EastEnders star is worlds away from Penny Branning role in ITV’s true crime drama

Long before audiences saw Kitty Castledine take over as Penny Branning in EastEnders, the character was first brought to life by Mia McKenna-Bruce.

The actress joined the BBC soap in 2008 as Jack Branning’s eldest daughter, introducing viewers to a character whose emotional backstory quickly became one of the Branning family’s defining storylines. Although Mia’s time in Albert Square was relatively brief, it marked the beginning of what has since become one of the most impressive careers of any former young EastEnders star.

Now, almost two decades later, Mia has established herself as one of Britain’s fastest-rising actresses, leading acclaimed dramas for ITV and Netflix while earning industry recognition for her performances across film and television.

Mia McKenna-Bruce Was EastEnders’ Original Penny Branning

Mia made her EastEnders debut in 2008 as Penny Branning, the daughter of Jack Branning, played by Scott Maslen.

Penny arrived in Walford carrying a deeply emotional history connected to her father’s past. Prior to her arrival, the character had sustained life-changing injuries in a road incident that permanently affected her mobility, leading Penny to become a wheelchair user.

The storyline explored the impact the tragedy had on both Penny and Jack, adding another emotional layer to the Branning family’s complicated history.

Although Penny remained in Albert Square for only a short period, the character left a lasting impression before moving away to continue her life abroad.

Fifteen years later, EastEnders reintroduced Penny to Walford with actress Kitty Castledine taking over the role.

The character has since become heavily involved in current storylines and is now expecting her first child while keeping the baby’s true paternity hidden from boyfriend Vinny Panesar, creating another dramatic chapter in Penny’s life.

From Albert Square To Leading Lady

While Penny’s story continued with a new actress, Mia McKenna-Bruce’s own career moved in an entirely different direction.

Following her departure from EastEnders, she steadily built an impressive résumé across British television before breaking into high-profile international productions.

Today, she is recognised not simply as a former soap actress but as one of the UK’s most exciting young screen talents.

Her performances in recent years have taken her from family dramas and streaming hits to prestige period productions and critically acclaimed films.

Mia Takes Centre Stage In ITV’s The Lady

One of Mia’s biggest television roles came earlier this year when she led ITV’s true-crime inspired drama The Lady.

Created by the team behind The Crown, the four-part series explores the story of Jane Andrews, the former dresser to Sarah, Duchess of York.

Although the drama is inspired by real events, ITV has confirmed that certain elements have been fictionalised for dramatic purposes.

Mia takes on the challenging role of Jane Andrews, charting the character’s journey from an ambitious young woman beginning a prestigious royal career to the extraordinary events that later transformed her life.

The series follows Andrews after she answers an advertisement for a personal dresser, eventually securing a position working for Sarah Ferguson.

As the story unfolds, viewers watch Jane’s life take an increasingly dramatic and tragic direction, with the production examining both the public attention surrounding the case and the personal circumstances behind it.

Mia’s emotionally layered performance quickly became one of the most talked-about aspects of the series.

Viewers praised her ability to portray a complicated character with both vulnerability and emotional depth, helping elevate the drama beyond a conventional true-crime adaptation.

Audiences Praise Mia’s Performance

Following the release of The Lady, audiences responded positively to Mia’s leading performance.

Many viewers highlighted her ability to carry the series, with praise focusing on the emotional complexity she brought to the central role.

Online reactions described her work as compelling and convincing, while many singled out the chemistry between Mia and co-star Natalie Dormer as one of the drama’s greatest strengths.

Critics and audiences alike noted that the performances helped transform a well-known real-life story into an engaging character-driven television drama.

Leading Netflix’s Seven Dials

Mia’s success continued with another leading role, this time in Netflix’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials.

Based on the author’s 1929 novel, the three-part mystery places Mia at the centre of the story as Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent.

Bundle is an adventurous young socialite whose life changes dramatically after a tragedy leads her into an increasingly complex mystery.

Rather than standing on the sidelines, she takes an active role in uncovering the truth, gradually finding herself caught in a web of secrets, deception and danger.

The role allows Mia to showcase both her dramatic ability and natural charisma while leading one of Christie’s classic mysteries.

A Star-Studded Ensemble Cast

Seven Dials also boasts an impressive supporting cast.

Joining Mia are Martin Freeman, Helena Bonham Carter, Edward Bluemel and Iain Glen, bringing together performers well known for their work in Sherlock, The Crown, Sex Education and Game of Thrones.

The production combines classic period drama with mystery and suspense, building steadily towards a surprising finale while leaving room for the story to continue in the future.

For Mia, leading such a distinguished ensemble represents another major milestone in a career that continues to gather momentum.

A Career Filled With Standout Roles

Long before becoming the lead of The Lady and Seven Dials, Mia had already established herself across several popular television productions.

She became a familiar face to younger audiences through her long-running role as Tee Taylor in the Tracy Beaker franchise between 2010 and 2018.

Her breakthrough film role arrived in 2023 when she starred as Tara in How to Have Sex.

The performance earned widespread critical acclaim and resulted in Mia receiving the prestigious BAFTA Rising Star Award, firmly establishing her as one of Britain’s brightest emerging performers.

Her television credits also include Cleaning Up alongside Sheridan Smith, The Witcher, Get Even, Vera, Last Train to Christmas, Netflix’s Persuasion and the American fantasy drama Vampire Academy.

Each project has demonstrated her versatility, allowing her to move comfortably between contemporary drama, period productions, mystery, fantasy and coming-of-age stories.

A Remarkable Journey Since EastEnders

Looking back at Mia McKenna-Bruce’s career, it is remarkable to see how far she has come since first appearing in Albert Square.

What began with a memorable role in one of Britain’s biggest soaps has evolved into a career spanning award-winning films, acclaimed television dramas and major international productions.

Although today’s EastEnders viewers now know Penny Branning through Kitty Castledine’s portrayal, Mia will always remain the actress who first introduced the character to audiences.

Nearly two decades after making her Walford debut, she has become one of the UK’s most sought-after young actresses, with every new project further confirming her status as a rising star.

From the streets of Albert Square to leading roles on ITV and Netflix, Mia McKenna-Bruce’s career continues to go from strength to strength—and judging by her recent success, her biggest performances may still be ahead.