Annabelle Davis made her professional stage debut originating the role of Miss Fordham/Ensemble in the European premiere of The Real & Imagined History of The Elephant Man at Nottingham Playhouse and on the UK Tour. For the new West End show Paddington the Musical, Annabelle was the casting director for Paddington Bear, which has the music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale and is directed by Luke Sheppard, with Paddington the Musical being nominated for a record 14 awards at this year’s WhatsOnStage Awards, including Natalie Gallagher CDG, Nick Hockaday and Annabelle for Best Casting Direction. In 2023, Annabelle joined the cast of Hollyoaks as regular character Lacey Lloyd, and in the TV sequel of Willow, she played Mims – the daughter of well-loved lead character Willow, which is played by her real-life father Warwick Davis. Amongst Annabelle’s further screen roles, she played Coach Winifred in an episode of Nova Jones, was in the cast of Star Wars films, Jack the Giant Slayer and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and from 2015 to 2022, she had her first regular character playing Sasha Bellman in The Dumping Ground for CBBC. Early in her career, Annabelle filmed alongside her family for Weekend Escapes with Warwick Davis, and she is a talented artist selling online through her website, and she uploads regularly to her TikTok account with her dog Sherlock. We found out from Annabelle about making her professional stage debut in The Real & Imagined History of The Elephant Man, her regular characters of Lacey Lloyd in Hollyoaks and Sasha Bellman in The Dumping Ground and playing Mims in the TV sequel of Willow.
How was it making your professional stage debut in The Real & Imagined History of The Elephant Man at Nottingham Playhouse and on the UK Tour, and how different did you find performing on stage opposed to filming for screen?
It was incredible. I had wanted to do theatre for a long time, and for this show to be my debut was a dream come true! To tell this unique version of the story was really interesting. Being able to draw parallels between Joseph Merrick’s life and the difficulties disabled people face today was eye-opening. It was a visually stunning piece of theatre, and I became immersed in the story every single show. Audience members daily would feedback how they had never seen anything like it, and it had such an emotional impact on people.
It was also incredibly empowering to be a part of an all disabled/neurodivergent cast. Working alongside Nadia Nadarajah, who is a deaf actress, I got the opportunity to not only learn BSL, but learn and explore more about my own deafness. I also felt my confidence grow throughout the show’s run, as I felt more free to talk about my disability with the cast, as well as hearing stories I could resonate with.
Nothing will top how proud I felt to be on that stage. My family were also hugely supportive and came to see the show more times than I can count.
What was it like originating the role of Miss Fordham/Ensemble in the European premiere of the play and how was it telling the story?
The idea of this being the European premiere hadn’t really hit until we got our own copies of the play, published with our names in the front! It was so exciting to be the first to embody Miss Fordham here in the UK. I’m sure in the future there will be numerous versions of her that I look forward to seeing.
What was it like joining the cast of Hollyoaks in 2023 as Lacey Lloyd and how would you describe the character?
Joining such a huge cast – over 70 at the time, I think – felt pretty daunting! But even in the first few days, everyone made me feel very welcome.
Lacey was a lot of fun. One of my dream roles was to play a lawyer, but what I loved about her is that Hollyoaks gave me the opportunity to explore her outside of her job, and touched on her disability too.
How did you find the experience filming as a regular character in a soap opera and what was your storyline like to work on?
It was great. A lot of hard work, but really fun. I didn’t quite realise the pace of soap opera storylines. The filming days are quick, though The Dumping Ground had already prepared me for those. It was the pace of the episodes that took some getting used to, and it’s amazing how quickly your brain adapts though. Soon I was able to pick up scenes in a few minutes.
This really came in handy before The Real & Imagined History of The Elephant Man, as I had so much dialogue to learn there! Hollyoaks really has taught me a lot and given me so many more tools as an actor. I have a huge amount of respect for all the cast and crew that work on soap operas.
What was it like being involved with the TV sequel of Willow as Mims (daughter of well-loved lead character Willow Ufgood, played by your real-life father Warwick Davis) and what did you enjoy most about filming your role?
My favourite role to date, and it’s going to be pretty hard to beat! Getting to work alongside my dad, mum, brother and aunt was amazing! There are a few scenes down in the caves where you can spot all of us.
