Matilda Freeman

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Matilda Freeman
Born2004 (age 20–21)
EducationThe Queen's School, Chester
OccupationActress
Years active2015–
TelevisionCoronation Street

Matilda Freeman (born 2004) is a British actress from Mickle Trafford. She has appeared in various short films and played a leading role in the 2019 feature film The Last Boy. In 2017, after a guest appearance on Doctors, Freeman began playing the regular role of Summer Spellman on the soap opera Coronation Street. For her work on the soap, Freeman was nominated for an Inside Soap Award and a British Soap Award. Freeman left the soap in 2020 to explore other acting opportunities and the role was subsequently recast. She has since appeared in Alma's Not Normal and Passenger.

Life and career

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Matilda Freeman was born in 2004.[1][2] She is from Mickle Trafford in Cheshire West and Chester.[2] For her education, Freeman attended The Queen's School, Chester.[2][3]

In 2015, Freeman had a leading role in a short film and directed a short trailer with her schoolfriends for the Chester Performs Film Festival.[2] In 2016, Freeman portrayed the role of Esther in the ITV2's sitcom television pilot Dropperz[4] and that same year she also filmed scenes for the feature film The Last Boy, which was released in 2019.[1][5][2] Freeman commented that she felt lucky to have had received acting roles at a young age, adding, "I love how you can just lose yourself in another character for a while. You have to be really patient with filming as there are lots of takes but I really enjoyed the atmosphere and meeting so many interesting people who have done so much in their lives".[2][3] Freeman has also appeared in various short films.[6][7][3] In 2017, Freeman appeared in an episode of Doctors as Chantelle Briggs.[1][8]

From 2017 to 2020, Freeman portrayed Summer Spellman on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.[1] She appeared in 147 episodes and her first appearance aired in June 2017.[1][9] Freeman's character was introduced as the new adoptive daughter of established characters Todd Grimshaw (Bruno Langley) and Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) – becoming the first same-sex couple to raise a child in the soap opera – after the death of her father Drew Spellman (Tom Goodwin) and she was involved in a storyline where she collapsed after taking drugs.[10][11][12][13] When she joined the soap, she felt nervous but found working there "fun" and praised her colleagues for being very nice.[14] Freeman enjoyed working with Langley and Brocklebank and has said that she likes to do a mixture of funny and emotional scenes, thought she believed that her "speciality" was crying.[14] Whilst on the soap, Freeman became friends with her co-star Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow), who Freeman opined had been the most welcoming.[15][14] For her role as Summer, Freeman was longlisted[16] and later shortlisted for "Best Young Actor" at the 2017 Inside Soap Awards.[3][17][18][19] This was praised by the headmistress of Freeman's school, who called the actress "talented, dedicated and hard-working".[3] This was the first award that Freeman had been nominated for, which she found "amazing" and "exciting".[14] The following year, Freeman was shortlisted for Best Young Actor at the 2018 British Soap Awards.[20][21][22]

During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom, Freeman and three of her Coronation Street co-stars recreated the four-way phone conversation scene from the 2004 film Mean Girls, which received praise online.[23] Later that year, it was announced that Freeman had departed Coronation Street to explore other acting opportunities, with the role being recast to Harriet Bibby.[24] Freeman said of the news, "I'd like to say thank you to my second family, the cast, crew and viewers who have supported me during my time on the cobbles. After three and a half lovely years I felt it was time for a change and I'm excited to be starting that next chapter with a new role."[25] Bibby said that she found it "lovely" that Freeman wished her good luck in regards to joining the soap.[26] Freeman also revealed on social media that she was set to film something abroad later in 2020.[27] Freeman later commented in 2021that she found being on the soap "quite limiting" as she was unable to work other projects due to being on a contract.[28][7]

Freeman portrayed a teenage version of Lin in the sitcom Alma's Not Normal in the sixth episode of its first season, which aired in October 2021.[8][29][30][31] In 2023, Freeman played Leila in the thriller seriesThe Power.[8] In 2024, Freeman portrayed Lilly Wells in the dark comedy-thriller television series Passenger.[1][32][8][33]

Personal life

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In June 2021, Freeman publicly came out as bisexual on her Instagram story when answering a question about her sexuality.[34][35][36] Freeman later thanked her fans for the "love and support" that she had received after making revealing her sexuality online, saying, "I really wasn't expecting it and it means the absolute world, you guys are amazing".[37][38]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes Ref.
— The Chime of Youth — Short film [7]
— Strain — Short film [7]
2016 Lifeline — Short film [7]
2016 Dropperz Esther Television pilot [4]
2017 Doctors Chantelle Briggs Guest role [8]
2017–20 Coronation Street Summer Spellman Regular role [1]
2019 The Last Boy Lilly Feature film [5]
2021 Alma's Not Normal Teenage Lin Nuthall 1 episode ("Sticking With You") [8]
2024 Passenger Lilly Wells Dark comedy television series [1]

