Karla-Simone Spence

Karla-Simone Spence (born 19 July 1996) is a British actress and voiceover artist. She is best known for her roles in the film Blue Story and the ITVX period drama The Confessions of Frannie Langton (2022). She also appeared in the BBC series Gold Digger (2019) and Wannabe (2018).

Early life Spence found her love for acting when she was 11 years old after she starred as Joseph in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in her primary school's production. Spence attended Haberdashers' Hatcham College in New Cross. She is the older sister of Premier League footballer Djed Spence.

Career Spence made her television debut in 2018 when she played Amber in the BBC Three short-form sitcom Wannabe. The following year, she starred as Cali Okello in the BBC One miniseries Gold Digger and in that same year she portrayed the leading lady, Leah in the film Blue Story. The film received critical acclaim and earned her nominations at the National Film Awards.

In August 2021, it was announced that Spence would star as the title role of Frannie Langton in the period drama The Confessions of Frannie Langton, an ITV adaptation of the novel of the same name by Sara Collins. The limited series premiered on ITVX in December 2022 and in March 2023 on BritBox and she has received critical acclaim for her performance.

In April 2022, Spence made her professional stage debut in House of Ife at Bush Theatre.

In October 2023 it was announced she was cast in The Count of Monte Cristo alongside Sam Claflin as Haydée.

Filmography +Key Denotes projects that have not yet been released

Film Year Title Role Notes 2018 Nine Nights Anna 2019 Blue Story Leah

Television Year Title Role Notes 2018 Wannabe Amber 4 episodes 2019 Gold Digger Cali Okello Miniseries; 6 episodes 2022 The Confessions of Frannie Langton Frannie LangtonTitle role, 4 episodes 2024 The Count of Monte CristoHaydée3 episodes

Stage Year Title Role Notes 2022 House of Ife Aida Bush Theatre, London

Short film Year Title Role Notes 2016 Ghosts in Time Eve Short film 2018 Sex Ed Student Short film

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref 2020 National Film Awards UK Best Actress Blue Story Best Newcomer Best Supporting Actress 2024 GLAAD Media Award Outstanding limited or Anthropology series The Confessions Of Frannie Langton