It was also an honour to step into such a loved character. Willow has always been the role my dad is most recognised for, and to be able to explore and expand the character of Mims was so much fun. The scenes opposite him were very special, and the fact that we were playing father and daughter just added another layer to it all.
Wearing prosthetics for the first time as zombie Mims was so much fun too – I even got to keep the mask!
You played Coach Winifred in an episode of Nova Jones for CBBC, what was it like playing a guest character on the show?
It was brilliant. Nova Jones was shot in Belfast, and shortly after I arrived there, production had to stop for a few days. Rather than fly back home, I grabbed my Razor scooter and spent time sightseeing. Learning about the history and culture of the area gave me an enhanced perspective and relationship with the team. I have never scooted so far in my life! Everyone was lovely, and I’d love to go back.
Coach Winifred was a proper character. The hair and makeup department decided on her pink wig that, I’ll be honest, I didn’t want to take off. Her sporty outfit was also really cool. Her attitude was a little off, though a lot of fun to play, of course!
The cast and crew were lovely, and it was great to be a part of such a crazy fun show.
Across seven series of The Dumping Ground, you played Sasha Bellman from 2015 to 2022, how was it having Sasha as your first regular character and what was she like to play?
Sasha and The Dumping Ground taught me everything I know. I was very lucky to be able to grow up both personally and professionally in such a nurturing environment, and I couldn’t have wished for a better character to share this journey with as we grew up together.
To be able to play a character for that long, you learn so much about them, and in the end I had explored everything I had ever wanted to with her. She was feisty but had a huge heart, and her personality allowed them to write a lot of crazy storylines for her, which gave me so much diversity.
I will always miss Sasha and the whole DG gang.
What are some of your stand-out memories from your time on set of The Dumping Ground and working alongside the rest of the cast?
There are so many, I don’t even know where to begin. I think my favourite episode to film was The Movie Business. It was just such an absurd version of Sasha. And the knitting storyline was pretty crazy – inspired by real events too (I love knitting).
The most challenging one has to be Stuck, the Groundhog Day-esque episode. The way the filming was structured meant I had to really stay focused. I was lucky to have such a great director, Sean Glynn, help guide me through that one.
Another one that tested me was the FaceTime one! We filmed that all in one take, outside, and it was freezing. I recorded everyone else’s lines and would listen to them through my hearing aids for the next four weeks. When it came to filming, I would hit play on my phone when the camera started to roll and essentially talk to myself for 30 minutes. You can Imagine I became sick of my own voice very quickly!
How did you feel filming Sasha’s leaving episode in Series 9?
So many mixed emotions. I was excited to be going out into the world, soon to be shooting Willow. But leaving a show I had been part of for seven years was very daunting – it was all I had ever known.
Luckily, I knew we would keep in touch, and I still see Kia (Pegg) most weeks. But I do miss it even today. It was essentially my version of university – moving away from home, and living and working with a group of new people who would very soon feel like family.
I’ll never take it for granted.
Can you tell us about working on the Star Wars films, Jack the Giant Slayer and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2?
I filmed Harry Potter when I was just 12, and my brother Harrison was only six! It came about when production were looking for 60 goblins to form the life of Gringotts Bank, and my dad mentioned he knew a few actors that would be able to play the role. My mum appeared in a three-piece prosthetic behind one of the extremely tall desks, and was able to watch over her two very tiny goblins below, pulling a cart of gold.
You can spot us all in the scene – if you don’t blink! Our goblin heads and gold cart can also be found in the studio tour too.
Next, we did Jack the Giant Slayer. My dad was given the opportunity to direct a small segment at the start of the film that depicted the story of the giants. It was really interesting to be able to watch the filming process from this new perspective. Dad was overseeing set designs and all sorts! Harrison and I also came in handy and were cast as two children that get taken away by the giants.
Star Wars – fun and very warm! They got in touch through my dad and grandad’s agency, Willow Management, and asked to see me. At this point, my dad hadn’t yet been called in for Episode 7, so he very enthusiastically offered to drive me.
In the meeting, I was measured up for a variety of costumes and ended up becoming Thromba, a fluffy yellow plastic surgeon, who does in fact have a spin-off series of comics.
