Haris
If you’ve just watched something on the BBC or Channel 4 and found yourself asking “who is Hannah Onslow”, the answer is straightforward: she’s an English actress from Romford who trained at RADA and has built a fast-moving career across British television and film since 2020. This piece covers where she started, the roles that put her on the map, and what she’s working on now, plus answers to the questions people search for most.
You’ll find her background and training, a rundown of her key television and film credits, what she’s doing in 2026, and an FAQ covering her age, background and upcoming work.
Who Is Hannah Onslow?
Hannah Lucy Onslow was born on 1 April 1998 in Romford, Greater London. She attended the BRIT School, the performing arts school in Croydon that’s produced a long list of well-known British actors and musicians, before training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where she graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting.
Her career started properly the following year. She’s been working consistently in British television and film ever since, moving between period drama, crime drama and comedy without settling into a single type of role.
Hannah Onslow’s Early Career and Training
Onslow made her television debut in 2020 with a guest appearance in Call the Midwife, the long-running BBC One period drama. The following year, she took a more substantial role as Elise in Ridley Road, another BBC One drama, based on the novel about the 62 Group’s fight against fascism in 1960s London.
These early credits gave her the on-screen experience to move into bigger film work within two years of leaving RADA, which is a quick turnaround by industry standards.
Breakout Film Role: Empire of Light
Onslow’s feature film debut came in 2022, playing Janine in Empire of Light, Sam Mendes’ drama set in a seaside cinema. The film starred Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward and Colin Firth, and it received nominations at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.
Appearing in a Mendes film opposite Colman and Firth as a debut film role is a notable step up, and it’s the credit most profiles of Onslow lead with. She followed it the same year with This Is Going to Hurt, the BBC One adaptation of Adam Kay’s memoir about life as a junior doctor.
Hannah Onslow’s TV Roles Since 2023
Her television work since 2023 spans several genres rather than sticking to one lane.
- The Doll Factory (2023): a Paramount+ series adaptation of Elizabeth Macneal’s novel, set in Victorian London.
- This City Is Ours (2025): she played Diana, the female lead, in this BBC One crime drama set in Liverpool’s organised crime scene, starring alongside Sean Bean. The series won Best Drama at the Royal Television Society North West Awards.
- Belgravia: The Next Chapter (2025): she played Emily Dunn in this MGM+ period drama written by Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey.
- Big Mood (2026): she joined the Channel 4 comedy drama’s second series as Whitney, a Californian “spiritual influencer”, alongside Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West.
[Table: Hannah Onslow television and film credits showing year, title, role and broadcaster]
| Year | Title | Role | Broadcaster/platform |
| 2020 | Call the Midwife | Guest role | BBC One |
| 2021 | Ridley Road | Elise | BBC One |
| 2022 | Empire of Light | Janine | Film (cinema release) |
| 2022 | This Is Going to Hurt | Cast | BBC One |
| 2023 | The Doll Factory | Cast | Paramount+ |
| 2023 | Unicorns | Cast | Film (cinema release) |
| 2025 | This City Is Ours | Diana | BBC One |
| 2025 | Belgravia: The Next Chapter | Emily Dunn | MGM+ |
| 2026 | Big Mood (series 2) | Whitney | Channel 4 |
What Hannah Onslow Is Doing in 2026
Onslow is currently on screen in Big Mood series 2 on Channel 4, playing Whitney, an American character described as a “spiritual influencer” who becomes central to a new friendship storyline involving Lydia West’s character Eddie. She’s also credited in the upcoming films Jay Kelly and The Second Time Around, both due for release.
In February 2026, she appeared at the Girls on Film Awards to discuss representation for women in the industry, which points to a growing public profile alongside her acting credits.
FAQ
Q: How old is Hannah Onslow?
Hannah Onslow was born on 1 April 1998, which makes her 28 as of August 2026. Her age is confirmed on her Wikipedia page and matches the birth year listed on her IMDb profile.
Q: Where is Hannah Onslow from?
She’s from Romford in Greater London. She attended the BRIT School in nearby Croydon before training at RADA in central London.
Q: What is Hannah Onslow’s most famous role?
Her most widely recognised credit is playing Janine in Sam Mendes’ 2022 film Empire of Light, alongside Olivia Colman and Colin Firth. Her role as Diana in the BBC crime drama This City Is Ours, which won Best Drama at the Royal Television Society North West Awards, is also a major credit on television.
Q: Did Hannah Onslow appear in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny?
Yes, IMDb credits her in the cast of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). Specific role details for this credit weren’t confirmed in the sources checked for this article, so check IMDb directly for the full cast breakdown.
Q: What is Hannah Onslow’s role in Big Mood?
She plays Whitney, a Californian “spiritual influencer”, in the second series of the Channel 4 comedy drama Big Mood, appearing alongside Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West. The character becomes part of a storyline involving a new friendship that develops after the fallout between the two leads in series one.
Q: Where did Hannah Onslow train as an actress?
She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting. Before RADA, she attended the BRIT School, a specialist performing arts school in Croydon.
Q: Is Hannah Onslow in any upcoming films?
Yes, she’s credited in the upcoming films Jay Kelly and The Second Time Around, both listed on her IMDb profile. Release dates and full role details weren’t independently confirmed against a primary UK source at the time of writing, so check IMDb or the films’ official listings closer to release.
