Biography
Sophie Rankin is a British actress with an extensive body of work spanning feature films, television, and international modeling. She has appeared in 29 feature films and numerous television productions worldwide. Sophie is best known for her leading roles in Escape as Lucy, directed by award-winning filmmaker Howard J Ford, which won Best Thriller at the UK Film Awards; DarkGame as Fay alongside Ed Westwick; Ouija Castle as Princess Sofia; Mr & Mrs Cruz as Celine and the popular UK TV series Emmerdale as Erica.
Born in Hampshire, England, to Karen and Grahame Rankin, Sophie grew up in a close-knit family alongside her brother, Ben. She often speaks fondly of her upbringing and her 'best friend relationship' with her mother. A passionate athlete in her youth, Sophie competed at a high level in county gymnastics. She completed her A-Levels in Dance, Drama, Theatre Studies, English Language, and Psychology before pursuing professional acting training at the Actors Studio in London and the New York Film Academy.
Sophie moved to London to begin her performance career, dedicating herself to auditions, workshops, and one-on-one coaching. Early in her career, she worked extensively in modeling and commercial dancing, appearing in over 30 British and American music videos, commercials, fashion campaigns, and Bollywood films. She also secured modeling contracts for brands including Superdrug Makeup.
Transitioning into acting, Sophie landed roles in multiple feature films and an Indian television series, Love is Greater than God. She subsequently appeared in the UK television series Emmerdale, British commercials, and reality programs such as Lee Nelson's Well Good Show and On the Road with Jack Whitehall. She also filmed a BBC pilot in Miami and Nicaragua, where she famously took the opportunity to go volcano surfing.
In 2015, Sophie won the title of Miss Wonderful UK and went on to represent England in Miss Global International, reaching the finals in Manila, Philippines. She later relocated to the Philippines for five years, embracing the local culture and learning basic Tagalog to enhance her performances. During this time, she starred in multiple feature films and television series, became a prominent model for brands across Asia, including Vision Express, Minar Jewellery, Bio Luce, Eslite, Akero, Red Ribbon, and Jazzy France, and served as a TV presenter on GMA News' Happy Life. Notable film and TV credits from this period include Mr & Mrs Cruz (2018), Boy Tokwa (2019), and the popular GMA TV series Asawa Ko Karibal Ko.
In 2017, Sophie won the international beauty title Miss Harmony World in Bali, Indonesia, further expanding her modeling career across Asia. She also worked as a presenter and public speaker in China for six months in 2018.
An avid world traveler and committed philanthropist, Sophie has undertaken numerous charitable projects, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for No More Malaria UK, volunteering in orphanages across Vietnam, Thailand, and Africa, and teaching English in Tanzania. In 2014, she produced and directed a charity fashion show in London with Revail Model Group to benefit the British Heart Foundation.
Since returning to the UK, Sophie has appeared in 15 consecutive feature films and 4 vertical series all in leading roles, cementing her reputation as a versatile and dynamic actress.
Written by Joanna Reed
