Mimi Keene has become a familiar face on British TV, and her breakout role in EastEnders has earned her legions of dedicated fans.
The actor is now starring in the BBC's latest Agatha Christie adaptation, Towards Zero, which centres around a murder at an aristocratic manor on the south coast of England in the 1930s.
"After a scandalous celebrity divorce, British tennis star Nevile Strange (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and his ex-wife Audrey (Ella Lily Hyland) make the unthinkable decision to spend a summer together at Gull's Point, their childhood home and the coastal estate of Nevile's aunt, Lady Tressilian (Anjelica Huston)," teases the official synopsis.
Mimi plays Nevile's new wife, Kay, who joins the duo on a tension-filled holiday that ends with a shocking murder.
"A troubled detective must rediscover his purpose to untangle a toxic web of jealousy, deceit, and dysfunction. Can he solve the crime before another victim meets their death?" the logline concludes.
Ahead of the drama's anticipated BBC One premiere later tonight (March 2), let's delve deeper into Mimi Keene's life away from the show.
Acting Beginnings
Mimi was born in the London Borough of Redbridge in 1998 to an English mother and a British Pakistani father.
She was destined to be on the screen from a young age, attending the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts from 2009 to 2014.
While studying at the renowned acting school, Mimi appeared on the CBBC documentary School for Stars, following the Academy's students as they trained and auditioned for various on-screen roles.
Mimi made her professional debut playing Janey in Kin at The Royal Court Theatre in 2010. She also appeared in CBBC's Sadie J, playing Brandy May Lou, and in BBC military drama Our Girl as Jade Dawes.
EastEnders
In 2013, Mimi joined the cast of EastEnders as the rebellious Cindy Williams, daughter of Walford legend Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins). She took over the role from Eva Sayer, who played the part in 2007.
Cindy Jr returned to the Square after she escaped her grandparents' home in Devon to join the Beales. Shortly after moving in with Ian Beale and his then-wife Jane, Cindy became a wild child, with Peter often forced to bail his younger sister out of trouble.
In 2014, Cindy was embroiled in the dramatic 'Who Killed Lucy Beale' plotline. She was a suspect in the murder mystery, along with many other characters, before it was revealed that Bobby Beale had committed the crime.
After two years on the Square, Cindy left Walford in August 2015, moving to Germany with her boyfriend, Liam Butcher, and their daughter, Beth.
During her time on the BBC soap, Mimi earned several British Soap Award and Inside Soap Award nominations.
Sex Education
In 2019, Mimi landed a role in Netflix's hit teen drama Sex Education. She played Moordale's resident popular girl, Ruby Matthews, who appeared in all four seasons until 2023.
Unlike the mean persona she showed at school, Ruby harboured a heartbreaking secret - at home, she cared for her dad, who suffered from multiple sclerosis (MS).
After learning about her family challenges, the main character, Otis, forms a friendship with Ruby, and the pair become a couple in season three. However, it wasn't to be, as Otis realizes he cannot get over Maeve.
"I honestly can't believe how lucky I am. I get to work with the most incredible cast and crew and look forward to every day I'm on set. I have to pinch myself a little when I think of how groundbreaking the show is and that I get to be a small cog in the machine that is Sex Ed," Mimi previously said.
As well as her roles in EastEnders and Sex Education, Mimi is also known for appearing in Casualty, The Escape, Tolkien, and After Everything.
Ahead of Towards Zero's first episode airing tonight, Mimi spoke to The Mirror and other media at a press event for the series, where she opened up about working with Hollywood legend Anjelica Huston.
"I was obviously a bit nervous... As soon as we started, she made me feel so relaxed, and I was able to do my job," she explained.
"So, it was a very surreal experience in that sense. I was scared, but it was so wonderful and off-set she was amazing."
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