{{Short description|English actress}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox person | name = Rae Baker | image = <!-- NOTE TO EDITORS: Do not replace the header image unless it is with a photo under a public domain or free license (NOT the same as fair use). Any fair use photos (i.e. promotional photos, album covers) are copyright violations and will be deleted. Also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Fair use criteria --> | caption = | birth_name = Rachel Jane Baker | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|11|19|df=yes}} | birth_place = Winchester, Hampshire, England | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = Actress | alma_mater = Royal Central School of Speech and Drama | years_active = 1995–present | spouse = | partner = | website = | awards = Personal bursary from Cameron Mackintosh to train at the Central School of Speech and Drama }} '''Rachel Jane "Rae" Baker''' (born 19 November 1973<ref>{{cite web|url=http://search.findmypast.co.uk/results/world-records/england-and-wales-births-1837-2006?firstname=rachel+j&20j&lastname=baker&eventyear=1973&eventyear_offset=0&district=winchester&county=hampshire|title=findmypast.co.uk|website=search.findmypast.co.uk}}</ref>) is an English actress most famous for playing Detective Constable Juliet Becker in the long running ITV drama ''The Bill.''
==Career== Born in Winchester, Hampshire, Baker joined the local Gilbert and Sullivan repertory company aged 13 and took private piano and singing lessons to improve her soprano voice.<ref name="BiBos"/> She received a personal bursary from Cameron Mackintosh to train at the Central School of Speech and Drama.{{Citation needed|date=November 2014}}
After graduation, Baker secured roles in ''Guys & Dolls'' and ''A Winter's Tale'' at the Royal National Theatre.<ref name="LM.com"/> Her TV debut was in the first episode of ''Jonathan Creek''.<ref>[http://beta.radiotimes.com/episode/rzhw/jonathan-creek-the-wrestler%27s-tomb ''Radio Times'', cast list for Jonathan Creek, episode 1, series 1, The Wrestler's Tomb.]</ref> In 1998, Baker had a role in the film ''Shadow Run'' with Michael Caine<ref name="BiBos"/> and followed that with leading West End theatre roles in ''The Postman Always Rings Twice'' opposite Val Kilmer,<ref name="LM.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.lastminute.com/site/entertainment/theatre/interview/rae-baker.html|title=Kissing (and more) with Postman Always Rings Twice star, Rae Baker|publisher=lastminute.com|date=2008-06-23|accessdate=2008-10-06}}</ref> and as Vivian in ''Dirty Dancing.''<ref name="IMDB">{{IMDb name|id=0048840|name=Rae Baker}}</ref>
In July 2003, Baker joined ITV drama ''The Bill'' playing the role of Detective Constable Juliet Becker. Originally Baker screen tested for the part of ditzy Police Constable Honey Harman,<ref name="LM.com"/> but the producers decided to cast Kim Tiddy in that role and created the role of DC Becker especially for Baker, allowing her to indulge her passion of riding motorcycles by providing her with a Honda Hornet.<ref name="BiBos">{{cite web|url=http://thebillbios.co.uk/baker_sundaymail.htm|title=I've kissed so many women I don't care|publisher=thebillbios.co.uk|date=2003-07-06|accessdate=2008-10-06}}</ref> Baker took the role due to its variety of portraying a bisexual character, but left as she began to feel the role was not developing beyond a ratings gaining option to exploit the character kissing other women.<ref name="LM.com"/>
Baker also played the love interest, Caroline Garvey, for Dr Nick West in the BBC One daytime series ''Doctors.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00dw7t7|title="Doctors" Series 10 - Light Fingers, Loose Tongues|publisher=BBC One|date=2008-10-06|accessdate=2008-10-06}}</ref> and has appeared as Jade Dixon-Halliday in children's spy drama ''MI High'' and played the role of "Shinada" in Sci-Fi movie "Ice Planet".
In 2015 she appeared as Mimi in the BBC TV series ''Father Brown'' episode 3.8 "The Lair of the Libertines"
==Personal life== Baker is married to actor and writer Duncan Wisbey and the couple had their first child, Hattie, in May 2011.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=0048840|name=Rae Baker}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Baker, Rae}} Category:1973 births Category:Living people Category:Actresses from Winchester Category:Alumni of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama Category:English sopranos Category:English stage actresses Category:English television actresses Category:English soap opera actresses Category:21st-century English women singers Category:21st-century English singers