Traitors Star Maddy Smedley Shares Candid Feelings on Lonely Pregnancy
Maddy Smedley, the actress who rose to fame as a contestant on the inaugural series of BBC's hit game show The Traitors, has opened up about experiencing profound loneliness during her pregnancy. Now a devoted mother to two-year-old Shelby with partner Tom Greenwood, the 33-year-old reflected on what she described as a challenging period in her life.
Balancing Acting Career with Personal Struggles
At the time of her pregnancy, Smedley had secured the role of Faye Fuller on Channel 4's long-running soap opera Hollyoaks. This professional opportunity required her to spend extensive periods away from home, staying in hotels while filming. In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, she revealed that despite having her daughter with her, the experience left her feeling isolated.
"I think because I was pregnant, it was a difficult time in terms of like... when you're staying in hotels and stuff," Smedley explained. "Even though I had Shelby with me I felt really lonely but that was just because you're going through a lot." She emphasized that she still enjoyed her time on the soap, noting she would never decline such roles, but the personal toll was significant.
Navigating Motherhood and a Thriving Acting Career
Since her breakout on The Traitors, Smedley has built a diverse acting portfolio, including appearances in EastEnders, Call the Midwife, and a regular role in ITV2's Piglets opposite Mark Heap and Sarah Parish. Currently, she is starring in the title role of Willy Russell's classic play Educating Rita at Reading Rep Theatre.
The play, which premiered in 1980 and was famously adapted into a 1983 film starring Dame Julie Walters, follows a working-class hairdresser seeking education to escape her mundane life. Smedley acknowledged the pressure of taking on such an iconic part, previously played by actresses like Sarah Lancashire and Claire Sweeney, but she finds inspiration in her own background.
Personal Connections and Family Support
Smedley drew parallels between her mother's experiences and the character of Rita, revealing that her mum attended Open University while raising four children. "My mum's always instilled a sense of drive and ambition within us," she said. "Yeah, I've just tried to give it that sort of take and I think because I'm from a working class background, I think that's quite important as well."
She also shared a heartwarming anecdote about her mother secretly attending her performances, including on the first night of Educating Rita. "I get more nervous if I know she's in there but then I started the first scene and I spotted her straight away. But it was lovely. I love her with all my heart," Smedley expressed.
Juggling Parenthood with Professional Demands
The actress highlighted the ongoing challenges of balancing motherhood with her acting career. She is selective about roles to ensure she can be present for her daughter, opting for shorter commitments like theatre runs over year-long projects. "It's a hard juggle because it's like two jobs and my main one is obviously my daughter," she admitted.
In a lighter moment, Smedley recounted practicing her Liverpudlian accent for Educating Rita while reading bedtime stories to Shelby, who was less than impressed. "She always goes, 'Mummy, do it properly'. So she doesn't like me doing the Liverpudlian," she laughed, noting her excitement to return to normal family life after the show's run.
Through her candid revelations, Maddy Smedley offers a glimpse into the realities faced by working mothers in the entertainment industry, blending personal vulnerability with professional resilience as she continues to build her acting legacy.
