Garcia Brown

Garcia Brown
Born1993 or 1994 (age 32–33)
OccupationActress
Years active2012–
TelevisionHollyoaks

Garcia Alicia Brown (born 1993 or 1994) is a British actress. She loved performing in talents shows as a child and was subsequently invited to join a weekend drama company, which led to her getting an agent years later. When she was 17 years old, she guest-starred in a 2012 episode of Shameless, which marked her television debu. She subsequently appeared in the series A Lesson Learnt (2015), the films The Weekend (2016) and Another Life (2017), the short film Repost (2017) and the children's audio comedy-drama series King Frank and the Knights of the Eco Quest! (2021). In 2021, Brown was cast as Zoe Anderson in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, with her first appearance airing in February 2022. She continued appearing as a regular character until January 2025 and was nominated for several awards for the role. Brown also portrayed a leading role in the 2023 horror film A Song From The Dark and also founded the beauty brand "I Lust Beauty".

Early life

Garcia Brown was born in 1993 or 1994.[1] Brown's parents broke up when she was young, which she initially found difficult.[1] Brown remained with her mother and her new partner.[1] Brown was an only child until she was 13 years old.[1] As a child, her parents made sure that she was always active with hobbies and activities as they tried to shelter her, and she liked writing stories and considered herself a creative person.[1] She also took both swimming and gymnastic lessons as a child.[1] She used to take part in talent shows at her school, and when she was eight years old, her school told her mother that a drama company wanted Brown to join so she started going every weekend, and she stopped attending swimming and gymnastics as they clashed.[1] She enjoyed being part of the drama company and taking part in productions there, including adaptations of Little Shop of Horrors and Bugsy Malone.[1]

Career

After appearing in the adaptation of Bugsy Malone when she was about 15 years old, she got her first agent, which led to her later getting her first television credit when she was 17 and in college,[1] when she guest-starred as Keisha in the tenth episode of the nineth series of the British comedy drama television series Shameless, which originally aired on 6 March 2012.[2][3][4] Brown had initially auditioned for another role in Shameless and was working in Hollister when she received the call that she got the role.[1] She enjoyed working on Shameless and this made her realise that she wanted to pursue acting as a career.[1] She starred in the television series A Lesson Learnt in 2015, and also appeared in the 2016 comedy film The Weekend and the 2017 movie In Another Life.[2][5] Brown also starred as the lead role in the Godiva short film Repost, which was made to raise awareness of county lines drug trafficking.[6][7]

In February 2022, it was announced that Brown had joined the regular cast of the British soap opera Hollyoaks as new detective Zoe Anderson, the granddaughter of established character Pearl Anderson (Dawn Hope).[2] Brown was cast in the role in 2021, after being rejected from a role in another production, which had made her feel the "lowest" she had felt in her career.[1] Brown initially did not known that the role was for Hollyoaks, believing it was for a Netflix production instead, and after sending off a tape for the audition and then was invited by Hollyoaks to do another audition in the studio.[1] Brown started working on the soap in October 2021 but had to keep her casting a secret, having signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement, and she struggled with not being able to tell those close to her and had to give excuses when she was invited to plans by her friends.[1] Brown found joining the soap very "exhilarating", adding, "I didn't know what to expect coming into the show but I felt right at home the moment I got here, and I'm super excited for what's in store."[2][8] Brown used to watch Hollyoaks when she was at school and noted "Everytime someone asks me about Hollyoaks, I can't help but smile!"[9] Within a few months of joining the soap, she became good friends with her colleagues Hope, Eva O'Hara (who played Verity Hutchinson) and Jorgie Porter (who plays Theresa McQueen).[10] Brown's first episode as Zoe aired on 18 February 2022.[2]

During Brown's stint on the soap, Zoe's storylines included a relationship with Sam Chen-Williams (Matthew McGivern) and its breakdown,[11] her work in the police and the conflict it causes with her family,[12] her fractured relationship with her mother Sharon Bailey (Jamelia),[13] having an abortion,[14] being a suspect in the murder of Rayne Royce (Jemma Donovan),[15] dating Hunter McQueen (Theo Graham) and cheating on him with his brother Prince McQueen (Malique Thompson-Dwyer),[16] and giving birth to Hunter's baby prematurely.[17] Brown was excited to work with Jamelia, having watched her on television when she was younger, and the pair developed a bond with her offscreen, with Brown calling Jamelia her "soul family".[18] Brown was longlisted for "Best Newcomer" at the 2022 Inside Soap Awards for her role as Zoe,[19] although she did not make the shortlist.[20] Later that year, she came third for "Best Soap Newcomer" at the 2022 Digital Spy Reader Awards.[21] At the 2023 British Soap Awards, the scene where Zoe tells abused Maxine Minniver (Nikki Sanderson) that it is not her fault was nominated for "Scene of the Year".[22][23][24] Brown later left the soap and her exit originally aired on 21 January 2025.[25]

Brown portrayed Sammy Williams in the 2023 Nigerian horror film A Song From The Dark.[26] Peace Oseyenum and Brown's performances in the scene where Sammy is possessed by Anioji were praised by Kolapo Mustapha from Nollywood Reinvented.[27] Brown also voiced Catrain in the children's comedy-audio drama podcast series King Frank and the Knights of the Eco Quest![28] Additionally, Brown founded the beauty brand "I Lust Beauty", which specialises in vegan eye beauty products.[29]

