Get to Know Our Sussex Stars
Spotlight on Emily Swain

Sussex boasts a rich history of nurturing talent, and among its brightest stars is UK/Irish actor EMILY SWAIN. With an impressive repertoire that includes working alongside lead talent from Hollywood and Bollywood and beyond, Emily has proven herself a versatile and dynamic performer. However, her journey goes beyond the glitz and glamour of the screen; it’s a story deeply rooted in her rich family heritage and the vibrant backdrop of her Sussex childhood.

Emily was born into a family of established actors. Her parents were respected and experienced jobbing actors, appreciated by their peers in the world of stage and screen which meant that her early life was steeped in the performing arts. At one stage they also ran a pub in the picturesque village of Byworth as a side hustle, adding a unique dimension to her upbringing. “It was always rather noisy and animated, especially my dad, my brother, and our Spanish-speaking parrot, Isabella,” she fondly recalls. “My mum, originally a dancer, floated around with grace and forbearance. Did we need it!” 

This early exposure to the arts, coupled with the lively atmosphere of their home and peripatetic lifestyle, set the stage for Emily’s future in acting.

A Passion for Creativity and Collaboration

Emily is passionate about infusing her work with creativity and vitality. She says, “What’s not to love about opening windows into humanity—a twinkle in the eye?” Her love for the craft has taken her around the world, but she particularly cherishes the opportunities that come close to home. “Although I love casting my toolkit far and wide, there is something delicious when work comes magically to your doorstep… the bees coming to your honey pot,” she says.

This year alone, Emily has been involved in several projects filmed in the South, including ITV’s Grace, Reel One Entertainment’s A Merry Royal Christmas (Paramount Plus, Hallmark), and a Brighton-produced series for the London Stock Exchange. One of her standout achievements was her role in the Royal Television Society (Southern) award-winning short film What About You. Emily is especially proud of this project (also supported logistically by Sussex Film Office) which highlights the challenges of the “Sandwich Generation” and champions unseen family carers. “These cinematic quality infomercial campaigns can have such an impact, they deserve nothing but our acting A-Game,” she remarks.

In a particularly memorable moment, Emily filmed a scene just a 10-minute walk from her home. “Springing from my own bed, across grass and straight into hair and make-up— that was a first,” she recalls with a smile.

The Beginnings of a Glittering Career

Emily’s love for acting began at a young age. “I started as a tiny tot but got into it properly with Surrey Youth Theatre at age 15, playing Mucky Molly in Fielding’s Tom Jones at Farnham Repertory Theatre,” she recalls. After finishing senior school in Connemara, Ireland, Emily spent time living, working, and studying in Paris and Italy, becoming fluent in French. She eventually attended The Academy of Live & Recorded Arts (ALRA) in her early 20s. Her first television job was on The Bill, a rite of passage for many British actors.

After a successful start in the industry, Emily took what she now calls a “proper detour” – a hiatus from acting that led her into nursing and human rights work, defence journalism, interviewing Princess Anne, organising events for Cherie Blair, and even helping to secure the release of a young man from a Southeast Asian jail. She also had adventurous moments, such as hanging off a Sea King Mark 6 and scrambling up the world’s largest aircraft carrier in a 8-force gale. Reflecting on this period, she says, “Young actors need to know that … it ALL gets recycled back into the work. The detours, the pauses, the quiet times—nothing is ever wasted. Someone once said: ‘it takes time to grow into your face.’” Your career may feel fragmented, but it’s all ONE life—YOUR one unique life. That’s your gift right there. Don’t be scared of a seemingly long, winding road to get to where you are meant to go.” 

The Multi-Hyphenate Talent

In today’s entertainment industry, many actors are also filmmakers and content creators, and Emily is no exception. Her first feature, where she served as co-writer, producer, and lead actor, was shot in the UK and Lebanon and presented a significant learning curve. “I was like a fevered mad woman — it’s not how you do it, but I didn’t know that – I just had a burning, creative instinct I had to follow …” she admits. Despite the challenges, the project, produced under her company Bellesheures (‘beautiful hours’ in French), was a success, earning selections and awards at various film festivals including Independent Shorts Awards, Indie Short Fest (LA), East End Film Festival (London). Other projects have also enjoyed film festival success, including at two Irish Film and Television Academy-affiliated festivals.

