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Heather Peace

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Heather Peace
Born (1975-06-16) 16 June 1975 (age 49)
Bradford, England
Occupation(s)Actress, musician, director
Years active1996–present
TelevisionWaterloo Road (2012–2014)
Lip Service (2010–2012)
Ultimate Force (2005–2006)
London's Burning (1998-2002)
Emmerdale (1996–1997)
Spouse
Ellie Dickinson
​
(m. 2013)​
[1]
Children1
Websitewww.heatherpeace.com/home/

Heather Peace (born 16 June 1975) is an English actress, musician and LGBT rights activist from Bradford, England.

Early life

Heather Peace was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire. She has been playing piano since she was six years old, and guitar since her teens. Peace decided to be an actress at an early age and credits her parents for the encouragement they gave her to achieve that goal.[2]

Acting career

Peace studied acting at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she obtained a BA (Hons).

Peace's break into television came when she joined Emmerdale, playing the character Anne Cullen from 1996 to 1997.

Her first professional stage role was in the 1997 Harrogate Theatre production of My Fair Lady, playing Eliza Doolittle. She subsequently has played Miranda in Shakespeare's The Tempest and the same character in the actor-musician spoof Return to the Forbidden Planet.[3]

After leaving Emmerdale, Peace took parts in The Bill and Dangerfield, before being cast as Firefighter Sally "Gracie" Fields in the ITV series London's Burning from 1998 until the programme's cancellation in 2002.[4] During this time, Peace made a TV movie called Thunder Road, in which she played Sonia.

Between 2003 and 2005, Peace played minor roles in television series including Casualty and Where the Heart Is.

Peace played Special Air Service Trooper Becca Gallagher on the ITV action series Ultimate Force alongside Ross Kemp. Becca was part of the 3rd and 4th series, aired between 2005 and 2008. Peace has given credit to the writers for making Becca 'one of the lads', rather than an overly emotional character and said she had 'so much fun' playing the hero in the show.[5] Ross Kemp has argued the show is made far more interesting by including a female role and believes Peace was the perfect choice for the part ("she is absolutely superb").[6]

During 2006 and 2007, Peace starred in Kay Mellor's TV series The Chase as single mum Fiona Jones. Quite a different character to the action girls often played by Peace, Fiona is portrayed as a left out family member whose resentment and betrayals lead into unexpected sinister behaviour.[7]

She then appeared in television series including Coronation Street, Heartbeat and Holby City. In 2008, Peace appeared as the secretly abusing wife in the "Private Sins" episode of Blue Murder.

She also starred in the film 31 North 62 East where Peace plays again part of a Special Air Service unit. Peace is Captain Jill Mandelson, who will seek help in her twin Kimberly (also played by Peace) to unfold the political corruption that lead to the death of the rest of her unit.[8]

In 2010, Peace was cast as Detective Sergeant Sam Murray in the BBC Three TV series Lip Service. Peace argued that being the only openly lesbian cast member influenced the attention she received regarding the show.[9] The series, written by Harriet Braun, revolves around the loves and lives of group of aged-30-something lesbians in Glasgow, Scotland. The show reached cult status within the first few episodes,[10] with Peace's character Sam, and the actor herself, becoming also the object of cult ("Team Sam" movement among fans of the show).[11] Filming of the second series finished in July 2011 with a transmission date of spring 2012.[12]

In 2011, Peace was cast as Head of English, Nikki Boston before being appointed Deputy Headteacher in 2013 for the BBC One school-drama Waterloo Road.[13] Following a tour of her debut album, she returned to the series for the second part of Series 8. She also featured in Series 9, which screened on BBC One in September 2013. She took another break from Waterloo Road at the end of series 9 Spring Term but has hinted that she may return in Series 11. However, it is unlikely she will return, due to the show's tenth season being its last.

In 2014, Peace took part in ITV's three-part drama Prey as Abi Farrow, wife of main character Detective Constable Marcus Farrow (played by BAFTA nominee John Simm). The drama was directed by BAFTA winner Nick Murphy.[14]

In 2016 she appeared in the BBC TV series The Coroner episode 2.3 "Those in Peril" as Chrissy Woodward

Singing career

Peace was classically trained at piano since she was six years old, and later learned guitar.[15]

She held a jazz residency at Velvet while she attended drama school.[16]

In a 2000 episode of London's Burning, Peace's character sang a version of the Bette Midler classic The Rose. Subsequently released by BMG, it reached no. 56 in the UK charts. She decided to put her music career on hold to concentrate on acting but in 2011 she reignited her love of music with her first sell out UK tour and release of an acoustic album of covers and some original songs.

