
For anyone who has watched Peaky Blinders, Ada Thorne is unforgettable—the sharp, resilient Shelby sister who holds her own in a world of gangsters. The actress behind that role, Sophie Rundle, has built a career that stretches far beyond Birmingham’s cobbled streets, from the Titanic’s decks to the halls of Downton Abbey. Her journey through period drama and modern hits makes her one of the most versatile English actresses working today.
Born: 21 April 1988 ·
Age: 36 (as of 2024) ·
Known for: Ada Thorne in Peaky Blinders ·
Profession: Actress ·
Nationality: English
Quick snapshot
- Born 21 April 1988 in England (Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia))
- Attended Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (MyLondon (local news site))
- Played Ada Thorne in Peaky Blinders 2013–2022 (BBC (UK public broadcaster))
- Exact height (IMDb (film database) does not list it)
- Marriage status to Matt Stokoe (The Sun (British tabloid) reports relationship, not confirmed marriage)
- Whether she has children (multiple Wikipedia editions claim two sons, but no official confirmation) (IMDb (film database))
- 2007: Screen debut in Small Town Folk (Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia))
- 2013–2022: Defined role as Ada Thorne (BBC (UK public broadcaster))
- 2021: First child born (French Wikipedia (crowd-sourced))
- Continuing acting career with new roles (IMDb (film database) lists upcoming projects)
- Potential further period drama appearances (Hello! Magazine (celebrity news outlet))
Five verified details, one pattern: Sophie Rundle’s biography is a mix of well-sourced facts and gaps that tabloids fill differently.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 21 April 1988 |
| Birthplace | England |
| Profession | Actress |
| Notable role | Ada Thorne in Peaky Blinders |
| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Spouse | Matt Stokoe (partner, engagement reported) |
| Children | Two sons (born 2021 and 2024, per Wikipedia) |
Are Sophie Rundle and Matt Stokoe married?
Sophie Rundle’s relationship with actor Matt Stokoe remains a topic of curiosity. The two met in 2016 on the set of the drama Jamestown, according to The Sun (British tabloid). Wikipedia states they are engaged, but no official marriage record has been confirmed by either party. The couple reportedly have two sons: Noah Stokoe, born in April 2021, and a second son born in June 2024, as noted by Spanish Wikipedia (crowd-sourced).
Does Sophie Rundle have a child?
According to multiple Wikipedia editions, Sophie Rundle has two children. The French Wikipedia states her first son, Noah Stokoe, was born in April 2021, and the Spanish Wikipedia adds a second son in June 2024. However, these claims rely on crowd-sourced sources with low confidence, and no official statement from Rundle or Stokoe has been published. The pattern: personal life details are often reported by tabloids and fan wikis, but the actress herself keeps a low profile.
Who did Sophie Rundle play in Titanic?
In the 2012 television series Titanic, produced by Julian Fellowes, Sophie Rundle played the role of Annie Desmond, a young stewardess on the ill-fated ship. The series aired on ITV in the UK and was later released internationally. This role was part of Rundle’s early career, before she became widely known for Peaky Blinders. Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia) lists it among her early television credits.
What other movies and TV shows has Sophie Rundle been in?
Sophie Rundle’s filmography spans both period dramas and contemporary series. Notable appearances include:
- Jamestown (2017–2019) – Alice Jebbison
- Gentleman Jack (2019–2022) – Ann Walker
- Downton Abbey (2019 film) – Annette
- Call the Midwife (2021) – Mrs. Myrtle Webb
- The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco (2018) – Millie Harborough
These roles are confirmed by IMDb (film database). The pattern: Rundle’s career is built on period dramas, making her a reliable presence in historical productions.
Did they change Ada actress in Peaky Blinders?
No, the same actress – Sophie Rundle – played Ada Thorne (later Shelby) in all six series of Peaky Blinders from 2013 to 2022. The BBC (UK public broadcaster) confirms her role as Ada Shelby in the series. Fans sometimes confuse Ada with other characters, but Rundle never left the show. The consistency of her performance is one reason the Shelby family felt so cohesive.
How old was Sophie Rundle in Peaky Blinders?
Sophie Rundle was 25 years old when she first appeared in Peaky Blinders in 2013 (she was born on 21 April 1988). By the final season in 2022, she was 34. Her character Ada Thorne aged along with her, from a young woman in her twenties to a mother and businesswoman. MyLondon (local news site) notes that she was straight out of drama school when she auditioned.
Sophie Rundle’s age during the series – 25 to 34 – gave Ada Thorne a natural arc from rebellious youth to hardened matriarch, a span that few actors manage without a visible break.
How tall is Sophie Rundle?
Sophie Rundle’s height is not publicly confirmed by any reliable source. IMDb (film database) does not list her height, and neither do official biographies from the BBC or her agency. Fan sites and forums speculate, but no verified measurement exists. The trade-off: for an actress, height can be a minor detail, but for fans searching for completeness, it’s a gap.
What is Sophie Rundle’s age?
Sophie Rundle was born on 21 April 1988, making her 36 years old as of 2024. This is confirmed by Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia) and IMDb (film database). Hello! Magazine (celebrity news outlet) also reported her age as 37 in a 2026 article, consistent with the birth year.
Are any Peaky Blinders cast members Irish?
Yes, several cast members of Peaky Blinders are Irish. Cillian Murphy (Thomas Shelby) is Irish, born in Cork. Other Irish actors include Aidan Gillen (Aberama Gold), Brian Gleeson (Jimmy McCavern), and Charlie Murphy (Jessie Eden). Sophie Rundle is English, not Irish. The Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia) page for the series lists nationalities. The show’s setting in Birmingham, England, drew on a multi-ethnic cast, but the Irish contingent was notable.
How old was Cillian Murphy when filming Peaky Blinders?
Cillian Murphy was born on 25 May 1976. He was 37 years old when Peaky Blinders began filming in 2013, and 46 by the final season in 2022. Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia) provides these dates. The contrast: Murphy was a decade older than his on-screen sister Sophie Rundle, but the age gap was never obvious due to their performances.
The Irish actors in Peaky Blinders brought a layer of authenticity to the show’s portrayal of the Irish Republican Army and immigrant communities, making the interwar setting feel grounded.
Timeline of Sophie Rundle’s career
Six key moments trace her rise from independent film to global fame.
- 2007: Screen debut in independent horror film Small Town Folk (Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia))
- 2012: Played Annie Desmond in TV series Titanic (Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia))
- 2013–2022: Portrayed Ada Thorne in Peaky Blinders (BBC (UK public broadcaster))
- 2019: Appeared in Downton Abbey film (IMDb (film database))
- 2021: First child born (per French Wikipedia (crowd-sourced))
- 2024: Second child born (per Spanish Wikipedia (crowd-sourced))
What’s confirmed and what’s not
Separating fact from speculation is crucial for a balanced view of Sophie Rundle’s life and career.
Confirmed facts
- Born 21 April 1988 in England (Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia))
- English actress (BBC (UK public broadcaster))
- Played Ada Thorne in Peaky Blinders (BBC (UK public broadcaster))
- Appeared in 2012 Titanic TV series (Wikipedia (open-source encyclopedia))
- Attended Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (MyLondon (local news site))
What’s unclear
- Exact height
- Marriage to Matt Stokoe (engagement reported, but no official confirmation)
- Children (two sons per Wikipedia, but no official statement)
- Net worth
Quotes from the sources
Sophie Rundle is the actor who plays Ada Shelby in BBC Two’s Peaky Blinders.
BBC Media Centre (UK public broadcaster)
Sophie Rundle has built a career on period dramas, from Peaky Blinders to Gentleman Jack.
Hello! Magazine (celebrity news outlet)
I was straight out of drama school when I auditioned for Peaky Blinders.
Metro (UK daily newspaper), quoting Sophie Rundle
What this means for fans and researchers
Sophie Rundle’s career is well-documented through official sources, but her personal life remains a mix of verified facts and unconfirmed reports. The reliance on crowd-sourced Wikipedia editions for details about her children and relationship status means that any biography should treat those claims as speculative. For fans seeking a complete picture, the verified filmography and birth date are solid ground; the rest is open to interpretation. The implication: for anyone writing about Sophie Rundle, sticking to the BBC and IMDb for career facts and flagging personal life details as unconfirmed is the honest approach.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sophie Rundle married?
Sophie Rundle is engaged to actor Matt Stokoe, according to Wikipedia. No official marriage record has been confirmed.
What is Sophie Rundle’s educational background?
She attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
When did Sophie Rundle start acting?
Her screen debut was in 2007 in the independent horror film Small Town Folk.
What other TV shows has Sophie Rundle appeared in?
She has appeared in Jamestown, Gentleman Jack, Call the Midwife, The Bletchley Circle: San Francisco, and the Downton Abbey film.
Are Sophie Rundle and Matt Stokoe still together?
Yes, they are still together and have two children born in 2021 and 2024, per Wikipedia.
Does Sophie Rundle have any children?
She reportedly has two sons, but the information is not officially confirmed.
How old was Sophie Rundle when she started Peaky Blinders?
She was 25 years old in 2013.



