Karene Peter

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Karene Peter
Born
Karene Estelle Peter

(1991-01-18) 18 January 1991
Waltham Forest, London, England
Alma materIdentity School of Acting
OccupationActress
Years active2013–present

Karene Estelle Peter (born 18 January 1991) is an English actress. Whilst working in retail, a friend convinced her to join her acting class and she eventually began making appearances in British television series including Holby City and Doctors. She then portrayed the role of Serena in the CBBC series The Sparticle Mystery. After a recurring role in the BBC period drama Call the Midwife, she was cast as Naomi Walters in the ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale, a role she stayed in from 2022 to 2023.

Life and career

Karene Estelle Peter was born on 18 January 1991 in the London Borough of Waltham Forest.[1][2][3] Whilst on a gap year from university, she worked in Sports Direct. Whilst there, a friend told her to join her acting class, and after she trained at the Identity School of Acting, she started booking television, advertisement and stage roles.[4] Peter's television debut was in an episode of the BBC medical drama Holby City in 2013, shortly followed by a role in fellow BBC medical soap opera Doctors that same year.[5] Also in 2013, Peter was cast in the role of Serena on the CBBC science fiction series The Sparticle Mystery. She starred in the second and third series.[6]

In 2016, Peter made her film debut in the comedy film Mindhorn. A year later, she appeared in an episode of the ITV1 crime drama series Unforgotten.[4] 2021 saw Peter appear in the recurring role of student midwife Georgette Baines in the BBC period drama series Call the Midwife.[7] A year later, she was cast in the ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale as Naomi Walters.[8] Peter said it was surreal to be joining Emmerdale, having watched the soap as a child.[4] Her character was introduced as the daughter of established characters Charles (Kevin Mathurin) and Esme (Eva Fontaine) and the younger sister of Ethan Anderson (Emile John). Naomi was initially referenced on the soap in October 2021 when Esme mentions her to Charles.[9] She made her first appearance on 14 June 2022.[10] In April 2023, it was announced that Peter had quit her role as Naomi. A spokesperson said that Peter had enjoyed her time on Emmerdale, but due to wanting to play different roles, she had made the decision to leave.[11] Peter's character made her final appearance on 6 July 2023, with the soap writing her out in a way that could accommodate Peter's return in the future, if she wanted.[12]

Following her Emmerdale exit, Peter appeared in the 2023 film Rye Lane.[13] In 2026, she joined the stage production of Jaja's African Hair Braiding at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith.[14][15] The play is set in a Harlem hair braiding salon and follows a group of West African immigrant braiders and their customers.[16]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Holby City Lyndsey Campbell Episode: "Promises, Promises"
2013 Doctors Amy Chander Episode: "Where the Buck Stops"
2013–2015 The Sparticle Mystery Serena Main role
2016 Mindhorn Jane the Runner Film
2017 Unforgotten WPC Grant Guest role
2021 Call the Midwife Georgette Baines Recurring role
2022–2023 Emmerdale Naomi Walters Regular role
2023 Rye Lane Gia Film

Stage

Year Title Role Venue Ref.
Unknown The Petticoat Rebellion Ensemble Shaftesbury Theatre [17]
Licence to Thrill Ensemble Theatre Royal Drury Lane [17]
2026 Jaja's African Hair Braiding Jennifer Lyric Theatre [18]

References

  1. "Emmerdale's Karene Peter's accidental career change and astonishing real age away from Naomi Walters". RSVP Live. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  2. Peter, Karene. "18.01.26 | 35🎂✨". Instagram. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  3. "Karene Peter". Genes Reunited. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  4. "Everything you need to know about Emmerdale's Naomi star Karene Peter as she joins ITV soap". OK!. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  5. "Inside Emmerdale newbie Karene Peter's life – from accidental fame to old retail job". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  6. "Emmerdale: Who is newcomer Naomi and Karene Peter who plays her?". Metro. Archived from the original on 30 June 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  7. "ITV Emmerdale new star's 'accidental' fame ahead of soap debut in major storyline". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  8. White, Kate (2–8 July 2022). "Charles meets his secret daughter!". Inside Soap. No. 27. pp. 22–23.
  9. Haasler, Sue (28 June 2022). "Emmerdale spoilers: Charles is reunited with his lost daughter Naomi but disaster strikes". Metro. (DMG Media). Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  10. Kitson, Calli (23 August 2022). "Emmerdale star Karene Peter explains Naomi's involvement in Nicola's attack". Metro. (DMG Media). Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  11. Daly, Helen (25 April 2023). "Emmerdale star 'quits ITV soap after a year'". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  12. Mitchell, Harriet (25 April 2023). "Emmerdale exit for Naomi Walters as Karene Peter leaves show". Digital Spy. (Hearst Communications). Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  13. "How Rom-Com Rye Lane Pays Homage to South London". Time. Archived from the original on 13 May 2025. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  14. "Tony-Winning 'Jaja's African Hair Braiding' Unveils Full Cast for U.K. Bow (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  15. "Twists in the tale: Jaja's African Hair Braiding explores immigrant experience through a day at the salon". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  16. "Casting revealed for 'Jaja's African Hair Braiding'". London Theatre. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  17. "Karene Peter". Spotlight. Retrieved 25 March 2026.
  18. "Cast for Jaja's African Hair Braiding's UK premiere revealed". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 25 March 2026.