She recorded her full debut jazz album Fairytales with producer Nigel Wright.[17] Following release on 21 May 2012, it achieved number 43 in the UK Albums Chart and number 9 in the independent albums chart, supported by a UK tour. Heather's Fairytales UK tour culminated with a concert in London, where Peace shared a duet with Alison Moyet.[18]

In 2013 she released a new single, a Jack Guy remix of "Fight For" available on iTunes, and a special edition of her debut album "Fairytales". She has toured Australia twice,[19] where she has taken part in the Sydney Mardi Gras performing on stage as well as hosting the event for the SBS TV.[20]

On the 9th of June 2014, the single "We Can Change", and her second studio album The Thin Line were officially released. Peace launched the new single with Europe´s first rainbow crossing, in Brighton.[21]

All the songs in "The Thin Line" (as well as her previous studio album, Fairytales) are written by Peace. Some of the tracks, however, are the result of a joined work with other songwriters. Such is the case of the single "We Can Change", written by Peace and Shelly Poole, or the song "Lily" (freely available to download from her official website), a co-write by Peace and her guitarist Michael Clancy.[22]

Peace worked in this new album with producer James Lewis, both having a "duty of care" on it.[23] Her focus on her music (she took a break from acting), as well as the extensive work on the album, that did not finish until they both (musician and producer) were perfectly satisfied with it, concluded in The Thin Line, an album she is incredibly proud of.[24]

Following the release of the album, Peace performed in a number of festivals over the summer. The Thin Line tour, during which Peace and her band performed the songs from the new album, took place in October 2014.[25] An acoustic tour followed in March / April[26] and September / October 2015.[27]

Heather announced her plans for a new EP, as well as a European and a full band UK Tour on Spring 2016.[28]

On February 2016, Heather launched a PledgeMusic project for the release of her new EP, Come Home.[29] The support of her fans led to raising 75% of the funds in 24 hours, reaching the project target in under a week.[30] The Come Home EP was released on 8 April 2016.[31]

For her new EP, Heather chose to work again with her producer from The Thin Line, James Lewis, and has said James brings out the best in her.[32] Heather described Come Home as a love story, from meeting to breaking up, in 20 minutes.[33]

Personal life and activism

Peace came out as a lesbian to her mum when she was 19 years old, shortly after she broke up with her first girlfriend.[34] Peace and longtime partner Ellie Dickinson entered into a civil partnership in 2013, and subsequently converted it to marriage in 2014. Dickinson gave birth to their daughter, Annie Mary Peace, on 17 April 2015.[35][36]

Peace is a prominent supporter of LGBT equality causes. She is a patron of Manchester Pride and has recorded a video for Stonewall's "It Gets Better" campaign.[37] She is involved in a number of related charities, including Diversity Role Model s[38] and The Albert Kennedy Trust.[39]

Peace has hosted and curated her own "Heather Peace Presents" stage in several editions of Manchester Pride.[40] In July 2016 Diva announced Peace as her new columnist. Peace said it was an honour for her to be part of a magazine that was relevant to her coming out.[41]

In 2010 she was number 40 on the Independent on Sunday's Pink List, but shot to number 10 in 2011.[42] She was also voted number 18 on US website afterellen.com's 2011 Hot 100 list. She is also the only woman to have ever appeared twice on the cover of Diva Magazine in the space of six months.[43]

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[44]
Fairytales[45] 43
Live at The Jazz Café[46]
  • Live performance: 27 October 2013[47]
  • Labels: Kaleidoscope Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
 —
The Thin Line[48]
  • Released: 9 June 2014
  • Labels: Kaleidoscope Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
 56
Live in Brighton[49]
  • Live performance: 31 November 2014
  • Labels: Kaleidoscope Records
  • Formats: CD
 —

Extended plays

Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[44]
Come Home[50]
  • Released: 8 April 2016
  • Labels: Kaleidoscope Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, Vinyl[51]
 —

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
UK
[44]
2000 "The Rose" 56 —
2012 "Better Than You" — Fairytales
2013 "Fight For"
(Jack Guy Remix) 		—
2014 "We Can Change" — The Thin Line
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released.