Filming itself wasn’t quite as easy though. The costumes were incredibly hot, and we were placed right next to a huge open fire. Luckily, Dad gave me a great pep talk beforehand that got me through those couple of weeks. I genuinely couldn’t have done it without him.
Had you always known you wanted an acting career and how did you originally get started in the industry?
Not as such. At school, I wanted to become a clinical psychologist. Having grown up spending a fair bit of time in hospitals for various appointments or operations, I wanted to help kids going through similar experiences. I had a psychologist help me over a course of six months with my severe needle phobia, and she was incredible!
It was watching my dad perform in See How They Run alongside a full cast of little people that ignited the drive to want to become an actor. I got an audition for The Dumping Ground mere months later, and I never looked back.
Having said that, my interest in psychology ties perfectly into the acting world, so I feel as if this was always meant to happen.
What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?
One of my favourite TV series to date is the BBC adaptation of Sherlock, of which I named my dog after. I also love Stranger Things, the new Fallout series, and a lot of different documentaries. You can’t beat a classic either, like Laurel and Hardy, or Columbo, which I grew up watching every Sunday at home.
For musicals, I love The Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and of course the brand-new musical, Paddington! I know I’m biased having worked on the show, but it really is brilliant.
I also love Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Stranger Things: The First Shadow for their incredible use of visual effects. I also have to mention The Woman in Black for the sheer terror!
Early in your career, you filmed with your family for Weekend Escapes with Warwick Davis, how was this?
It was so much fun! Six weeks of exploring all that the UK has to offer, from the slightly weird to the wonderful. Camping holidays have always been our favourite, so it never felt like work at all.
I have to say, Sherlock steals the show – he was only 10 weeks old filming the first series!
You are also an artist and sell your paintings and products online; what do you enjoy about art and how is it seeing your artwork come together into a finished piece?
I have loved art ever since I was a kid. I was born with talipes, which meant I couldn’t walk for a while, so my parents gave me pencils and paper. From then on, I have drawn almost every day since!
What started out as just a hobby has now transformed into half of my career. As acting can be so unpredictable, my parents always encouraged me to work on something alongside it. My art has been perfect for this – it doesn’t conflict with any acting work that arises, but rather compliments it.
And not only that, I still find it very relaxing. So whilst waiting to go on set or at home in between jobs, I always have something that will keep me busy.
Where do you get the inspiration from for new artwork and how long do you typically spend on each design?
Inspiration can strike anywhere. From a walk with Sherlock to a new job or set, that’s why I will always travel with a camera and notebook to capture a composition or fleeting thought.
Each piece can take between a couple of hours to a few days, depending on the size and medium used. I like to work quickly to keep my brain engaged, whether listening to music or watching a documentary.
How is it filming content for TikTok and what is it like seeing the response to your videos?
Filming TikToks with Sherlock is a lot of fun. I get a couple of hours of escapism with him in the art studio and to see what funny things he will do in the moment.
He drives each and every one. I’ll know what order we need to pack, but that’s pretty much it – the rest is up to him!
The responses on TikTok are amazing, and I’m so grateful to have a lovely little community on there. I now get recognised for those videos more than anything else! Except it’s not people wanting a photo with me, they want one with Sherlock.
We understand you are involved with charity work, can you tell us about this?
My parents set up the charity Little People UK a few years ago, and it has gone from strength to strength. I have since joined the committee, helping to plan our two annual events, as well as attending various fundraisers throughout the year.
I have also recently set up monthly Art Sessions over Zoom, where our members can learn to draw and paint. I have really enjoyed hosting these, and we now have a lovely group growing each time. Our first in-person session will be this February at the charity’s birthday event.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I have recently taken up journaling again, so each day I now take time to pause and reflect. When I’m not writing, I’m decorating the pages and hoping to begin scrapbooking again too.
Alongside that, I have also made a D&D group with some friends! We’ve just started our first campaign, and I’m loving it so far.
Do you have any projects coming up that you can share, and what are you hoping 2026 brings for you?
There’s some really exciting things coming in 2026 – some you will see fairly soon, and some you will have to wait until 2027 for.
Until then, I’m grateful for the crazy ride that this industry brings!
Follow Annabelle on: