Actress 'overwhelmed' by honorary doctorate

Actress Mia McKenna-Bruce has said she feels "very lucky and honoured" to have received an honorary doctorate marking her career to date.

The former Maidstone Grammar School for Girls pupil, who won a Bafta award for her role in the 2023 film How to Have Sex, received the honour in a ceremony at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) earlier.

The university said McKenna-Bruce's had helped to "elevate Kent onto the national stage" during a career which began as Tee Taylor in the CBBC series The Story of Tracey Beaker in 2010.

McKenna-Bruce told BBC South East Today: "I had absolutely no idea [the university] thought this of me, it's incredible."

She added: "I'm totally overwhelmed, I feel very lucky and very honoured."

After appearing in Tracey Beaker, which she called a "crash course into the whole industry", McKenna-Bruce won the Bafta Rising Star Award in 2024 after appearing in How to Have Sex, released the previous year.

She also won a British Independent Film Award for Best Lead Performance for the same role.

One of her upcoming roles will see her play Ringo Starr's first wife, Maureen Starkey, in Sam Mendes' series of films about The Beatles, which features Barry Keoghan as Starr and Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal and Joseph Quinn as the rest of the Fab Four.

McKenna-Bruce said being cast in the project was "another honour which feels completely surreal".

She also talked about starring alongside Helena Bonham Carter in Seven Dials, a Netflix series based on the Agatha Christie story, calling her an "absolute icon" and "master of everything she does".

Also receiving an award from the university is Judith Armitt DL, who previously served as chief executive of Medway Council and Thames Gateway.

She is receiving her honorary doctorate in recognition of her services to regional and public service, and outstanding contributions to the university.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.