In 2024, Isabelle Smith began playing regular character Frankie Osborne in Hollyoaks, which has seen her be part of a huge storyline about Sibling Sexual Abuse, and she works closely with her on-screen stepmother Nancy, played by Jessica Fox. During her time on the soap so far, Isabelle has been nominated for and won awards including winning Best Newcomer at the 2024 Inside Soap Awards, and she has recently been nominated for Best Leading Performer at this year’s British Soap Awards and has made the current longlist of the National Television Awards. Isabelle had her first TV role playing Sonya in episodes of Coronation Street – who was the love interest of Max Turner (Paddy Bever), and her further screen roles include a guest role in Doctors as Bea Reynolds, and she played Jenny Thompson in an episode of Maternal, with Eva Pope as her on-screen mother. Also having experience on stage as a child actor, Isabelle made her West End debut playing Baby Louise in Gypsy at the Garrick Theatre and she was also in the cast of The King and I at The Lowry, marking her stage debut. Currently, Isabelle is still continuing to play Frankie in Hollyoaks and she will be appearing in an unannounced ITV drama. Answering our questions, Isabelle told us about playing the regular role of Frankie Osborne in Hollyoaks, what it’s like working on her storylines including the Sibling Sexual Abuse, filming as Jenny Thompson in an episode of Maternal and being involved with Coronation Street as the love interest of Max Turner.
Since the start of last year, you have been playing the regular character Frankie Osborne in the soap opera Hollyoaks, what do you enjoy most about working on the show and being part of a long-running soap?
I love playing Frankie, I think she’s a character that has been needed in a soap for a long time. I’m so privileged to be able to give a platform to Sibling Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation and make survivors’ voices heard, that’s the best part about my job.
What drew you to the character and how did you feel finding out you’d be joining the regular cast?
So, when I auditioned for the part, I had no idea what was in store, I didn’t even know who I was auditioning for as the names are changed for audition scripts! It was only after I was told I’d gotten the part that I went in for a meeting with my wonderful agent, Alex, and our incredible executive producer Hannah Cheers, that I was told about the upcoming storyline and if it was something I felt that I wanted to do, which of course was a no brainer! To be cast as a new regular was a dream, it still hasn’t sunk in if I’m honest, I suffer a bit with imposter syndrome so it can feel surreal and overwhelming at times!
How would you describe Frankie and what is she like to play?
Frankie is a joy to play, I get to explore so many emotions that really challenge me as an actor. I’ve massively developed my acting skills over the past year and a half, which I’m so thankful for. No two days are the same, which is what I love about her, I’m constantly learning new things and getting to create different character traits. She’s such a strong female, I really admire her and I’m very keen to show our younger audience that side of her and how no matter what she’s been through, she comes out stronger.
How has it been developing the character so far and what have your storylines been like to work on?
Like I said, no two days are the same so it’s exciting coming into work and be able to explore different elements of Frankie. I work very closely with our directors to ensure we’re pitching each scene correctly, it really is a collaborative process for each episode! I’ve been blessed acting-wise with my storylines as I’ve not just been nipping into Price Slice, I’ve been part of something on a much wider scale which has had a bigger impact on our audience than we could have ever anticipated. Don’t get me wrong, it’s been incredibly tough and hard hitting at times, with the nature of what we have been researching and producing, but I’ve loved every second and would do it all again in a heartbeat!
Have you had a favourite and a most challenging scene/episode to film so far?
An episode that stands out as my favourite to film but was also a challenge was the motorbike stunt because I don’t get to do a lot of stunt work and I LOVE it! I find it fascinating how everything works and I love watching the finished project come together. I also had a lot of free rein with the scene where Frankie’s mum, Suzanne, passes away and I was able to use any emotion that came to me in the moment and that scene is entirely improvised on my end, which is very rare for soap so I was so grateful for that opportunity.
You have been nominated for and won numerous awards including winning Best Newcomer at the 2024 Inside Soap Awards and recently being nominated for Best Leading Performer at this year’s British Soap Awards, how is it attending the ceremonies and being recognised for your work?
I still find it baffling that I’m in Hollyoaks, let alone be nominated for awards! I am just in shock each time and incredibly humbled and thankful that I’m being recognised for my work. The imposter syndrome comes in full force at the award ceremonies as I’m surrounded by people I grew up watching and who inspired me to become an actor so I have to do a lot of reminding myself that I deserve to be here, but I don’t think it’ll ever feel normal to me, I still feel like I’m living in a dream!
