Emily Carey

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Emily Carey
Carey as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon (2022)
Born
Emily Joanna Carey

(2003-04-30) 30 April 2003
Barnet, Greater London, England
EducationClaremont School, East Sussex
OccupationActor
Years active2012–present

Emily Joanna Carey (born 30 April 2003) is an English actor. They[a] began their career as a child performer on stage and in the BBC medical drama series Casualty (2014–2017, 2021). They went on to play several young versions of characters, such as Diana Prince in Wonder Woman (2017) and Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (2018). Carey is best known for playing young Alicent Hightower in the HBO fantasy series House of the Dragon (2022) and Harriet Manners in the Netflix teen drama series Geek Girl (2024).

Early life

Emily Joanna Carey was born on 30 April 2003[1] in the London Borough of Barnet and grew up in East Sussex.[2] They were raised by their mother, Sarah MacDonnell, a talent agent and former actor.[3][4]

Carey was educated at the independent co-educational Claremont School until the age of 14.[5] They have said that, while their acting career was one factor in the decision, they left school mainly for mental health reasons.[6]

From early childhood, Carey was regularly backstage in theatres with family members who worked in the industry, including their grandmother, a former West End wardrobe supervisor.[7] Carey has said that growing up around theatre gave them an early familiarity with performance and helped make acting feel like a natural path, and one that "I've wanted to do forever".[8]

Career

Carey began their professional career in 2012, making their West End debut aged nine in Shrek the Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The following year, they appeared as Marta von Trapp in The Sound of Music at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.[7]

In 2014, Carey joined the cast of the BBC medical drama Casualty as Grace Beauchamp, appearing regularly until 2017 and reprising the role in 2021.[9] Their storylines included a long‑running brain injury recovery arc, for which they undertook research with The Children's Trust to support an accurate portrayal.[10] During this period, they also appeared as Mary Conan Doyle in the ITV series Houdini & Doyle.[11] In 2016, the The Huffington Post named Carey as one of the year's top child actors.[12]

Carey made their feature film debut as the young Diana Prince in the DC Universe film Wonder Woman (2017),[13] studying Gal Gadot's speech patterns to match the character's voice.[14] The film received a positive critical response and was a commercial success.[15][16] They subsequently portrayed a young Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (2018).[17]

Carey secured their first leading television role in the BBC and Netflix teen drama Get Even (2020), playing schoolgirl Mika Cavanaugh, whose private photos are shared without her consent, leading to bullying and social isolation.[18] That year, they also appeared in the title role of the film Anastasia: Once Upon a Time (2020).[11] In 2021, Carey transitioned into voice work in feature animation, voicing Anne Frank in Ari Folman's Where Is Anne Frank (2021),[19] and Mila in Monster Family 2 (2021).[20]

Carey had a career breakthrough with their role as young Alicent Hightower in the HBO Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon (2022), adapted from George R. R. Martin's historical fantasy book Fire & Blood.[21] Carey's performance received praise from critics.[22] Megan O'Keefe of Decider described it as “carefully composed”,[23] while Kaiya Shunyata of Roger Ebert called Carey's performance “fantastic”.[24]

Carey next starred as Harriet Manners in the Netflix teen drama Geek Girl (2024), based on Holly Smale's novel of the same name.[25] Carey described the role as personally significant, saying it was both truthful and “healing to their inner child” in light of their own experiences as an autistic person.[26] The series and Carey's performance were praised.[27] Lucy Mangan in The Guardian felt that they delivered a complete performance,[28] while Hollywood Repoter's Daniel Fienburg wrote that Carey shined with a satisfying and believable portrayal.[29]

Carey will next return as Harriet Manners in the second series of Geek Girl.[30] Carey is also due to appear in the films Becoming Capa and Oddly Flowers,[31][32] and as Victoria Chase in the television adaptation of the video game Life Is Strange.[33]

Personal life

Carey is autistic.[34] They are queer,[35] non-binary,[36] and use they/them pronouns.[37] They helped The Children's Trust launch the #MyBrave campaign.[38]

Carey was in a relationship with musician Kellimarie Willis, who performs in the band RLY.[39][40] In 2024, Carey revealed that they are in a relationship with English actress Jessica Revell.[41]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Ref.
2017 Wonder Woman Young Diana Prince [13]
2018 Tomb Raider Young Lara Croft [17]
2020 Anastasia: Once Upon a Time Anastasia [11]
2021 Where Is Anne Frank Anne Frank (voice) [19]
Monster Family 2 Mila Starr (voice) [20]
2022 The Lost Girls Teen Wendy Darling [42]
2023 The Canterville Ghost Virginia Otis (voice) [43]
Breaking Point Abbie [44]
2025 The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep Sh'eenaz (voice) [45]
Misper Elle Pritchard [46]
The Birth of a Mall Goth May [47]
A Witness Miss Witmer [48]
TBA Oddly Flowers Audrey Flowers [49]
TBA Becoming Capa TBA [50]
TBA Stray Jenny [51]
TBA Camino Ellie [52]

