Rachel Shenton

​You’ve stayed very connected to where you’re from — how important has that been in shaping who you are today?

Yes, it certainly has. I was born in Caverswall, Stoke-on-Trent, where I started working with my now-dear friend and acting coach, Amanda Andrews. I still love the area and get back as often as I can. I miss the community feel that Stoke has, it’s really like no other. I get back often, as my mum and friends still live there. I’m also heavily involved with two local charities, so I’m there a lot working with them. And of course I miss the oatcakes!

“I miss the community feel that Stoke has — it’s really like no other.”

Was acting always the plan for you, or did it develop over time?

Yes absolutely. I don’t remember ever wanting to do anything else. My one piece of advice would be to keep going, don’t give up, and, as hard as it may feel at times, believe in yourself.

Moving from Hollyoaks to working internationally is a big shift — how did that transition happen for you?

I’m not sure it was a conscious decision, so I can’t really say whether it was difficult. I got the role on Switched at Birth and moved for the job, which was a lovely order to do it in, and I’m so grateful it worked out like that.

“The show is very pioneering, and has really smashed boundaries.”

Switched at Birth broke new ground in its representation — what did being part of that feel like for you?

The show is very pioneering and has really smashed boundaries — which I believe is why it’s so successful. It’s won numerous awards, including a Peabody Award and ones for outstanding achievement. So I’m very proud to be part of the cast.

Your work has gone beyond acting into advocacy — where does that commitment come from?

I love to get asked about the work I do for the NDCS and Deaflinks — they both do such incredible work, so it’s nice when people are interested in that.

“To make it in the business you need talent, luck and a thick skin — an equal measure of all three.”

As your career has grown, what does it really take to keep going in such a competitive industry?

Yes, there certainly is a lot of competition. I read a quote once that said “To make it in the business you need talent, luck and a thick skin, but unfortunately you need an equal measure of all three” — I’d say that’s fairly accurate.

Do the characters you play ever reflect parts of who you are personally?

Well, my job is to bring as much truth to each role as I can — so I guess they all have elements of my personality, as I try and make them real. It’s just not necessarily my situation.

“They are improving so many lives, but it breaks my heart that they have to.”

You’re also involved in work that supports young people — what impact has that had on you?

When people don’t believe in themselves and realise their true potential, I’ve been working with a charity in Stoke-on-Trent called ‘Ruby Girl’. It helps young people who are suffering from low self-esteem and self-worth — it’s an incredible charity. They are improving so many lives, but it breaks my heart that they have to.

Rachel Shenton is an actor and Academy Award-winning writer, recognised for her work on The Silent Child, as well as roles in Hollyoaks, Switched at Birth, and a growing range of film and television projects.

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Interview by Carl Marsh