{{Short description|English actress (born 1991)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}} {{Use British English|date=March 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Karene Peter | birth_name = Karene Estelle Peter | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|01|18|df=y}} | birth_place = [[London Borough of Waltham Forest|Waltham Forest]], [[London]], England | alma_mater = [[Identity School of Acting]] | occupation = Actress | years_active = 2013–present }}

'''Karene Estelle Peter''' (born 18 January 1991) is an English actress. Whilst working in retail, a friend convinced her to join her acting class and she eventually began making appearances in British television series including ''[[Holby City]]'' and ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]''. She then portrayed the role of Serena in the [[CBBC]] series ''[[The Sparticle Mystery]]''. After a recurring role in the [[BBC]] period drama ''[[Call the Midwife]]'', she was cast as [[Naomi Walters]] in the [[ITV1]] soap opera ''[[Emmerdale]]'', a role she stayed in from 2022 to 2023.

==Life and career== Karene Estelle Peter was born on 18 January 1991 in the [[London Borough of Waltham Forest]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Emmerdale's Karene Peter's accidental career change and astonishing real age away from Naomi Walters |url=https://www.rsvplive.ie/news/celebs/emmerdales-karene-peters-accidental-career-27747456 |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=[[RSVP Live]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Peter |first1=Karene |title=18.01.26 {{!}} 35🎂✨ |url=https://www.instagram.com/kareneestelle/p/DUG5KRwjMPg/ |publisher=[[Instagram]] |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Karene Peter |url=https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/search/results?sourcecategory=birthsutf002c%20marriages%20utf0026%20deaths&collection=births%20utf0026%20baptisms&firstname=karene&lastname=peter&birthyear=1991&birthyear_offset=1&region=great%20britain |publisher=[[Genes Reunited]] |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref> Whilst on a gap year from university, she worked in [[Sports Direct]]. Whilst there, a friend told her to join her acting class, and after she trained at the [[Identity School of Acting]], she started booking television, advertisement and stage roles.<ref name="Retail">{{cite news |title=Everything you need to know about Emmerdale's Naomi star Karene Peter as she joins ITV soap |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/emmerdale-news-cast-naomi-spoilers-27415770 |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=[[OK!]] |archive-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629115002/https://www.ok.co.uk/tv/emmerdale-news-cast-naomi-spoilers-27415770 |url-status=live }}</ref> Peter's television debut was in an episode of the [[BBC]] medical drama ''[[Holby City]]'' in 2013, shortly followed by a role in fellow BBC medical soap opera ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' that same year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Inside Emmerdale newbie Karene Peter's life – from accidental fame to old retail job |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/inside-emmerdale-newbie-karene-peters-27367544 |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=[[Daily Mirror]]}}</ref> Also in 2013, Peter was cast in the role of Serena on the [[CBBC]] science fiction series ''[[The Sparticle Mystery]]''. She starred in the second and third series.<ref>{{cite news |title=Emmerdale: Who is newcomer Naomi and Karene Peter who plays her? |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/05/emmerdale-who-is-newcomer-naomi-and-karene-peter-who-plays-her-16943944/ |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |archive-date=30 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630193336/https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/05/emmerdale-who-is-newcomer-naomi-and-karene-peter-who-plays-her-16943944/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, Peter made her film debut in the comedy film ''[[Mindhorn]]''. A year later, she appeared in an episode of the [[ITV1]] crime drama series ''[[Unforgotten]]''.<ref name="Retail" /> 2021 saw Peter appear in the recurring role of student midwife Georgette Baines in the BBC period drama series ''[[Call the Midwife]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=ITV Emmerdale new star's 'accidental' fame ahead of soap debut in major storyline |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/itv-emmerdale-new-stars-accidental-24373007 |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=[[Birmingham Mail]] |archive-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710171146/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/itv-emmerdale-new-stars-accidental-24373007 |url-status=live }}</ref> A year later, she was cast in the ITV1 soap opera ''[[Emmerdale]]'' as [[Naomi Walters]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last=White|first=Kate|date=2–8 July 2022|title=Charles meets his secret daughter!|magazine=[[Inside Soap]]|issue=27|pages=22–23}}</ref> Peter said it was surreal to be joining ''Emmerdale'', having watched the soap as a child.<ref name="Retail" /> Her character was introduced as the daughter of established characters [[Charles Anderson (Emmerdale)|Charles]] ([[Kevin Mathurin]]) and [[List of Emmerdale characters introduced in 2021#Esme|Esme]] ([[Eva Fontaine]]) and the younger sister of [[Ethan Anderson]] (Emile John). Naomi was initially referenced on the soap in October 2021 when Esme mentions her to Charles.<ref name="Naomi">{{cite news |last1=Haasler |first1=Sue |title=Emmerdale spoilers: Charles is reunited with his lost daughter Naomi but disaster strikes |url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/28/emmerdale-spoilers-charles-reunited-with-daughter-but-disaster-strikes-16864897/ |access-date=28 June 2022 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |publisher=([[DMG Media]]) |date=28 June 2022 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628070819/https://metro.co.uk/2022/06/28/emmerdale-spoilers-charles-reunited-with-daughter-but-disaster-strikes-16864897/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She made her first appearance on 14 June 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/23/emmerdale-karene-peter-explains-naomis-involvement-in-nicola-attack-17190465/|title=Emmerdale star Karene Peter explains Naomi's involvement in Nicola's attack|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|date=23 August 2022|last=Kitson|first=Calli|publisher=([[DMG Media]])|access-date=25 August 2022|archive-date=26 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826022711/https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/23/emmerdale-karene-peter-explains-naomis-involvement-in-nicola-attack-17190465/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2023, it was announced that Peter had quit her role as Naomi. A spokesperson said that Peter had enjoyed her time on ''Emmerdale'', but due to wanting to play different roles, she had made the decision to leave.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daly |first1=Helen |title=Emmerdale star 'quits ITV soap after a year' |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/emmerdale/emmerdale-naomi-exit-karene-peters-newsupdate/ |access-date=25 April 2023 |work=[[Radio Times]] |date=25 April 2023 |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425140614/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/soaps/emmerdale/emmerdale-naomi-exit-karene-peters-newsupdate/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Peter's character made her final appearance on 6 July 2023, with the soap writing her out in a way that could accommodate Peter's return in the future, if she wanted.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Harriet |title=Emmerdale exit for Naomi Walters as Karene Peter leaves show |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a43697079/emmerdale-naomi-walters-karene-peter-exit/ |access-date=30 June 2023 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |publisher=([[Hearst Communications]]) |date=25 April 2023 |archive-date=3 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503230325/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a43697079/emmerdale-naomi-walters-karene-peter-exit/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following her ''Emmerdale'' exit, Peter appeared in the 2023 film ''[[Rye Lane]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Rom-Com Rye Lane Pays Homage to South London |url=https://time.com/6267667/rye-lane-hulu-british-rom-com-south-london/ |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |archive-date=13 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250513201237/https://time.com/6267667/rye-lane-hulu-british-rom-com-south-london/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2026, she joined the stage production of ''[[Jaja's African Hair Braiding]]'' at the [[Lyric Theatre (Hammersmith)|Lyric Theatre]] in [[Hammersmith]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Tony-Winning 'Jaja's African Hair Braiding' Unveils Full Cast for U.K. Bow (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2026/theater/news/jaja-african-hair-braiding-cast-uk-premiere-1236642396/ |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Twists in the tale: Jaja's African Hair Braiding explores immigrant experience through a day at the salon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/mar/04/jajas-african-hair-braiding-jocelyn-bioh-monique-touko-lyric-theatre-hammersmith-london |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The play is set in a [[Harlem]] hair braiding salon and follows a group of West African immigrant braiders and their customers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Casting revealed for 'Jaja's African Hair Braiding' |url=https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/casting-revealed-for-jajas-african-hair-braiding |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=London Theatre}}</ref>

