Hannah Traylen

Hannah Traylen (born 28 March 1995) is an English actress, writer, producer and singer-songwriter. She gained recognition as Holly in Boiling Point (2021 film) and Boiling Point (2023 TV series), and for her role as Chrissy in Ridley Road.

Early life and education Hannah Traylen is of Northwestern European heritage and is from Crawley in West Sussex. Her family run a coach company. She has one sibling, Hollie.

Traylen studied at Oriel High School in Crawley. Whilst studying, her drama teacher, Nathan Gardner, who has links with Central Junior Television Workshop in Nottingham, noticed her talent and encouraged her to pursue acting professionally. Traylen credits Nathan and Abbie for supporting her to learn about drama schools, apply for courses and grants, and attend auditions.

Traylen was accepted into drama school at the age of 17, and trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts (2013–16), graduating with a BA (Hons) in Acting. In an interview with Wonderland (magazine) in 2023, Traylen said "I felt like Billy Elliot arriving at the Royal Ballet School."

Personal life In 2026, Traylen was announced as an ambassador for ADHD UK.

Traylen is also a Patron for CFI Academy ; a free, accessible training hub dedicated to empowering young filmmakers.

Career

Film and television Traylen's first television appearance was in a 2017 episode of Unforgotten. The same year, she appeared as Beryl, a young mother in active labour, in Call the Midwife, Nancy, in British period drama Harlots set in 1760s London, and Kenneth Lonergan's drama miniseries Howards End, based on E. M. Forster's 1910 novel of the same name, for BBC/Starz.

In 2021, Traylen played drug-dealer Holly, in the BAFTA-nominated one-take film Boiling Point. She played hairdresser Chrissy, in all episodes of Ridley Road, a BBC four-part drama thriller set in 1960s London, following a young Jewish hairdresser who goes undercover to infiltrate a rising neo-Nazi movement, alongside Agnes O'Casey, Tamzin Outhwaite, and Tracy-Ann Oberman. She also appeared as Mandy in the Netflix psychological thriller miniseries Behind Her Eyes, based on Sarah Pinborough’s novel of the same name, alongside Eve Hewson.

In 2022, she played protagonist Vix, in Signature Entertainment's crime horror film Hounded (released as Hunted in the United States and other international markets), alongside Samantha Bond, Nick Moran, and James Lance.

In 2023, Traylen reprised her role as Holly, in Boiling Point, as one of the principal cast members featured in the kitchen, and Vinette Robinson's character, Carly's, love interest. She also played guest lead, Hayley Collins, in an episode of Beyond Paradise, and featured in the award-winning Cadbury Dairy Milk commercial Garage alongside Mark Womack.

In 2024, she played Hayley, in the Paramount+ series Sexy Beast, and alongside Martin Freeman in BBC series The Responder, as Emma.

In 2025, she played Helen, in Aneil Karia's short film Vote Gavin Lyle, alongside Jack Lowden.

In 2026, she played Tia in Chris Green's thriller/drama film Synthesized, alongside Thomas Turgoose. She also played Claire in First Day on Earth.

Traylen's debut feature film as a writer is currently in pre-production with It's All Made Up Productions (Adolescence, Boiling Point). And Aliya Al-Hassan for BroadwayWorld described Traylen as "standout" for bringing "believable nuance and heart to the role".

Samantha Collett for North West End UK described Traylen as "an absolute firecracker of a performer", for her performance as Rita in Educating Rita (2025), and said "Traylen is flawless", of her performance as Marianne in Constellations (2024).

In 2026, Traylen starred as Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the UK, in Ruth The Musical at Wilton's Music Hall. Her performance led West End Best Friend reviewer Heidi Downing to write “Traylen is a powerful, standout performer who makes for a gripping lead throughout the show, highlighting the emotional intricacies and inner battles of Ruth Ellis, particularly in sensitive scenes regarding alcoholism, miscarriage and being a victim of violence." Simon Finn for Everything Theatre described Traylen as "a compelling stage presence, shining brightly and full of considered nuance".

Music In 2018, Traylen released her debut 4-track EP Actions Speak Louder, under the alias Nearly T (an anagram of her surname). She quickly gained recognition from BBC Music Introducing, playing a live radio set with her band on BBC Introducing in Sussex & Surrey with Melita Dennett, which was broadcast across BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Surrey. She appeared as the supporting act for UK garage pioneers Artful Dodger (duo) at Cargo in Shoreditch, London.

In 2026, she featured on Aymen Valentino's drum and bass single Addicted To Your Love, under the alias TRAYLEN. She wrote alongside Valentino, performed on the track, and directed the music video. She described the narrative, "a journey from drowning in love for others, back to self".

Traylen has explored themes of identity, vulnerability, love, and resilience in her music. It's been noted for "distinctive vocals and candid lyricism".

Credits

Film

Television

Theatre

Voiceovers, Radio and Audiobooks

Discography

Extended plays As lead artist Title Year Publisher Format DetailsActions Speak Louder 2018 Ditto Music Digital download Alias: Nearly T Released: 11 May 2018 Singer-songwriter

Singles As featured artist Title Year Publisher Format DetailsAddicted To Your Love 2026 LANDR Digital download Alias: TRAYLEN Released: 31 July 2026 Singer-songwriter & music video director

Awards +YearAwardResultRef.2016Sir Alec Guinness Memorial Award