Karene Peter

Karene Estelle Peter (born 18 January 1991) is an English actress. Whilst working in retail, a friend convinced her to join her acting class and she eventually began making appearances in British television series including Holby City and Doctors. She then portrayed the role of Serena in the CBBC series The Sparticle Mystery. After a recurring role in the BBC period drama Call the Midwife, she was cast as Naomi Walters in the ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale, a role she stayed in from 2022 to 2023.

Life and career Karene Estelle Peter was born on 18 January 1991 in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Whilst on a gap year from university, she worked in Sports Direct. Whilst there, a friend told her to join her acting class, and after she trained at the Identity School of Acting, she started booking television, advertisement and stage roles. Peter's television debut was in an episode of the BBC medical drama Holby City in 2013, shortly followed by a role in fellow BBC medical soap opera Doctors that same year. Also in 2013, Peter was cast in the role of Serena on the CBBC science fiction series The Sparticle Mystery. She starred in the second and third series.

In 2016, Peter made her film debut in the comedy film Mindhorn. A year later, she appeared in an episode of the ITV1 crime drama series Unforgotten. A year later, she was cast in the ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale as Naomi Walters. Peter said it was surreal to be joining Emmerdale, having watched the soap as a child. She made her first appearance on 14 June 2022. In April 2023, it was announced that Peter had quit her role as Naomi. A spokesperson said that Peter had enjoyed her time on Emmerdale, but due to wanting to play different roles, she had made the decision to leave. Peter's character made her final appearance on 6 July 2023, with the soap writing her out in a way that could accommodate Peter's return in the future, if she wanted.

Following her Emmerdale exit, Peter appeared in the 2023 film Rye Lane. In 2026, she joined the stage production of Jaja's African Hair Braiding at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith. The play is set in a Harlem hair braiding salon and follows a group of West African immigrant braiders and their customers.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2013 Holby City Lyndsey Campbell Episode: "Promises, Promises" 2013 Doctors Amy Chander Episode: "Where the Buck Stops" 2013–2015 The Sparticle Mystery Serena Main role 2016 Mindhorn Jane the Runner Film 2017 Unforgotten WPC Grant Guest role 2021 Call the Midwife Georgette Baines Recurring role 2022–2023 Emmerdale Naomi Walters Regular role 2023 Rye Lane Gia Film

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