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014–2017, 2021 Casualty Grace Beauchamp Recurring role [9]
2016 Houdini & Doyle Mary Conan Doyle 6 episodes [11]
2019 Turn Up Charlie Bea 1 episode [53]
2020 Get Even Mika Cavanaugh Main role [18]
2022 House of the Dragon Young Alicent Hightower Main role; 5 episodes [21]
2024 Platform 7 Ella [54]
Geek Girl Harriet Manners Main role [25]
2026 Dragon Striker TBA
TBA Lady Charon Natalie
Life Is Strange Victoria Chase Main role [55]

Music videos

Year Title Artist Ref.
2014 Baby, It's Cold Outside Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé [56]
2022 Teenage Drama Michael Aldag [57]
2024 Bitch Get Out of My Car Say Now [58]

Stage

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012–13 Shrek The Musical Young Shrek, Young Fiona, Grumpy Theatre Royal, Drury Lane [59]
2013 The Sound of Music Marta Von Trapp Regent's Park Open Air Theatre [60]
2025 Before This New Year Haley The Duke on 42nd Street [61]

Video games

Year Title Role Ref.
2022 Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Young Eunie [62]
2025 Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Alma Beoulve [63]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2022 Pena de Prata Best Ensemble in a Drama Series House of the Dragon Nominated

