Jemma Donovan Explained

Jemma Donovan
Birth Name:Jemma Donovan
Birth Date:28 March 2000
Birth Place:London, England, United Kingdom
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:2010–present
Father:Jason Donovan
Relatives:

Jemma Donovan (born 28 March 2000) is a British-Australian actress. She made her on-screen debut in the BBC television film Mr Stink when she was 12 years old. In 2015, Donovan played Maddy Bastière in the French-American series Spotless. After relocating to Australia, Donovan joined the regular cast of Neighbours as Harlow Robinson. Three members of her family had previously starred in the soap opera, including her father Jason Donovan. She made her debut in July 2019 and also appeared in the spin-off series . She left the serial in July 2022. Shortly after moving back to the United Kingdom, Donovan secured the role of "party girl" Rayne Royce who died from being pushed in her swimming pool by Romeo Nightingale in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks.

Early life

Donovan was born and raised in London, England.[1] She is the daughter of actor and singer Jason Donovan and his wife Angela Malloch. She has a younger brother and sister. Her grandfather is actor Terence Donovan and her grandmother is actress and presenter Sue McIntosh. Her aunt Stephanie McIntosh is also an actor and singer. Donovan realised she wanted to pursue a career in the entertainment industry while she was in school. She began attending drama classes when she was 10 years old.[2]

Career

Donovan was 12 years old when she appeared as bully Pippa in the BBC television film Mr Stink, which was adapted from the David Walliams book of the same name.[3] [4] Donovan said working on the film made her fall in love with acting.[3] In 2015, Donovan played Maddy Bastière in the French-American dark comedy-drama series Spotless, which was distributed by Netflix internationally.[5] She spent six months filming the series and she called it one of the best experiences of her life, as it taught her a lot about the industry. She admitted that she did not want to go back to school afterwards.[3] Donovan relocated to Australia in 2018, where she went on a number of auditions arranged by her father's agent, including for Home and Away.[2] [6]

Donovan's final audition was for the long-running soap opera Neighbours. Her father, grandfather, and aunt had all previously starred in the serial.[5] [2] She originally auditioned for the role of Roxy Willis, but producers felt she was not right for the part and it eventually went to Zima Anderson.[5] [6] Donovan was also unsure about being able to portray Roxy having read the "raunchy" scripts.[6] Producers later created the character of Harlow Robinson and Donovan was cast in the role. Harlow's storyline resembled Donovan's own move from the UK to Australia.[5] Of joining the cast, Donovan commented "I am so happy and very honoured to be a part of a series which has been enjoyed by generations. I really like my character Harlow. She is very headstrong, and I enjoy playing that type of character, who's not so intense, knows what she is doing and likes to get involved and Harlow seems to have those qualities."[7] Donovan later admitted that she had not watched the show before she was cast.[5] She made her debut as Harlow in July 2019.[7] That same year, she also appeared in the spin-off series .[8] In 2021, Donovan returned to the UK to film a special storyline for her character, alongside Amanda Holden.[9] Donovan's departure from Neighbours was confirmed in May 2022. She returned to the UK permanently after filming her final scenes, which were broadcast that July.[10]

In October 2022, Donovan joined the main cast of British soap opera Hollyoaks as Rayne Royce.[11] Donovan's character was part of a new group of 20-somethings living in a share house, which harks back to the serial's student-focused earlier years. Rayne was billed as a "party girl" and "a social media sensation."[11] Of her casting, Donovan stated "I am thrilled to be joining the cast of Hollyoaks! I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be able to bring something unique and fun to a new role and I can't wait to be a part of the Hollyoaks family."[11] Donovan made her first appearance on 17 January 2023.[12] On 13 September 2023, it was announced that the character would be murdered as part of a whodunit storyline with her final scenes airing on 26 September 2023.[13]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2012Mr StinkPippaTelevision film
2015SpotlessMaddy BastièreMain role
2019–2022NeighboursHarlow Robinson374 episodes
2019Main role
2023–2024HollyoaksRayne Royce86 episodes

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
2023National Television AwardsRising StarHollyoaks[14]
2023Inside Soap AwardsBest NewcomerHollyoaks[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: My life in 10 pictures – Jemma Donovan. 6 December 2021. New Idea. 18 November 2022. PressReader.
  2. Web site: Exclusive: Jason Donovan on daughter Jemma following in her father's footsteps and starring on Neighbours. Dunk. Tiffany. 27 February 2020. Woman's Weekly. 19 November 2022.
  3. 2–8 May 2020. You ask... they answer Jemma Donovan Neighbours' Harlow Robinson ...faces your questions!. Inside Soap. 18. 50–51.
  4. Web site: Donovan family tradition continues as Jemma heads to Ramsay Street. 27 March 2019. Mediaweek. 12 October 2022.
  5. News: Jason Donovan's daughter Jemma joins cast of Neighbours. 6 July 2019. The Daily Telegraph. 18 November 2022. subscription.
  6. Web site: Neighbours star Jemma Donovan reveals she nearly played a different character. Lee. Jess. 9 April 2020. Digital Spy. 13 April 2020.
  7. News: Jason's family makes good Neighbours. Epstein. Jackie. 27 March 2019. Herald Sun. 18 November 2022. PressReader.
  8. Web site: My5 Sets Premiere Date For Neighbours: Erinsborough High'. Munn. Patrick. 27 October 2019. TVWise. 27 October 2019.
  9. Web site: Neighbours casts Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden for special London storyline. Lee. Jess. 7 October 2021. Digital Spy. 18 November 2022.
  10. Web site: Neighbours confirms exit for Harlow Robinson ahead of show finale. Warner. Sam. Kilkelly. Daniel. 17 May 2022. Digital Spy. 18 November 2022.
  11. Web site: Hollyoaks casts Neighbours star Jemma Donovan for exciting new character group. Kilkelly. Daniel. 12 October 2022. Digital Spy. 14 October 2022.
  12. Tyler. Laura-Jayne. 22–28 October 2022. From Neighbours to Hollyoaks!. Inside Soap. 43. 13.
  13. News: Kilkelly . Daniel . Hollyoaks airs Rayne Royce's exit scene in Channel 4 streaming episode . 26 September 2023 . Digital Spy.
  14. News: Mata . William . National Television Awards 2023: Full list of nominations and how to vote . 23 May 2023 . . 23 May 2023.
  15. The Inside Soap Awards 2023 - cast your vote now! . . 4–10 July 2023.