Martha Howe-Douglas

Martha Howe-Douglas (born ) is an English actress and writer. She is known as a member of the Them There collective with which she wrote and starred in productions including Horrible Histories, Yonderland, and Ghosts. She also played receptionist Donna Parmar in the BBC One daytime soap Doctors.

Early life Howe-Douglas was born and raised in Moseley, a suburb of south Birmingham, England, in . She attended Edgbaston High School. She graduated from RADA in 2003.

Career After graduating from RADA, Howe-Douglas appeared in the Christmas special of The Office, as a receptionist at Wernham-Hogg. From 24 April 2006 until 11 May 2007, Howe-Douglas played receptionist Donna Parmar in the BBC daytime soap opera Doctors. For her role as Donna, Howe-Douglas received nominations for Best Comedy Performance and Best Newcomer at the 2007 British Soap Awards.

In 2009, she landed one of the main multi-role parts on a new children's TV history sketch show programme, CBBC's Horrible Histories, where over five years and five series, she played numerous characters including the queens Cleopatra, Elizabeth I, Boudicea and Victoria. In 2011, she appeared in The Proms, in a special live "Horrible Histories Big Prom Party" performance. In 2013, she co-created, co-wrote and co-starred in Sky1's series Yonderland, in which she played lead character Debbie Maddox in all three series.

Howe-Douglas' other acting roles have included appearing in The Armstrong & Miller Show on BBC One and playing Flora Dies-Early in the radio comedy show Bleak Expectations, as well as Lady Anne Woodstock in the radio show The Castle. In 2018, she appeared in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Annie Pritchard. From 15 April 2019, Howe-Douglas co-wrote, produced and starred in the BBC sitcom Ghosts, which sees her reunited with the Horrible Histories cast.

Personal life Howe-Douglas is married to a photographer who worked on Ghosts.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1997 Armstrong and Miller Various 1 episode 2003 The Office Mel the receptionist The Office Christmas specials 2005 All About George Helen Doctors Ms Larson 2 episodes 2006–2007 Donna Parmar Regular role 2007 Freezing Leon's P.A. 2009 The Armstrong and Miller Show Various Nativity! Oakmoor Parent 2009–2013 Horrible Histories Various 46 episodes 2011 The Proms Prom 20: Horrible Histories Big Prom Party 2012 Shakespeare's Wart Pavlina Short 2013–2014 WPC 56 Abigail Fenton 5 episodes 2013–2015 Crackanory Various 4 episodes 2013–2016 Yonderland Debbie Maddox 25 episodes; also creator 2014 Psychobitches Pocahontas 1 episode 2015 Bill Various Doctor Foster Becky 6 episodes 2016–2017 Noddy, Toyland Detective Pat Pat (voice) Recurring role 2017 Tracey Breaks the News Various 1 episode 2018 EastEnders Annie Pritchard 3 episodes 2019–2023 Ghosts Lady Fanny Button/Plague Ghost Main role; also creator and writer 2020 Breeders Amber 1 episode 2021 Motherland Ashley 1 episode 2022 Friday Night Live Rebekah Vardy 1 episode

Awards and nominations Year Ceremony Category Nominated work Result 2006 RTS Midlands Awards Best New Talent Doctors 2007 British Soap Awards Best Comedy Performance Best Newcomer