Amanda Mealing

Amanda Jane Mealing (born 22 April 1968) is a British movie and TV actress best known for playing Consultant Connie Beauchamp in the BBC One medical dramas Holby City and Casualty.

Early life

The only adopted member of her family, Mealing was the youngest of four children, with two sisters and an elder brother. She grew up in Dulwich, South London, with her adoption never being a secret. Although very much part of a strong and loving family, she was always aware that she looked nothing like her siblings and was left feeling that she did not quite fit in. Despite a yearning to know more about her biological parents, Mealing was concerned that looking for them would upset her family.

When she was 15 years old, Mealing's brother died after using heroin. Although Stephen was 14 years her senior, they were very close and it affected her deeply. Realising that "life can be short... there's no point sitting around", she was influenced to "do stuff".

Career

Originally known as Mandy Mealing, her first professional performance was in a Julie Andrews special on BBC television at the age of six. She then started Saturday classes at the Italia Conti Academy, before enrolling full-time at the age of nine. Parts in Just William, The Morecambe & Wise Show and Premiere followed, before she was cast as comprehensive-school pupil Tracy Edwards in Phil Redmond's long-running BBC One children's drama series Grange Hill.