Lorraine Marie Perez (born 28 June 1976) is a British actress from Portsmouth, England, known for playing Kelly in the 2006 film London to Brighton and Karen Taylor in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2017–2024, 2026).
Early life Lorraine Marie Stanley was born on 28 June 1976 in Portsmouth, the daughter of June (née Almy), and David Stanley. She was brought up in Portsmouth by her parents, who divorced when she was ten years old. She has Scottish, English and Polish ancestry from her father and mother respectively. She then trained at London's Arts Educational Schools.
Career Stanley made her acting debut in 2000, when she appeared in the crime drama film Gangster No. 1 in a minor role as the attacker's friend. She also appeared in episodes of The Bill and London's Burning.
In 2006, Stanley took the lead role in the neo-noir crime film London to Brighton. She portrayed Kelly, a prostitute who is coerced into procuring an 11-year-old girl for a paedophile.
In 2014, Stanley was cast to play the role of Simone in Spencer Hawken's 2016 film No Reasons.
EastEnders
In 2004, Stanley appeared as a young Mo Harris in the EastEnders spin off Pat and Mo which aired in April 2004 and revealed what caused the feud between Mo and sister-in-law Pat Butcher, who was played by Emma Cooke.
In 2016, Stanley appeared in EastEnders as Thelma Bragg, the mother of Linzi Bragg who enters an illegal relationship with Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick). She appeared in eight episodes.
A year later, Stanley returned to EastEnders, this time on a permanent basis portraying Karen Taylor, the head of the newly introduced Taylor family, who arrived in June 2017. In July 2023, it was announced that Stanley had been "written out" of the show after six years, and Stanley's final scenes aired on 8 December 2023. She returned to the series for two guest stints in 2024.
Personal life Stanley and her partner Mark Perez have been together since 2014, and have a daughter born in 2015. The couple married in August 2025.
Filmography +FilmYearTitleRoleNotes2000Gangster No. 1Attacker's Friend2001RoyaltyKellyShort film2006London to BrightonKellyLead roleNominated—2006 London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actress of the Year2008Eden LakeNatCassLinda2009Three Moments in HeavenWomanShort filmIn PassingMaureenShort film2010Rough CutPrison councillorShort filmDead CertChelleMade in DagenhamMonica2011Big Fat Gypsy GangsterFlossyStraight-to-DVD film2012The Devil's DoshGertrudeShort film2013The GiftCyclistShort film2014He Who DaresMarieTop DogJulieThe Hooligan FactorySharonThe GuvnorsCherylThe Hooligan WarsCookieEssex Boys RetributionRegina2015RiotDrake's motherSuffragetteMrs. ColemanLegendBlind Beggar Barmaid2016Wee King of NowhereMumShort film100 StreetsTinaThe ReceptionistHelenNo ReasonsSimone2018Trigger Finger!TanyaShort film2019Break ClauseChristy2025DeparturesJanet
+TelevisionYearTitleRoleNotes2001The Life and Adventures of Nicholas NicklebyMaidTelevision filmThe BillMichelle PiperEpisode: "Happy and Glorious"Anybody's NightmarePrison Officer 2, HollowayTelevision film2002London's BurningFranSeason 14, Episode 82003RehabSonyaTelevision film2004EastEnders: Pat and MoYoung Mo HarrisTV special EastEnders spin-offMaking WavesWessex SailorSeason 1, Episode 12007CasualtyLinda GroganEpisode: "No Return"A Class ApartMandyTelevision filmThe Life and Times of Vivienne VyleUnnamedSeason 1, Episode 4The Inspector Lynley MysteriesMaggieEpisode: "Know Thine Enemy"2008Trial & RetributionSarah Randal2 episodesHe Kills CoppersStan's wifeTelevision filmWaking the DeadSusan Carlyle2 episodesThe BillKim YatesEpisode: "Lifesaver"2010CasualtyIzzy McQueenEpisode: "Last Roll of the Dice"Law & Order: UKJulie ReidEpisode: "Broken"2011Coming UpMaryEpisode: "Home"2012Call the MidwifePearl WinstonSeason 1, Episode 1CasualtyJanel AbelEpisode: "The Blame Game"2013Way to GoBetty with DogEpisode: "The Bitter End"MaydayAngieTV mini-series; 3 episodesThe TunnelDean Atkinson's motherSeason 1, Episode 62014DoctorsLiz McWhinnie3 episodesChasing ShadowsKay AmosTV mini-series; 2 episodesBabylonSandySeason 1, Episode 32015Holby CityCasey WilliamsEpisode: "Infallible"Cradle to GraveJeanSeason 1, Episode 62016EastEndersThelma Bragg8 episodes2017–2024, 2026EastEndersKaren TaylorSeries regular2018 British Soap Award for Best Newcomer2019 Inside Soap Award for Funniest Female2020 Inside Soap Award for Funniest PerformanceShortlisted—2018 Inside Soap Award for Funniest FemaleShortlisted—2019 British Soap Award for Best ActressShortlisted—2019 TV Choice Award for Best Soap ActressLonglisted—2019 Inside Soap Award for Best Actress 2020 EastEnders: Secrets from the Square Herself Episodes: "Tiffany, Keegan and Karen" and "Karen, Chantelle and Gray"
Theatre YearTitleRoleNotes1999Widowers' HousesNational Theatre, UK tour2004To Kill A MockingbirdScoutMercury Theatre, Colchester2008Days of SignificanceTricycle TheatreThe FrontlineValShakespeare's GlobeMineShared Experience2014WildefireGail WildeHampstead Theatre2024Dick Whittington – Pompey PantoPortsmouth Kings Theatre
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