Sophie Rundle, born on 21 April 1988, is an English actress who has garnered widespread acclaim for her compelling portrayals of strong, complex women in period dramas and crime series. She is best known for her long-running role as Ada Thorne in the acclaimed BBC drama Peaky Blinders, where she appeared from 2013 to 2022, and as Ann Walker in the historical drama Gentleman Jack. Rundle’s ability to bring depth and resilience to her characters has made her a standout figure in British television.
Rundle was raised in Southampton, England, where she developed a passion for acting at a young age. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Acting. Her early career saw her take on a variety of roles in television, including a guest appearance in the sitcom Episodes, where she played the memorable character Labia, and a leading role as Lucy in the mystery drama The Bletchley Circle. These early projects showcased her versatility and set the stage for her breakthrough performance.
Rundle’s career-defining role came in 2013 when she was cast as Ada Thorne in Peaky Blinders, the gritty period crime drama created by Steven Knight. As the fiercely independent sister of the Shelby family, Rundle portrayed Ada’s evolution from a rebellious young woman to a formidable business figure over the series’ six seasons. Her performance earned her critical praise and a dedicated fanbase. Rundle is set to reprise the role in the upcoming film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, scheduled for release in 2026, continuing the story of the Shelby family.
Following her success on Peaky Blinders, Rundle took on another significant historical role as Ann Walker, the wife of landowner and industrialist Anne Lister, in the BBC series Gentleman Jack. She starred opposite Suranne Jones as the gentle yet determined Ann, whose relationship with Lister was both romantic and fraught with societal pressures. The series, which aired from 2019 to 2022, was praised for its nuanced portrayal of a same-sex marriage in 19th-century England, and Rundle’s performance was widely lauded for its sensitivity and depth.
Rundle has also demonstrated her range in other television projects. She starred as Alice in the historical drama Jamestown from 2017 to 2019, a series about the early English settlers in America. More recently, she took on the role of DC Joanna Marshall in the crime drama After the Flood, which began airing in 2024. In addition to her television work, Rundle has appeared in stage productions and has lent her voice to audio dramas, further showcasing her versatility as a performer. With a career that continues to flourish, Sophie Rundle remains a respected and admired figure in the entertainment industry, known for her thoughtful portrayals of strong, resilient women.