Lorna Fitzgerald
Lorna Fitzgerald is a charismatic, fun, bright and energetic little actress, best known as Abi Branning in Eastenders. A role she has played since 2006.
Lorna was first introduced to the wonderful world of entertainment at the tender age of four. Her Mother took her to the theatre and from that moment Lorna decided she wanted to perform, to be an actress. She was enrolled in a Saturday morning class for Dance and Drama. The rest, they say, is history!
Lorna is one of those special little actresses with presence way beyond her tender years. Her enthusiasm is boundless and her talent is exciting. She plays guitar, loves dancing and is always choreographing her own routines, not to mention her stupendous skill for drama improvising. She has created and performed numerous incredible and engaging characters. Her scripts are intelligent, witty and insightful.
Her first appearance on film was in the role of Katie in Big Girl Little Girl this short film went on to win many awards including Best Short Film at the Miami Film Festival and official selection at the New York Film Festival.
Lorna first appeared on the small screen in 2002 in The Rainbow. This was a series of short films dedicated to the memory of Stephen Lawrence. Stephen's death spurred a drive to celebrate racial diversity. The films were predominately shot in black and white and in one of these Lorna played a school girl happily playing with children from a variety of different backgrounds helping to encourage us all to live peacefully together.
Her television appearances went from strength to strength including amongst many, the Nescafe commercials. She featured as part of a coffee-loving family along with Johnny Vaughn. He appeared in different locations all over the house, kitchen, bedroom and even the shower!
In Casualty she played the part of Polly Farrell, a little girl suffering severe stomach pains, terrified at the possibility that she may die. From the drama of a possible near death, Lorna then found herself in a BBC comedy starring Jessica Stevenson as Bex Atwell in According to Bex. Lorna played young Bex, in various flashback scenes throughout the series. She then appeared in Cherished starring with Timothy Spall and Sarah Lancashire. This was Lorna's first big role in the story of Mrs. Angela Canning, wrongfully accused of killing her babies. She played the part of Jade Cannings, the surviving daughter of Angela and Terry Cannings.
Her success continued into 2005. She made an appearance as Jasmine, involved in an accident where her older brother is seriously injured after saving her from an oncoming vehicle in The Golden Hour a series of three ITV Dramas based on a rapid response medical team. She also appeared in a CBBC Drama trailer for the CBBC series Tracey Beaker and a Heart FM Commercial with Jamie Theakston.
Alongside all her Film and Television appearances Lorna has continued to perform professionally on stage including being a lead dancer in Aida a lavish Opera depicting ancient Egypt. She also appeared as a young gang member in The Divide a play based on Romeo and Juliet and The Forbidden Planet, in which she played The Chief Alien!
Lorna continues to thrive and thoroughly enjoy the daily challenges of being a working actress. She very much looks forward to whatever the future may hold for her!