Montana Manning
Montana Manning | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Actress Singer |
| Years active | 2005– |
| Television | Hollyoaks |
Montana Manning is a British actress and singer. She was part of the girl group "Cookie", which toured with Girls Aloud. She had a background role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) and then played Katia in the 2011 slasher film Demons Never Die. From 2011 to 2012, Manning portrayed Jodie Wilde in the soap opera Hollyoaks. She then went to appear in the films Legacy (2015) and Beverly Hills Ghost (2018). Manning was praised for her role as Jasmine in the American independent romantic drama film Daddy Issues (2018). After a guest appearance in Doctors in 2020, Manning has since played roles in the films Wrath of Man (2021), Jolly Good Christmas (2022) and Jingle All the Slay (2025).
Life and career
[edit]When Montana Manning was five-years-old, her mother enrolled her in a weekly drama school, which Manning "absolutely loved".[1] Manning then attended Sylvia Young Theatre School during weekend and, when she was 16 years-old, she achieved an extra role in the 2005 film Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire; the director chose her out of the extras to have a speaking role, but it was cut out of the film, which she was upset about.[2][3] When she was 21, Manning got an agent and later appeared in episode of the soap opera EastEnders when she was 23.[1] She played the role of Katia in the 2011 slasher film Demons Never Die.[2][4] Manning is also a singer and was part of the pop girl group "Cookie".[2][5] The group, including Manning, toured with Girls Aloud.[2][5]
In November 2011, it was announced that Manning had joined the cast of the soap opera Hollyoaks as new character Jodie Wilde, with her first appearance airing the following month.[2] Manning believed that she and Jodie both shared the same drive as she called herself "very ambitious".[5] Manning said that she would not want to sing on the soap as she wanted to keep her singing career separate.[5] Manning grew close to her colleague Holly Weston (Ash Kane) whilst working on the soap.[5] Jodie's main storyline was being in a love triangle with established characters Dodger Savage (Danny Mac) and Texas Longford (Bianca Hendrickse-Spendlove).[6][7] In May 2012, Manning confirmed on Twitter that she had left Hollyoaks after a five-month stint, and she added, "Seriously Thank you to everyone for all the #TEXIE love... it was so much fun".[8][7][9] Hollyoaks producer Emma Smithwick later revealed in an interview that Manning was always meant to have a short stint on the soap due to her character only being brought in as a challenge to Dodger and Texas.[10]
Manning played the role of fashion designer and social media "diva" Jasmine in the 2018 American independent romantic drama film Daddy Issues.[11][12][13] Manning's performance was praised by Justin Lowe from The Hollywood Reporter, writing that Manning made Jasmine the "center of every character's attention and desire" due to the actress' "straightforward take on relationship dynamics proves both refreshing and empowering".[11] Manning's performance was also praised by Zoe Crombie from Film Enquiry, opining that whilst Manning was not given a lot to do, she was "captivating as Jasmine, fully realising the alluring and sensuous character established in the script, as well as giving her a toughness that aids Maya's character development well".[12] Manning appeared in the 2015 comedy film Legacy.[3] The actress also featured in the 2018 comedy-mystery film Beverly Hills Ghost.[14][15] She later guest-starred in the BBC soap opera Doctors as patient Samya Mahmoud in the episode that originally aired on 25 November 2020.[16]
Manning appeared action thriller film in the 2021 Wrath of Man.[3] Manning played Emily in the 2022 Hallmark Christmas movie Jolly Good Christmas.[17][18][19] In 2025, it was announced that Manning had joined the cast of the Christmas action comedy film Jingle All The Slay.[20]
Personal life
[edit]Manning has said that she has been inspired by Will Smith since a young age, and has said that she respects him for refusing to swear in his films and music, in contrast to other actors that would go against what they believe in order to be in productions as they feel that they have to.[1] The actress has said that she loves Psychological horror and action films and would love to act in them.[1] She has also cited Naomie Harris as being an inspiration to Black and British actresses.[1]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | EastEnders | — | Guest role (1 episode) | [1] |
| 2005 | Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | Gryffindor Student | Film | [3] |
| 2011 | Demons Never Die | Katia | Slasher film | [4] |
| 2011–12 | Hollyoaks | Jodie Wilde | Regular role | [7] |
| 2015 | Legacy | Emily | Film | [3] |
| 2018 | Beverly Hills Ghost | Xandra | Comedy-mystery film | [14] |
| 2018 | Daddy Issues | Jasmine | American independent film | [11] |
| 2020 | Doctors | Samya Mahmoud | Guest role (1 episode) | [16] |
| 2021 | Wrath of Man | Anna | Action thriller film | [3] |
| 2022 | Jolly Good Christmas | Emily | Christmas movie | [18] |
| 2025 | Jingle All the Slay | Jenny Carter | Christmas movie | [20] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f The Hangout (24 October 2013). "Introducing...Montana Manning on The Hangout in association with River Island". YouTube. Archived from the original on 12 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Kilkelly, Daniel (30 November 2011). "'Hollyoaks' unveils new character Jodie Wilde". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Montana Manning". TV Guide. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Demons Never Die - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Millar, Paul (3 January 2012). "'Hollyoaks' Montana Manning: 'I don't want to sing as Jodie Wilde'". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 5 July 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ McLennan, Patrick (7 December 2011). "Things heat up between Dodger and Jodie". What to Watch. Future plc. Archived from the original on 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ a b c Eames, Tom (21 May 2012). "'Hollyoaks' star Montana Manning confirms exit". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ McLennan, Patrick (22 May 2012). "Montana and Ashley exit Hollyoaks". What to Watch. Future plc. Archived from the original on 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ Eames, Tom (22 May 2012). "Hollyoaks' Lucy Dixon, Scarlett Bowman post photos from Abersoch shoot". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (22 August 2012). "'Hollyoaks' producer Emma Smithwick shares show gossip, teasers". Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. Archived from the original on 6 July 2025. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ a b c Lowe, Justin (20 July 2018). "'Daddy Issues': Film Review {!} Outfest 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ a b Crombie, Zoe (9 July 2018). "Daddy Issues: A Bittersweet & Sexual Coming of Age". Film Enquiry. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (26 June 2018). "'Daddy Issues' Clip: Outfest Film Unpacks The Use Of LGBTQ Labels". Deadline. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Beverly Hills Ghost - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ "Beverly Hills Ghost". MissDirection Entertainment. Archived from the original on 22 May 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ a b Timblick, Simon (17 November 2020). "Doctors spoilers: Valerie Pitman and Emma Reid at war!". What to Watch. Future plc. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "Jolly Good Christmas (2022)". TV Guide. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Jolly Good Christmas". Apple TV. Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 2 July 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
- ^ "Montana Manning". Apple TV (in French). Apple Inc. Archived from the original on 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
- ^ a b Ramachandran, Naman (27 February 2025). "'Sicario' Star Julio Cesar Cedillo, 'This Is Us' Actor Adam Korson Join Holiday Action-Comedy 'Jingle All The Slay,' First Looks Unveiled (Exclusive)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.