Annie Wallace (born 6 May 1965) is a British actress, known for portraying the role of Sally St. Claire in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a role she has portrayed since 2015. She is the first transgender person to portray a regular transgender character in British soap opera history.[1]
Annie Wallace | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1965-05-06) 6 May 1965 (age 57) Aberdeen, Scotland |
| Education | Manchester School of Theatre |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Known for | Role of Sally St. Claire in Hollyoaks |
| Website | anniewallace |
Wallace was previously a member of the National Youth Theatre in 1981, but she temporarily stopped acting to work in computer science and sound engineering. After eighteen months as a research assistant for the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, from 1998 to 2000, where she advised for and inspired the character of Hayley Patterson (later Cropper),[2] she auditioned successfully for the Manchester School of Theatre in 2001, graduating in 2004. She then appeared in various Manchester theatre productions, including Withnail and I and Wyrd Sisters. In 2011, she appeared in an episode of Shameless[3] as school headmistress Miss Heller. Wallace is also a musician, with two albums written and recorded with collaborator John Beresford.[4] She has also worked on several podcast comedy series,[5] as well as sound and video design for various theatrical productions.
On 9 October 2015, it was announced[6] that she would be joining the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, in a new regular role as Sally St. Claire.[7][8] Wallace made her first appearance on 29 October 2015.
On 5 January 2018, Wallace took part in an edition of Celebrity Mastermind,[9] where her specialist subject was "Doctor Who – 1970–1980". She came in second place with 21 points, losing to journalist Martin Bell with 24 points. Her chosen charity was Mermaids.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Shameless | Miss Heller | Episode: "Beginnings and Ends" |
| 2013 | Dream On | Barmaid | Film |
| 2015–present | Hollyoaks | Sally St. Claire | Series regular |
On 15 November 2015, she was placed at number 17 on the Rainbow List, published by The Independent on Sunday; a list of the most influential openly LGBTI individuals in the United Kingdom, published annually.[10] On 25 June 2016, Wallace was placed at number 39 on the Pride Power List, published by Out News Global as part of Pride in London; another list of in celebration of the achievements of 100 most influential lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Britain, voted for by the public.[11] On 16 September 2016, she won The National Diversity Awards "Celebrity of the Year" award, at Liverpool Cathedral.[12] On the same day she was placed at No.38 on the DIVA Power List.[13] On 5 October 2016, she was nominated in the BAFTA Scotland Awards 2016 in the category of "Best Actress - Television" for her role in Hollyoaks;[14] the first ever British transgender actress to be nominated for a BAFTA award.[15] On 2 October 2021 she was presented with the Judges Award for Outstanding Trans Activism at the Proud Scotland Awards.[16]
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Sparkle National Transgender Awards | "Trans* Person in the Media/TV of the Year" | Hollyoaks as Sally St. Claire | Nominated |
| 2016 | The National Diversity Awards | "Celebrity of the Year" | Won | |
| 2016 | TV Choice Awards | "Best Soap Newcomer" | Nominated | |
| 2016 | Icon Awards | "Cultural Icon of the Year" | Runner-up | |
| 2016 | Digital Spy Soap Awards | "Biggest Unsung Hero" | Nominated | |
| 2016 | BAFTA Scotland Awards 2016 | "Best Actress - Television" | Nominated | |
| 2017 | British LGBT Awards | "LGBT+ Celebrity Rising Star" | Nominated | |
| 2018 | TRIC Awards | "Best Soap Actor" | Nominated | |
| 2021 | Proud Scotland Awards | "The Judges Award" | for Outstanding Trans Activism | Won |