What is it like on set of Hollyoaks and filming with your fellow regular cast members?
Hollyoaks is like a big family, the cast and crew have been so welcoming to me that I’ve felt at home since my first day. I love filming with my on-screen family, we have such a laugh when we’re on set together and I learn so much, particularly from Jess Fox, who plays my stepmum Nancy, watching her is like a masterclass each day and I couldn’t ask for a better scene partner.
Do you have any stand-out highlights from filming as Frankie Osborne so far that you can share?
I think just the whole of the Sibling Sexual Abuse storyline has been so stand-out for me. I still get messages each day thanking us for giving a platform to survivors and for making people feel safe enough to speak out and seek help, I want to continue to raise awareness and do all I can to support survivors.
Can you tell us about your experience guest-starring as Bea Reynolds in Doctors last year and how was Bea involved with the episode’s storyline?
I had the most amazing time filming Doctors, with a character that was so different to everything I’ve ever played. I was able to play around and have fun with Bea, as she was such a complex character and very manic at times which meant I was constantly changing emotions and trying to go against the norm of how I first interpreted her. It was such an amazing experience, one I’m very grateful for and will treasure as it was one of the last episodes that was aired.
In 2023, you played Jenny Thompson in an episode of Maternal, what was this like to film?
Maternal was the first drama that I booked so I was so excited! The icon that is Eva Pope played my mum and I learnt so much from her and was able to get her advice on things I was struggling with. It was my first taste of being on a drama and it just made me more determined to make my dream a reality!
How was it working on episodes of Coronation Street as Sonya – the love interest of Max Turner (played by Paddy Bever)?
Coronation Street was my first television job so it holds a very special place in my heart. Working with Paddy was great and we’re still friends to this day. He’s such a natural actor, it was a joy to watch and learn from him, he made me feel so at ease on set and talked me through everything that was going on around us and just boosted my confidence. Being on the set of Corrie was very surreal as well as it’s so iconic, it was very cool seeing how everything is filmed!
As a stage actor, we understand you made your West End debut playing Baby Louise in Gypsy at the Garrick Theatre, what are some of your favourite memories from performing in the musical?
Argh I was a baby when I was acting on stage!! I grew up wanting to be a dancer so I trained professionally in this and in musical theatre as well and I had brilliant opportunities relating to this. Playing Baby Louise was the most fun I’ve ever had doing a musical and I remember just being so excited to get onto the stage each night.
My stage debut was when I was nine years old, which is a lifetime ago, when I was one of the King’s children in The King and I at The Lowry! My mum still has all the pictures, she likes to get them out every now and again!
How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
I came to acting later in my teenage years, I have always loved performing and I wanted to be a dancer until I was about 15 and I just fell out of love with it and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I asked to try an acting class in Manchester which my dad took me to each Sunday as I loved drama at school and then I just absolutely fell in love with acting. I got my first acting agent when I was 16 and then did a few little bits and then I signed with my current agent when I was 19 and the rest is history! I owe a lot to my acting coach, George Bukhari, who took me under his wing at 16 and developed me into the actor I am today.
Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?
When I’m getting ready, I always rewatch my comfort shows which are Gavin & Stacey, Two Doors Down and Benidorm! I love a good ITV crime drama but I’ve recently just finished watching Chernobyl, I know I’m late to the party but that was some of the most incredible acting I’ve seen!
What do you enjoy doing away from acting?
Away from acting, I love spending time with my family and friends! I live with my boyfriend, Ads, and my cat, Toad, so my evenings are spent with them. I love going for walks in the city with Ads, getting a sweet treat if we pass a bakery and maybe popping into Zara occasionally! I’m really into my pilates and reformer pilates so I try and fit that into my week when I can but I do also love having a chilled day, watching the TV at home and eating carbs!
What are you hoping this year brings for you, and do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about?
Frankie is not slowing down anytime soon and I’m currently filming things at Hollyoaks that I can’t wait to share with you all! I’ve also got an ITV drama coming out very soon which I’m super excited about! I’m just so grateful to be in my dream job that I don’t take anything for granted so we’ll see what the year ahead brings but I’m just taking each day as it comes!
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