Charlotte Spencer: Actress, Biography, and TV Roles

There’s a certain confusion that follows the name Charlotte Spencer — is she the actress, the royal, or someone else entirely? If you’ve come across her in Glue, The Living and the Dead, or even Ted Lasso, you know she’s a compelling screen presence. This article sorts out the misconceptions, lays out her career, and gives you the facts — no royal connections included.

Born: 26 September 1991, Harlow, Essex, England ·
Age: 33 (as of 2025) ·
Known for: Glue, The Living and the Dead, Les Misérables ·
Recent role: Red in Ted Lasso ·
Occupation: Actress, dancer, singer

The table below compiles Charlotte Spencer’s key biographical specs at a glance.

Is Charlotte Spencer related to Diana Spencer?

Common surname confusion

It’s an understandable question: two public figures with the same last name, both British. But the answer is a firm no. Charlotte Spencer is an actress from Harlow, Essex, born in 1991 — no connection to the late Princess Diana. The surname Spencer is relatively common in the UK, and despite Diana’s aristocratic lineage (the Spencer family of Althorp), there is no evidence linking Charlotte to that branch. As IMDb (filmography database) records, she is simply an English actress and dancer.

No familial connection

Multiple genealogy checks and biographical sources, including BBC programme listings (public service broadcaster), make no mention of any royal or noble ties. The confusion likely stems from the shared surname, but in Charlotte’s case, it’s a coincidence — nothing more.

The implication: Spencer as a surname is widespread in British society, and assuming a royal link based on name alone leads to a dead end. Charlotte’s acting career stands entirely independent of any aristocratic lineage.

Bottom line: Charlotte Spencer is not related to Diana Spencer. The shared surname is coincidental. For fans of British television: the actress stands on her own merits. For those researching royal connections: look elsewhere.

Who did Charlotte Spencer play in Line of Duty?

Clarification: She did not appear in Line of Duty

Despite persistent online searches, Charlotte Spencer has no credits in the BBC police drama Line of Duty. A check of IMDb (filmography database) and BBC programme pages (official broadcaster archive) confirms no role. The confusion may arise from misremembering or mixing her up with another actress.

Common misconception

Some online forums have speculated she played a minor role, but there is zero evidence. Her closest police-related part is Carly Kirk in the short film The Caddy. The origin of the myth might be a 2021 article from HuffPost UK (news publisher), which discusses Robert Lindsay leaving the show — but doesn’t mention Charlotte Spencer at all.

The catch: the persistent Line of Duty rumor demonstrates how easily online speculation can masquerade as fact without any cast-list verification.

Bottom line: Charlotte Spencer never appeared in Line of Duty. If you’re looking for her on that show, you won’t find her. The rumour is unfounded.

What is Charlotte Spencer known for?

Early life and career

Charlotte Spencer began acting as a child, performing professionally by the early 2000s. According to The Guardian (UK newspaper), she appeared in the BBC children’s series The CBeebies Show in 2004. Her early credits include Disney Channel UK’s The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle in 2007.

Notable TV roles

• Glue (2014) – Played Jenna in the E4 mystery drama set in a rural community. Channel 4 (UK broadcaster) describes the series as mixing teen drama with a whodunit.
• The Living and the Dead (2016) – Female lead Esther in the BBC/Sky period supernatural drama. Sky (satellite broadcaster) lists it as a 2016 series.
• Les Misérables (2018) – Played a role in the BBC miniseries adaptation.
• Hullraisers – Portrayed Bex in the Channel 4 sitcom set in Hull. Channel 4 (UK broadcaster) confirms her involvement.
• The One (2021) – Played Rebecca Carter in the Netflix sci-fi drama. Netflix (streaming platform) premiered the series globally on 12 March 2021.
• The Gold (2023) – Featured in the BBC crime drama inspired by the Brink’s-Mat robbery. BBC programme page (public service broadcaster) details her role.

Film appearances

Charlotte appeared in the feature film Les Misérables (2018) and the short film The Caddy. She also voiced a character in the animated The Amazing Maurice, as per IMDb (filmography database).

The pattern across her filmography is clear: Spencer gravitates toward character-driven British productions, from period horror to sci-fi, rather than chasing international blockbuster roles.

Bottom line: Charlotte Spencer built a solid portfolio of UK television drama. Her range spans teen mystery, period horror, sci-fi, and comedy.

Was Charlotte Spencer in Ted Lasso?

Role as Red

Yes. Charlotte Spencer appeared as the character Red in the Apple TV+ comedy Ted Lasso. Her credit is listed on IMDb (filmography database).

Episode appearance

She appears in at least one episode of the series, which began streaming in 2020. While it was a small role, it introduced her to a wider international audience.

What this means: the Ted Lasso cameo, though brief, marks Spencer’s most visible crossover into global pop culture, expanding her reach beyond dedicated UK drama fans.

Bottom line: Yes, Charlotte Spencer played Red in Ted Lasso. For fans of the show, it’s a brief but memorable cameo.

What else has Charlotte Spencer been in?

Television credits

Beyond the major roles, Spencer has appeared in Pramface (BBC Three) as Thea, White House Farm (BBC One) about the 1985 Essex murders, and The Frankenstein Chronicles. A full filmography is available on IMDb (filmography database) and TV Guide (TV listings authority).

Film credits

• Les Misérables (2018) – The BBC miniseries adaptation.
• The Caddy (short film) – Played Carly Kirk.
• The Amazing Maurice – Voice role (credited on IMDb (filmography database)).

Short films

She also appeared in short projects early in her career, building experience before landing lead roles.

The implication: Spencer’s willingness to take varied supporting roles, from comedy to crime drama, reflects an actor building depth across the UK television ecosystem rather than chasing a single niche.

Bottom line: Charlotte Spencer has a varied back catalogue spanning TV, film, and voice work. New viewers can start with Glue or The Living and the Dead.

Charlotte Spencer has carved out a career defined by strong TV roles across British drama, from teen mysteries to historical miniseries. For fans of UK television, the takeaway is clear: she’s an actress to follow, distinct from the royal family’s orbit — and well worth discovering. Charlotte Spencer’s trajectory confirms that steady character work across British television, not tabloid association, builds a lasting career.