Awards and nominations

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List of acting awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title Result Ref.
2017 Inside Soap Awards Best Young Actor Coronation Street Shortlisted [39]
2018 British Soap Awards Best Young Actor Coronation Street Shortlisted [20]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Hallam, Katy; Hall, Tasha (29 March 2024). "ITV Coronation Street star unrecognisable years after leaving soap in new role". Daily Record. Reach plc. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Smith, Stephen (18 November 2016). "Film role for Queen's School pupil Matilda". Cheshire Live. Reach plc. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e de Lucia, Carmella (28 September 2017). "Coronation Street actress from Chester is nominated for national soap award". Cheshire Live. Reach plc. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Dropperz". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 8 June 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  5. ^ a b "The Last Boy". Apple TV. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  6. ^ Olson, Chris (10 November 2016). "Lifeline short film". UK film review. Olson Digital Marketing. Archived from the original on 18 January 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e Baska, Maggie (4 June 2021). "Coronation Street star Matilda Freeman comes out as bisexual in the most low-key way". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Matilda Freeman". Anthea Represents. Archived from the original on 11 February 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  9. ^ Sansome, Jessica (21 November 2020). "Why has Coronation Street replaced Summer? Fans baffled as youngster returns to soap with 'new head'". Manchester Evening News. Reach plc. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  10. ^ "You are my sunshine!". TV Times. 22–28 July 2017. pp. 8–9.
  11. ^ Hegarty, Tasha (27 May 2017). "Coronation Street producer confirms Todd and Billy will become parents to Summer". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 16 February 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  12. ^ Jakes, Aimee (24 September 2017). "Coronation Street Spoilers: Summer Spellman to collapse after smoking drug 'Spice'". Closer Online. Bauer Media Group. Archived from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Who plays Summer Spellman in Coronation Street and how old is she?". Heart. Global Media & Entertainment. 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  14. ^ a b c d "'I've never been up for an award before!'". Inside Soap. No. 38. 23–29 September 2017. pp. 50–51.
  15. ^ "Flower power!". Inside Soap. No. 32. 12–18 August 2017. p. 17.
  16. ^ Harp, Justin (22 August 2017). "Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks all make the Inside Soap Awards longlist". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 1 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  17. ^ "Cast your vote in the Inside Soap Awards 2017". Inside Soap. No. 34. 26 August – 1 September 2017. pp. 49–52.
  18. ^ Donaldson, Laura (31 October 2017). "Inside Soap Awards 2017: Full shortlist revealed as EastEnders snubbed while Emmerdale and Coronation Street sweep the board". OK!. Reach plc. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  19. ^ "Announcing the final four nominations in the Inside Soap Awards 2017". Inside Soap. No. 44. 4–10 November 2017. pp. 34–35.
  20. ^ a b Shepherd, Jack (3 June 2018). "British Soap Awards 2018 winners list in full: Coronation Street named best soap". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  21. ^ James, Rodger (2 June 2018). "Full list of winners from the British Soap Awards 2018 - Coronation Street, Emmerdale, EastEnders, Hollyoaks and more". Birmingham Live. Reach plc. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  22. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (2 June 2018). "British Soap Awards 2018 winners: Find out which of your favourite shows and stars won a trophy". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  23. ^ Fitzpatrick, Katie (9 May 2020). "Corrie girls delight fans by recreating Mean Girls in lockdown". Manchester Evening News. Reach plc. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  24. ^ Warner, Sam (27 October 2020). "Coronation Street confirms Summer Spellman has been recast". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  25. ^ Julians, Joe (27 October 2020). "Coronation Street recasts Summer Spellman". Radio Times. Immediate Media Company. Archived from the original on 22 February 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  26. ^ "Coronation Street has revealed the new Summer Spellman". itv.com. ITV plc. 27 October 2020. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  27. ^ "Coronation Street's Summer Spellman recast after Matilda Freeman quits". Heart. Global Media & Entertainment. 28 October 2020. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  28. ^ Lally, Kate (28 March 2024). "Coronation Street star looks completely different after quitting ITV soap". Liverpool Echo. Reach plc. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  29. ^ Hallam, Katy (28 March 2024). "Coronation Street star unrecognisable in new TV role 4 years after leaving soap". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  30. ^ "Matilda Freeman". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  31. ^ "Series 1, Episode 6 - Sticking With You". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Passenger". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  33. ^ "Matilda Freeman". Accelerate. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  34. ^ Robledo, Jordan (6 June 2021). "Coronation Street star Matilda Freeman comes out as bisexual". Gay Times. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  35. ^ Wall, Eva (4 June 2021). "Coronation Street star Matilda Freeman comes out as bisexual". Extra.ie. DMG Media. Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  36. ^ Dore, Rebecca (4 June 2021). "Former Corrie star Matilda Freeman reveals she is bisexual". Evoke.ie. DMG Media. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  37. ^ Houghton, Rianne (4 June 2021). "Former Coronation Street star Matilda Freeman comes out as bisexual". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 9 June 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  38. ^ Rodger, James (4 June 2021). "Freeman makes personal announcement as fans rush to support her". Birmingham Live. Reach plc. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
  39. ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (31 October 2017). "Inside Soap Awards 2017 shortlist revealed – which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up for prizes?". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
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