Tanya Reynolds

Tanya Louise Reynolds (born 4 November 1991) is an English actress. On television, she is known for her roles in the Sky One series Delicious (2016–2019), the Netflix series Sex Education (2019–2023) and The Decameron, the Channel 4 series I Hate You (2022), and the Apple TV series Ted Lasso (2026–present). Her films include Emma (2020). For her performance in the play A Mirror (2023) at Trafalgar Theatre, she received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination.

Early life Reynolds was born in 1991, in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Her father was a builder and her mother was a sign writer. She is of half English and half Italian descent. Her first experience in acting was at the age of four in the school nativity. after winning a fully funded scholarship which enabled her to afford the drama school fees. Reynolds graduated in 2015. also by In Cahoots, and Introducing Lucy. In 2016, Reynolds landed her first TV appearance playing Teresa Benelli for 12 episodes of Delicious.

2017 saw Reynolds furthering her TV career, with parts in Outlander, playing Lady Isobel Dunsany, among a cast that included Charles Dance and Maxine Peake. She also played a leading role as Teresa in the Sky One comedy Delicious, alongside a cast which included Iain Glen and Dawn French.

In 2019, she starred as Lily Iglehart in the Netflix comedy-drama Sex Education. However, she did not return to the series for its fourth and final season.

In 2020, Reynolds played Mrs. Elton in a film adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma, alongside Anya Taylor-Joy and Bill Nighy. The same year, she was named as one of Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow 2020, which showcases talent within the television and film industry of Great Britain and Ireland. In 2021, Reynolds played Queen Victoria in the NBCUniversal series Dodger, alongside Christopher Eccleston as Fagin and David Threlfall as Chief of Police.

In 2023, she played lead role as Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith at the Orange Tree Theatre (see image)

In 2024, Reynolds reprised the role of Mei in the West End transfer of A Mirror at the Trafalgar Theatre. For her performance, she was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Later the same year, she appeared as Porcupine in the film Harold and the Purple Crayon.

On 28 January 2026, Reynolds was revealed to have a role in the fourth season of Ted Lasso as Alice Chilton, a new assistant coach for a women's football team. The season premiered on 5 August 2026.

She played Caroline Bingley in the BBC series The Other Bennet Sister.

Filmography

Films Year Title Role Notes/ 2015 The Jealous Boyfriend Katie Short film

Television Year Title Role Notes 2016–2019 Delicious Teresa Benelli Main (12 episodes) 2017 Rellik Sally 3 episodes Outlander Lady Isobel Dunsany Episode: "Of Lost Things" Death in Paradise Pearl Marston Episode: Murder from Above 2018 The Bisexual Jill Episode: "1.5" 2026 The Other Bennet Sister Caroline Bingley 10-part series launched March 2026

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.2020 Screen International Stars of Tomorrow 2020 2023 Kino London Short Film Festival Best Performance in a Comedy Everybody Dies... Sometimes 2024 Laurence Olivier Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role A Mirror - Trafalgar Theatre