Notes

  1. Carey is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.

References

  1. Carey, Emily (30 April 2019). "Thank you for all the lovely birthday messages!! I'm having the BEST day and it keeps getting better. So grateful for all the wonderful people in my life". Twitter. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  2. Faye Brookes | Not Fazed With Faye (12 July 2024). Emily Carey's House Of The Dragon success, Geek Girl, being a child actor. Event occurs at 40:51. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via YouTube.
  3. "Sarah MacDonnell". Instagram. Retrieved 18 May 2026. Mum to @theemilycarey
  4. "Ardent Talent: About us". Ardent Talent. Retrieved 18 May 2026. A former actress herself, Sarah has many years' experience as an agent, performer and teacher in the performing arts.
  5. "Performing Arts at Claremont School". Claremont School. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  6. Live A Little with Nikki Lilly (5 February 2026). When milestones don't make sense with Emily Carey. Event occurs at 6:27. Retrieved 18 May 2026 – via YouTube.
  7. Carey, Emily (31 July 2020). "Emily Carey's imagination took her from the West End to a leading role on Netflix". Backstage. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  8. "Emily Carey". TresA. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  9. Robinson, Abby. "Emily Carey on Geek Girl: 'Finding Harriet, I felt like I belonged'". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 June 2026. ...her 10-year spanning CV includes ... over 40 episodes of British institution Casualty...
  10. Mark Peikert (20 August 2020). "Get Even's Emily Carey talks about her West End background, dream roles, and twisty Netflix drama". Playbill. Event occurs at 18:39. Retrieved 7 June 2026 – via YouTube.
  11. McNary, Dave (20 June 2017). "Young Wonder Woman Emily Carey set for Anastasia: Once Upon a Time". Variety. Archived from the original on 23 June 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  12. Coleman, Sam (12 September 2016). "Top Five Child Stars of 2016". HuffPost. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  13. Linden, Sheri (29 May 2017). "Wonder Woman: film review". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 30 May 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  14. Wald, Jackson (29 September 2022). "Emily Carey on her head-spinning journey in and out of Westeros". Interview. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  15. "Wonder Woman". Metacritic. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  16. D'Alessandro, Anthony (22 March 2018). "No. 6 Wonder Woman Box Office profits – 2017 most valuable blockbuster tournament". Deadline. Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  17. Macnab, Geoffrey (14 March 2018). "Tomb Raider review: Alicia Vikander makes Lara Croft her own". The Independent. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  18. "Get Even". BBC. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  19. Linden, Sheri (9 July 2021). "Where Is Anne Frank: film review | Cannes 2021". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  20. Vita, Pablo De (2 December 2021). "Estrenos de cine: La familia Monster 2 entretiene con una historia efectiva y convencional". La Nacion (in Spanish). Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  21. Petski, Denise (6 July 2021). "House Of The Dragon: Milly Alcock & Emily Carey join Game Of Thrones prequel series". Deadline. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  22. Hibberd, James (12 September 2022). "House of the Dragon star Emily Carey on whether the young actors will return in season 2". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  23. O'Keefe, Megan (19 August 2022). "House of the Dragon review on HBO and HBO Max: how is the Game of Thrones prequel?". Decider. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  24. Shunyata, Kaiya (18 August 2022). "House of the Dragon breathes new life into the world of Westeros". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  25. Fienberg, Daniel (29 May 2024). "Geek Girl review: Emily Carey shines in Netflix's wholesome YA fashion comedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  26. Holly Smale (Geek Girl Author), Emily Carey (Plays Harriet Manners) On BBC Breakfast. BBC. 19 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2026 – via YouTube.
  27. "Geek Girl season 1 reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  28. Mangan, Lucy (30 May 2024). "Geek Girl review – this joyful adaptation is non-stop fun". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  29. Fienberg, Daniel (29 May 2024). "Geek Girl review: Emily Carey shines in Netflix's wholesome YA fashion comedy". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  30. Robinson, Abby; Mensah, Katelyn (1 May 2025). "Geek Girl season 2 release window, cast and latest news". Radio Times. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  31. Ritman, Alex (30 April 2026). "Becoming Capa, starring Esther McGregor and Mark Eydelshteyn as famed war photographers Gerda Taro and Robert Capa, launching in Cannes with HanWay (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  32. Soni, Divya (15 February 2026). "Martin Freeman lands next movie role in new British drama with "extraordinary" cast". Digital Spy. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  33. Otterson, Joe (2 June 2026). "Life Is Strange TV series casts Billy Barratt, Emily Carey, Esther McGregor, Faly Rakotohavana, Mia Isaac (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  34. Robinson, Abby (29 May 2024). "Emily Carey on Geek Girl: "Finding Harriet Manners, I felt like I belonged"". Radio Times. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
  35. Murray, Tom (24 August 2022). "House of the Dragon stars confirm sexual chemistry between Rhaenyra and Alicent". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  36. "Enby core". TikTok.
  37. Specter, Francesca (22 August 2022). "House of the Dragon's Emily Carey on feminism, friendship and how they overcame a mental health 'struggle' while filming". Glamour UK. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  38. "Emily Carey's #MyBrave Challenge for The Children's Trust". Just Giving. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  39. "Emily Carey: 17 facts about the House of the Dragon actress you should know". Pop Buzz. 2022. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  40. "KELLIMARIE RLY on Instagram: "proud gf alert...."". Instagram. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  41. Carey, Emily (30 June 2024). "Happy Pride❤️🧡🤍🩷 I am in love and have never been prouder". Instagram.
  42. Wiseman, Andreas (27 January 2022). "Joely Richardson drama The Lost Girls, inspired by Peter Pan story, gets U.S. deal ahead of EFM". Deadline. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  43. Grobar, Matt (28 August 2023). "Animated feature The Canterville Ghost starring Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and others sets release with Shout! Studios & Blue Fox Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  44. "Breaking Point". TV Guide. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  45. Foutch, Haleigh (12 February 2025). "The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep cast and character guide: who voices Geralt?". TheWrap. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  46. Yossman, K. J. (31 October 2024). "Black Mirror star Samuel Blenkin, House of the Dragon's Emily Carey to lead indie feature Misper (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  47. Ramachandran, Naman (9 September 2025). "Geek Girl star Emily Carey, A Kind of Spark's Lola Blue lead autistic-centered The Birth of a Mall Goth (Exculsive)". Variety. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  48. "A Witness (directed by Linda Ludwig, James Curle)". Norwich Film Festival. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  49. Kay, Jeremy (10 February 2026). "Emily Carey, Martin Freeman, Sam Spruell to star in Oddly Flowers; production set for Canada, UK". Screen Daily. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  50. Ritman, Alex (30 April 2026). "Becoming Capa, starring Esther McGregor and Mark Eydelshteyn as famed war photographers Gerda Taro and Robert Capa, launching in Cannes with HanWay (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  51. Ritman, Alex (23 January 2026). "Dept. Q and House of the Dragon breakouts Aaron McVeigh and Emily Carey to star in Brit thriller Stray from director David Blair (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  52. Shafer, Ellise (13 May 2026). "Mutt star Lío Mehiel, House of the Dragon's Emily Carey to lead neo-western Camino, Beso and Pucci Productions launching at Cannes market (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  53. "Turn Up Charlie Series 1, Episode 3". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 9 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  54. White, George; Cormack, Morgan (26 August 2024). "Platform 7 cast | Full list of characters and actors in ITV drama". Radio Times. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  55. Otterson, Joe (2 June 2026). "Life Is Strange TV Series Casts Billy Barratt, Emily Carey, Esther McGregor, Faly Rakotohavana, Mia Isaac (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  56. "Baby It's Cold Outside (Music Video)". Curtis Brown. Archived from the original on 26 July 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  57. "Michael Aldag - Teenage Drama". Océane Combeau. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  58. "Bitch Get Out My Car [Official Music Video]". Say Now. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2026 – via YouTube.
  59. "Emily, a West End star aged just nine". Hastings & St Leonards Observer. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  60. "The Sound of Music". Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  61. Quinn, Dave (4 February 2025). "Ella Stiller to make Off-Broadway debut in Before This New Year (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved 6 June 2026.
  62. D'Amato, Lee (28 August 2025). "Ben Starr joins Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles cast as Dycedarg Beoulve". Screen Rant. Retrieved 6 June 2026. ...while Emily Carey, who voices a young Eunie in Xenoblade 3...
  63. Plante, Corey (29 September 2025). "Voice cast - Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles guide". IGN. Retrieved 5 June 2026.