Emily is currently developing a documentary with a landmark map and a strong family story at its heart. Despite the challenges posed by a current catastrophic war, she is committed to bringing this essential story to life. “For me, projects should always be about something far bigger than yourself,” she explains. “If we are fortunate to ever get a platform in our careers as artists, I would use mine to tell the most meaningful stories I could for maximum effect. To be catalysts for change.”

The Essence of Emily Swain

When asked to describe her essence as an actor, Emily offers a vivid image: “A charming Celtic queen—petting the dog with one hand and shooting the neighbour with the other.” She is drawn to roles that explore drama, comedy, and darkness—together or separately—showcasing her skill in balancing intensity with humour.

Emily’s career advice to younger, later, and returning actors is simple but profound: “Nurture an expansive and poised mindset, keep your side of the street clean, and never take any bookings for granted, big OR small.” She emphasises the importance of “gratitude, showing up for yourself and others, enjoying the moment, and remaining teachable throughout one’s career.” She adds, “Someone recently said to me on a project: ‘Emily, you bring everyone up with you.’ Yes, that’s exactly what I try to do—I took that as a huge compliment”

Happiest Jobs of the Last Decade

Reflecting on some of her happiest roles rather than just her most prestigious credits, Emily highlights a few standout projects from the past decade.

Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III: Emily covered and played Camilla in the Almeida Theatre’s West End and touring production, which took her to Australia. “A glorious six weeks in Sydney, and being conceived near Brisbane gave me a spark of Aussie—I felt a bit at home,” she shares. The award-winning project remains one of her most cherished stage jobs.

The Heritage (Hulu/Disney’s/20th Century Studios: Bite-Size Halloween): Despite not being a huge horror fan, Emily found the role of Elsie, an innocent with PTSD, rewarding. “The director Andy Rutter was fabulous, and I was even nominated for Best Supporting Actress at a leading global horror festival,” she says.

Our Brothers in Cloth by Ronan Colfer: In this play, based on true events, Emily channeled her Irish heritage as a traumatised mother. “This was me wearing my Irish breastplate full throttle,” she says. The play dealt with the revelations & ramifications of clerical abuse in Ireland, making it a deeply significant project for her. “The company was an awesome bunch. It was a proper Irish love bubble. I hope this one has a future—it deserves a solid platform.”

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, Emily’s future is brimming with excitement. She’s gearing up for a rejuvenating holiday in Portugal and Ibiza, working on an intriguing short film down South, and will cap off January 2025 with a captivating evening of jazz at Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva Studio, featuring a local 7-piece band, Big House, and a great narrated story.

Beyond that, Emily envisions a future where she maintains a strong and impactful presence in the UK while also continuing to broaden her reach to Ireland, Canada, LA and Australia. She aims to deliver unforgettable performances on both local and international stages and to develop landmark projects that resonate globally. This vision underscores her ambition to evolve as an artist while remaining true to her roots.

Emily Swain is a shining example of how a rich and varied life experience can fuel creativity and lead to a fulfilling career in the arts. Her journey from Sussex to the global stage is a testament to her talent, resilience, and unwavering passion for bringing stories to life with flair.

ALL LINKS EMILY: https://msha.ke/emilyswain.com/

PHOTOS: © Nicolas Laborie

HAIR & MAKE UP: Anna Acerbi 

INTERVIEW: Sussex Film Office

EMILY IN SUSSEX FILMING STILLS : 

1) Worthing: RTS Winner ‘What About You’ © Three Thirds Films, directed by Tom Sands

2) Bluebell Railway: Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on The Mystery Woman © BBC Studios/PBS/iPlayer, directed by EMMY, RTS, BTAA and Da&D award-winning director / executive producer Simon George