==Filmography== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2013 | ''[[Holby City]]'' | Lyndsey Campbell | Episode: "Promises, Promises" |- | 2013 | ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' | Amy Chander | Episode: "Where the Buck Stops" |- | 2013–2015 | ''[[The Sparticle Mystery]]'' | Serena | Main role |- | 2016 | ''[[Mindhorn]]'' | Jane the Runner | Film |- | 2017 | ''[[Unforgotten]]'' | WPC Grant | Guest role |- | 2021 | ''[[Call the Midwife]]'' | Georgette Baines | Recurring role |- | 2022–2023 | ''[[Emmerdale]]'' | [[Naomi Walters]] | Regular role |- | 2023 | ''[[Rye Lane]]'' | Gia | Film |}

==Stage== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Venue ! {{Ref.}} |- | rowspan="2" {{Unknown}} | ''The Petticoat Rebellion'' | Ensemble | [[Shaftesbury Theatre]] | align="center" | <ref name="Spotlight">{{cite web |title=Karene Peter |url=https://app.spotlight.com/5816-4534-6107 |publisher=[[Spotlight (company)|Spotlight]] |access-date=25 March 2026}}</ref> |- | ''Licence to Thrill'' | Ensemble | [[Theatre Royal Drury Lane]] | align="center" | <ref name="Spotlight" /> |- | 2026 | ''[[Jaja's African Hair Braiding]]'' | Jennifer | [[Lyric Theatre (Hammersmith)|Lyric Theatre]] | align="center" | <ref>{{cite news |title=Cast for Jaja's African Hair Braiding's UK premiere revealed |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/cast-for-jajas-african-hair-braidings-uk-premiere-revealed_1710180/ |access-date=25 March 2026 |work=[[WhatsOnStage]]}}</ref> |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb name|5515248}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Peter, Karene}} [[Category:1991 births]] [[Category:21st-century Black British women]] [[Category:21st-century English actresses]] [[Category:Actors from the London Borough of Waltham Forest]] [[Category:Alumni of the Identity School of Acting]] [[Category:Black British actresses]] [[Category:English film actresses]] [[Category:English soap opera actresses]] [[Category:English stage actresses]] [[Category:English television actresses]] [[Category:Living people]]