Harriet Thorpe

Harriet Amelia Thorpe (born 8 June 1957) is an English actress. Thorpe trained at London's Central School of Speech and Drama. She is known for her roles in the British sitcoms, The Brittas Empire (1991–1997) and Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012) and has also starred in the West End musicals, Cabaret (2006), Wicked (2008) and Mamma Mia! (2010). In 2023, she took over the role of Elaine Peacock in the BBC soap opera, EastEnders. Early life Harriet Amelia Thorpe was born on 8 June 1957 in Hampstead, London. She is the daughter of Gillian (née Freeman), a writer, and Edward Thorpe, an actor and writer. Her sister is the actress Matilda Thorpe. Thorpe studied dance at the Royal Ballet School and afterwards attended Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 1979. She is Jewish.