Emma Catherine Rigby[1] was born on September 26, 1989 in St Helens, Merseyside in England.[1] Her parents are Carole and Steven Rigby, and she has one sister named Charlotte.[1] While attending the Catholic affiliated De La Salle School, she landed her first television roles. Debuting on the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, she continued acting in the same genre on Hollyoaks as troubled teenager Hannah Ashworth.[2] The latter brought her numerous accolades, including Best Actress at the British Soap Awards 2008, but two years later, Emma decided to move onto more diverse ventures. She went on to land a lead role in 2011 British horror flick Demons Never Die, produced by The Wire's Idris Elba, as well as parts in Channel 4 comedy Fresh Meat and the 2012 BBC Three seriesPramface. She starred opposite Jonas Armstrong in the 2012 drama series Prisoners' Wives as expectant mother Gemma whose husband is arrested for murder.[2] Her other works in film include the The Physician with Ben Kingsley, based on the novel of the same name, and the 2014 crime-comedy Plastic.
Trivia
Starting taking dance lessons at age four and acting lessons at age nine.[1]
Appeared in The Union's 2013 music video for their song Tonight I'm Alive.[1]
Emma's cast mates of Hollyoaks jokingly dubbed her "Dame Rigby" for her serious personality.[2]