References

  1. ^ [UK Government: "marriage should be treated as existing from the date of the original civil partnership" https://www.gov.uk/government/news/conversion-of-civil-partnerships-into-marriage]
  2. ^ "Interview: Action woman gets set for new stage and TV roles – News". Yorkshire Post. 9 June 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  3. ^ "heatherpeace.com". heatherpeace.com. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  4. ^ [1][dead link]
  5. ^ Ultimate Force - Return to ITV
  6. ^ Interviews on Ultimate Force cast regarding the arrival of Becca to the show
  7. ^ Heather's big band moment - Telegraph and Argus
  8. ^ Rotten Tomatoes - 31 North 62 East
  9. ^ The Only Gay in the City - The skinny
  10. ^ TV drama fans pay more Lip Service to Glasgow - Herald Scotland
  11. ^ Peace at last - Herald Scotland
  12. ^ "Video: The Great LezBritain party for the "Lip Service" season finale". AfterEllen.com. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  13. ^ McManus, Bridget (2 September 2011). "Afternoon Delight: Heather Peace joins "Waterloo Road," Anna Paquin in "Margaret"". AfterEllen.com. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  14. ^ Prey casting announcement - ITV
  15. ^ Evening Times: Actress bids to follow musical dream
  16. ^ The Scotsman interview Heather Peace at the beginning of her musical adventure (2011)
  17. ^ Tatler http://www.tatler.com/the-tatler-list/p/heather-peace
  18. ^ Heather Peace and Alison Moyet - Whispering your name
  19. ^ Heather Peace 2014 tour. Sydney Mardi Gras
  20. ^ Tom Ballard, Patrick Abboud and Heather Peace to host Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras broadcast on SBS 2
  21. ^ Heather Peace Launches We Can Change with Europe's First Rainbow Crossing
  22. ^ Curve Magazine interviews Heather Peace about The Thin Line
  23. ^ TGA Magazine. Heather Peace interview
  24. ^ Heather Peace interview by Laura Boyd
  25. ^ Wire Media - Heather Peace
  26. ^ Heather Peace official page. Little Bird Tour
  27. ^ Heather Peace official page. Little Bird Tour Part 2 Postponed
  28. ^ Manchester Pride. Heather Peace Q&A
  29. ^ HeatherPeaceOfficial (10 February 2016), Pre-Order New EP "Come Home" on PledgeMusic., retrieved 29 July 2016
  30. ^ Staff, Curve. "Heather Peace Returns With New EP". Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  31. ^ Heather, Peace. "Release Date!". PledgeMusic. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  32. ^ "Interview: Heather Peace". Band on the Wall.
  33. ^ "HEATHER PEACE: I'M HEARTBROKEN ABOUT BREXIT". Diva Magazine.
  34. ^ "HEART-TO-HEART INTERVIEW WITH HEATHER PEACE".
  35. ^ "Heather Peace and wife Ellie welcome baby daughter".
  36. ^ "Little baby Annie is home safe and sound. Annie Mary Peace".
  37. ^ "HeatherPeaceOfficial". YouTube. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  38. ^ Diversity Role Models - Patrons
  39. ^ Winter Appeal - Albert Kenedy Trust
  40. ^ "Manchester Pride - The Big Weekend 2016". manchesterpride.com. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  41. ^ "Heather Peace announced as a DIVA columnist / DIVA Magazine Lesbian News / www.divamag.co.uk". www.divamag.co.uk. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  42. ^ Ian Herbert (23 October 2011). "The IoS Pink List 2011 – News – People". The Independent. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  43. ^ "Heather Peace: exclusive photo shoot and heart-to-heart / Diva Magazine Lesbian Arts & Entertainment / www.divamag.co.uk". Divamag.co.uk. 20 November 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  44. ^ a b c "Heather Peace > UK Charts". Official Charts Company.
  45. ^ Amazon UK: Heather Peace - Fairytales
  46. ^ "Heather Peace Live at the Jazz Cafe". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  47. ^ Concert Live: Heather Peace Live at the Jazz Cafe
  48. ^ Heather Peace official store. The Thin Line - 2014
  49. ^ Concert Live: Heather Peace The Thin Line Tour Live in Brighton
  50. ^ Come Home - EP by Heather Peace on iTunes
  51. ^ [Heather Peace official store http://heatherpeace.tmstor.es/cart/product.php?id=29147]
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