Poppy Drayton

Poppy Gabriella Drayton (born 7 June 1991 ) is a British actress. She is known for playing Elizabeth Thatcher in the feature-length Hallmark Channel television pilot of When Calls the Heart, for playing Amberle Elessedil in the MTV fantasy drama series The Shannara Chronicles, and for playing Abigael Jameson-Caine in the second and third seasons of The CW fantasy drama television series Charmed. She portrayed Myroslava in the 2019 film The Rising Hawk with Robert Patrick and Tommy Flanagan.

Life and career Drayton graduated from the Arts Educational School in Chiswick.

In 2013, Drayton was cast in her first major role in the Hallmark Channel television movie pilot for When Calls the Heart, in which she played Elizabeth Thatcher (a role that was taken over by Erin Krakow in the subsequent television series). This was followed by a role in the 2013 Downton Abbey Christmas special.

In 2014, Drayton was cast as Amberle Elessedil, one of the lead roles in the MTV fantasy drama series The Shannara Chronicles; the series premiered on 5 January 2016. In February 2016, Drayton was cast in the titular role in newly launched MVP Studios' film The Little Mermaid (originally titled A Little Mermaid), an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story.

In August 2025, Drayton married independent film director Rory D. Bentley in a small ceremony.

In August 2026, Drayton appears in several episodes of Professor T (British TV series), Series 5.

Filmography + Film roles Year Title Role Notes 2014 Down Dog Amy 2015 Unhallowed Ground Verity Wickes Writers Retreat Jo 2018 The Little Mermaid Elizabeth 2019 See You Soon Elise The Rising Hawk Myroslava 2025 Jingle Bell Heist Brianna

+ Television roles Year Title Role Notes 2013 When Calls the Heart Elizabeth Thatcher Television movie (Hallmark) Downton Abbey Madeleine Allsopp Episode: "The London Season" 2014 Father Brown Selina McKinley Episode: "The Ghost in the Machine" Midsomer Murders Summer Haleston Episode: "The Killings of Copenhagen" Plebs Cordelia Episode: "The Phallus" 2016–2017 The Shannara Chronicles Amberle Elessedil Main role (season 1); guest role (season 2) 2018 Home by Spring Loretta Johnson Television movie (Hallmark) 2019–2022 Charmed Abigael Main role (seasons 2–3)

+ Video game roles Year Title Role Notes 2017 Dark Souls III Shira, Knight of Filianore