Paula Lane

Paula Lane (born 17 April 1986) is an English actress. She is best known for portraying the roles of Kylie Platt in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street (2010–2016), and Ella Forster in another ITV soap opera, Emmerdale (2024–2025).

Early life Lane is originally from Hebden Bridge near Halifax. Lane attended Halifax Catholic High School and then Huddersfield Technical College. At the age of 19 she was accepted to train at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama in London, graduating in 2008 with a 1st class honours degree in acting. On finishing drama school, Lane was cast immediately in the ITV 1960s-based drama Heartbeat where she made her television debut playing a teacher, Wendy Kelshaw, in the episode "School Of Hard Knocks".

Career Lane's other appearances include Sky's TV adaptation of Going Postal by Terry Pratchett, The Royal, Doctors and BBC's Call the Midwife. Lane was also featured in the short film War Wounds alongside Stephen Mangan. In 2024 Lane joined Emmerdale, playing character Ella Forster.

Coronation Street Lane joined Coronation Street in 2010, portraying Kylie Platt, half-sister of established character Becky McDonald (Katherine Kelly).

She departed her role as Kylie Platt in 2014, when she left for maternity leave. Lane returned in June 2015. On 9 February 2016, it was confirmed that Lane was to leave for maternity leave for her second pregnancy but this time she would not be returning and she would leave the soap permanently. Her character was killed off in episodes aired on 15 July 2016. The last episode in which she appeared aired on 20 July 2016.

Theatre Lane has also acted in several stage productions. She has played the role of Rachel in Be More Martyn at Hope Mill Theater in Manchester, Lily in The Bengal Lily at Manchester Royal Exchange, Lauren in the UK tour of Kinky Boots. and most recently appeared in Road at Oldham Coliseum.

Personal life Lane married her long-term partner Tom Shaw in May 2014 at Leeds Cathedral. They have two sons and a daughter. Tom has also appeared in Coronation Street in 2017 and 2018 as Kim Vaughan on a recurring basis.

Filmography

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 2011 16th National Television Awards Best Newcomer Coronation Street 2011 All About Soap Bubble Awards Best Newcomer Coronation Street 2011 The British Soap Awards Villain of the Year Coronation Street 2011 The British Soap Awards Best Newcomer Coronation Street 2011 TV Choice Awards Best Soap Newcomer Coronation Street 2011 Inside Soap Awards Best Newcomer Coronation Street 2012 Inside Soap Awards Best Bitch Coronation Street 2013 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress Coronation Street 2014 19th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Coronation Street 2014 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress Coronation Street 2015 20th National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Coronation Street 2016 21st National Television Awards Serial Drama Performance Coronation Street 2016 2016 British Soap Awards Best Actress Coronation Street 2016 TV Choice Awards Best Soap Actress Coronation Street 2016 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress Coronation Street 2024 Inside Soap Awards Best Newcomer Emmerdale