As festive favourite The Holiday enjoys its annual resurgence on television screens, a former child star from the beloved film has spoken out about the unsettling side of fame. Miffy Englefield, who played Jude Law's daughter Sophie in the 2006 romantic comedy, is now a 26-year-old mother but continues to receive what she describes as "gross" direct messages from older men.
From On-Screen Daughter to Real-Life Mother
Miffy Englefield was just six years old when she landed the role of Sophie opposite Hollywood heavyweights Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black. Fast forward 19 years, and her life has changed dramatically. The actress, who lives in Littlehampton, West Sussex, welcomed her own daughter, Frankie, into the world on April 23, 2020.
Despite this significant life milestone, Englefield has revealed that some fans still fixate on her childhood appearance. In a recent TikTok video on her @miffz_ account, she addressed the uncomfortable attention. "When gross old men say things like 'I'm so glad you are still as cute as you were in The Holiday' to me," she shared. The young mother expressed her discomfort, stating: "Relating how I looked as a child to how I look as a grown a** woman makes me all kinds of creeped out."
Cherished Memories Amidst Unwanted Attention
Despite the negative experiences with certain fans, Englefield holds fond memories of her time on the set of the Nancy Meyers-directed film. She has publicly praised her on-screen father, Jude Law, for his kindness and mentorship. "Jude had so much time for us," she recalled in a past interview. "He was always giving me tips about acting. We would sit and do tongue twisters with him between takes."
She extended her warm recollections to the entire cast, describing them all as "amazing" and "lovely." Of Jack Black, she said he was "hilarious," while she called Kate Winslet "ethereal" and Cameron Diaz "beautiful." Although she is no longer in contact with the cast due to busy lives, she noted that director Nancy Meyers used to email her yearly for a "good few years," describing her as "the loveliest and so smart."
Looking to the Future Beyond The Holiday
When asked about a potential return to acting, Miffy Englefield was enthusiastic. "I 100% would," she declared, adding, "I'd love to read for a part again, I'd love to audition again." However, she acknowledged that her current appearance, which includes tattoos and body modifications, might not align with traditional casting calls. She issued a playful invitation: "If there was a casting director who wanted someone like me to read for a part, hit me up. I'd love to."
Beyond her iconic role in The Holiday, Englefield's acting credits include an episode of The Whistleblowers in 2007 and a recurring role as Amelia Anderson in 12 episodes of BBC's Casualty between 2008 and 2012. Her story highlights the complex legacy of child stardom, where cherished cinematic memories for the public can sometimes translate into inappropriate and lasting attention for the actor.