Personal life

Brown has said that she is really into "visualisation and manifesting" and believed that it helped her successful obtain her Hollyoaks role.[30] Brown considers music a significant part of who she is and she likes to make people laugh.[1] She also said in a 2022 interview that she considers herself a workaholic but likes self-care.[1] Early on in her stint on Hollyoaks, Brown was given some time off after the death of two of her close friends who she considered were like brothers to her.[1]

Acting credits

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 Shameless Keisha 1 episode (Series 9, episode 10) [3]
2015 A Lesson Learnt Dior Television series [5]
2016 The Weekend Shop assistant Comedy film [2]
2017 Repost Sasha Short film [6]
2017 Another Life Ganet Film [5]
2021 King Frank and the Knights of the Eco Quest! Catrain Comedy-drama audio drama [28]
2022–25 Hollyoaks Zoe Anderson Regular role [25]
2023 A Song From The Dark Sammy Williams Horror film [26]

Awards and nominations

List of acting awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2022 Inside Soap Awards Best Newcomer Hollyoaks Longlisted [19]
2022 Digital Spy Reader Awards Best Soap Newcomer Hollyoaks Shortlisted [21]
2023 The British Soap Awards Scene of the Year Zoe Tells Abused Maxine "It's not your fault" (Hollyoaks) Nominated [22]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Suma H (19 June 2022). "A journey to becoming an Actor on Hollyoaks Garcia Brown's story ToughCess EP4". YouTube. Archived from the original on 16 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Harp, Justin. "Hollyoaks casts Garcia Brown as new detective for the village". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Series 9, Episode 10". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 16 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Garcia Alicia Brown". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 16 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Knight, Dominic (15 February 2022). "Hollyoaks welcomes Garcia Brown to the cast". ATV Today. Archived from the original on 10 August 2026. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Filmography". Godiva. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Godiva Films (19 April 2019). "REPOST | Short Film | Drama". YouTube. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Harp, Justin (18 February 2022). "Hollyoaks sets up new character arrival with Saul news". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Penwill, Alice (19–25 March 2022). ""Zoe won't back down!"". Inside Soap. pp. 52–53.
  10. ↑ Anderton, Joe (20 March 2022). "Hollyoaks newcomer Garcia Brown teases possible romance for Zoe". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  11. ↑ Lewis, George (3 June 2023). "Hollyoaks star Garcia Brown rules out future Zoe story". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  12. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (23 July 2022). "Hollyoaks reveals stabbing aftermath in 13 new spoiler pictures". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  13. ↑ Lewis, George (18 March 2023). "Hollyoaks star Jamelia reflects on past appearance on the soap 20 years ago". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 3 May 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  14. ↑ Harp, Justin (1 June 2023). "Hollyoaks' Zoe Anderson chooses to terminate pregnancy". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  15. ↑ Dainty, Sophie (27 September 2023). "Hollyoaks – Who killed Rayne Royce?". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  16. ↑ Lamacraft, Tess (30 April 2024). "Hollyoaks spoilers: Love Cheat! Zoe Anderson makes a horrifying confession!". What to Watch. Future plc. Archived from the original on 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  17. ↑ Anderton, Joe (21 August 2024). "Hollyoaks airs surprise proposal as Zoe gives birth early". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 5 July 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  18. ↑ Hughes, Johnathon (3–9 June 2023). "Some kind of Super-Ma!". Inside Soap. No. 22. p. 47.
  19. 1 2 "Inside Soap Awards announces nominations and new category for 2022 event". Digital Spy. 10 August 2023.
  20. ↑ "Inside Soap Awards announce final shortlist for 2022 ceremony". Digital Spy. 10 August 2023.
  21. 1 2 Rowan, Iona (20 December 2022). "The Digital Spy Reader Awards 2022 full results". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 4 August 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  22. 1 2 Bourne, Dianne (4 June 2023). "British Soap Awards winners list in full as Coronation Street wins big on home turf". Manchester Evening News. Reach plc. Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  23. ↑ Kilkelly, Daniel (3 June 2023). "British Soap Awards 2023 winners revealed – which shows won prizes?". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  24. ↑ "The British Soap Awards 2023 - Winners list". ITVX. ITV. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  25. 1 2 Lewis, George (21 January 2025). "Hollyoaks airs another major exit in Jeremy Blake plot". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 14 August 2026. Retrieved 14 August 2026.
  26. 1 2 "A Song From The Dark". Apple TV. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 9 August 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  27. ↑ Mustapha, Kolapo (28 July 2024). "A Song From The Dark". Nollywood Reinvented. Archived from the original on 31 May 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
  28. 1 2 "King Frank and the Knights of the Eco Quest!". Fun Kids. Archived from the original on 15 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  29. ↑ "About Us". ILust Beauty. Archived from the original on 16 August 2026. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  30. ↑ Hughes, Johnathon (3–9 June 2023). ""Sam is blackmailing Zoe into having his baby!"". Inside Soap. No. 22. pp. 46–47.
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