episode 3
2015Holby CityCasey WilliamsEpisode: "Infallible"
2015Cradle to GraveJeanSeason 1, Episode 6
2016EastEndersThelma Bragg8 episodes
2017–2024EastEndersKaren TaylorSeries regular
2018 British Soap Award for Best Newcomer
2019 Inside Soap Award for Funniest Female
2020 Inside Soap Award for Funniest Performance
Shortlisted—2018 Inside Soap Award for Funniest Female
Shortlisted—2019 British Soap Award for Best Actress
Shortlisted—2019 TV Choice Award for Best Soap Actress
Longlisted—2019 Inside Soap Award for Best Actress
2020EastEnders: Secrets from the SquareHerselfEpisodes: "Tiffany, Keegan and Karen" and "Karen, Chantelle and Gray"