Meet Bridgerton’s Bessie Carter, who’s dating her co-star Sam Phillips: the daughter of The Crown’s Imelda Staunton and Downton Abbey’s Jim Carter, she worried about the ‘nepo baby’ label – at first

Jun 15 , 2024

The daughter of A-listers, Bridgerton’s Bessie Carter has also found a soulmate in co-star Sam Phillips. Photos: @missbessb/Instagram, Getty Images

Penelope and Colin are not the only “It” couple in the land of Bridgerton. There is reportedly a brand new IRL romance brewing between Bessie Carter and Sam Phillips, who play Prudence Featherington and Lord Debling, respectively, in the show.

Bridgerton has given actress Bessie Carter (centre) a social media boost. Photo: @missbessb/Instagram

The actress is also drawing attention for her increasingly iconic Bridgerton character, which caused her Instagram follower count to recently skyrocket. Season three shows a softer side of her character as she attempts to walk in her mother’s footsteps.

Here’s what we know about the actress who is currently turning heads.

Who are Bessie Carter’s parents?

Jim Carter, Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter at The Olivier Awards in London, in 2018. Photo: Getty Images

The 30-year-old Carter’s parents aren’t just famous – they’re legendary English A-listers Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton. You might best remember Staunton from her role as Dolores Umbridge in two Harry Potter films or – more recently – as Queen Elizabeth in seasons five and six of The Crown. Carter, on the other hand, is best known for his role as Mr Carson in Downton Abbey. The three are often spotted together at various events. Carter is an only child.

Bessie Carter worried about being labelled a “nepo baby”

When she was a child, Bessie Carter didn’t realise she had famous parents. Photo: @missbessb/Instagram

Per E!, Carter revealed in an interview that she only realised that her parents were practically acting royalty when her mother was nominated for an Oscar for Vera Drake. She always knew she would get into acting, but worried about her status as a “nepo baby” at first. Rather than thinking she was born into a famous family, she considers herself born into “a love story about acting”, she said in an interview with American editor Kevin Sessums. Now, she is confident enough in her abilities to know that she is an actor in her own right, she added in her interview.

Did Bessie Carter star in Downton Abbey?

Bessie Carter (second from left) with her on-screen family in Bridgerton. Photo: @missbessb/Instagram

No, she didn’t – that’s just a popular misconception. While both her parents had roles in Downton Abbey, the actress herself has not appeared on the show. However, the family did appear together in the BBC series Cranford.

She has struggled with alcoholism

Bessie Carter gave up alcohol and smoking after reading the right books. Photo: @missbessb/Instagram

In an interview with Jomo Club, Carter shared her struggles with a serious alcohol problem during her youth. However, she eventually made the “life-changing” decision to give up drinking.

She blames her former addiction on the manipulative marketing tactics of the alcohol industry that, according to the actress, capitalise on people’s pains and vulnerabilities. Once she saw right through the “moneymaking machine” by reading the right books, it was easy for her to give up drinking altogether, she added.

The Howards End actress also gave up smoking and started EMDR therapy. Eventually, she was able to rediscover her true and authentic self – and has never been happier.

Is Bessie Carter really dating her Bridgerton co-star, Sam Phillips?

Sam Phillips, Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter at the world premiere of Wonka at The Royal Festival Hall in November 2023, in London, England. Photo: Getty Images

According to reports, Carter and Sam Phillips are dating – and going strong. In fact, it is even rumoured that they moved in together last year.

The two reportedly met on the set of Bridgerton in 2022 and quickly hit it off. Carter is believed to have moved into his flat in Brighton soon after.

Carter and Phillips were first spotted together publicly in May 2023 at the Theatrical Consequences: the Fifth Annual Platform Presents West End Gala after-party. The couple seems to have Carter’s parents’ blessing as well, as he has joined the family at several public events, such as the red-carpet premiere of Wonka.

Bessie Carter also voices audiobooks

Bessie Carter has narrated a number of audiobooks. Photo: @missbessb/Instagram

Carter is certainly a powerhouse of talent: in addition to theatre, films and television, she is involved in the audiobook industry too. Some audiobooks she has narrated include The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella, Reputation by Lex Croucher (highly recommended if you love Bridgerton), Godmersham Park by Gill Hornby, and The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford.

Celebrity children

What if Prudence Featherington ended up with Lord Debling? Well, that’s what’s happening IRL – Phillips was even spotted on the Wonka premiere red carpet with Carter and her Harry Potter actress mum
She made the ‘life-changing decision’ to give up drinking after reading the ‘right books’, and blames her former addiction on the alcohol industry’s manipulative tactics