Maisie Smith is a 24-year-old English actress and singer who first captured public attention as a child performer and later became a household name for her long-running role on BBC’s EastEnders. Born on 9 July 2001 in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, she played Tiffany Butcher on the soap for 14 years before stepping away to explore new opportunities. Her appearances on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 and her relationship with singer Max George have kept her in the spotlight ever since.
Beyond television, Smith has ventured into musical theatre, released her own music, and built a strong social media presence. As of 2025, she is touring the UK in a stage adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley, signalling a deliberate shift toward live performance. This article covers her age, early life, career highlights, relationship status, and what she is working on now.
All information is drawn from publicly available sources, including Wikipedia, Instagram, TikTok, and news outlets, to provide an accurate and up-to-date portrait of one of Britain’s most recognisable young entertainers.
How old is Maisie Smith and what was her early career?
24 (born 9 July 2001)
Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders
Dating singer Max George (since May 2022)
Instagram & TikTok with millions of followers
- Maisie Smith began acting at age five, securing a role in the 2006 film The Other Boleyn Girl playing young Elizabeth I.
- She rose to fame playing Tiffany Butcher in BBC’s EastEnders from 2008 to 2022.
- In 2020 she competed on Strictly Come Dancing with partner Gorka Márquez, finishing second.
- She is currently touring the UK in the stage production The Talented Mr. Ripley playing Marge.
- Her relationship with Max George (The Wanted) has been widely covered in tabloids since 2022.
- She has released singles including Good Thing and Where My Heart Is.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Maisie Louise Collender Smith |
| Date of Birth | 9 July 2001 |
| Age (2025) | 24 years old |
| Birthplace | Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England |
| Occupation | Actress and singer |
| Years Active | 2008–present |
| Notable Role | Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders |
| Partner | Max George (dating since May 2022) |
Smith attended Belfairs Academy, Sandra Singer Stage School in Leigh-on-Sea, and later studied musical theatre at South Essex College. Her parents, Stephen and Julia, and her sister Scarlett have been a consistent presence throughout her career. She was just five years old when she landed her first on-screen part, a sign of the dedication that would define her professional life.
What are Maisie Smith’s most notable acting roles?
Tiffany Butcher on EastEnders
Smith joined the cast of EastEnders in 2008, first appearing on 1 April as Tiffany Dean, later known as Tiffany Butcher. The role made her one of the most recognisable young faces on British television. Over 14 years, her character navigated storylines involving family conflict, romance, and personal growth. Smith earned critical recognition early on, winning Best Dramatic Performance From a Young Actor at the British Soap Awards in 2009 and Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap Awards in 2011.
Strictly Come Dancing (2020)
In 2020, Smith appeared as a contestant on Season 18 of Strictly Come Dancing, paired with professional dancer Gorka Márquez. She reached the final and finished in second place. The exposure introduced her to a wider audience and cemented her status as a versatile performer. Her dance journey was covered extensively by outlets such as The Sun.
Music and film: Where My Heart Is
In 2023, Smith released a single titled Where My Heart Is and starred in a film of the same name. The romantic drama follows a young woman who returns to her hometown and reconnects with her family. The project demonstrated her ambition to work across different media, though she has not announced additional film roles since.
Stage work and musical theatre
Smith made her musical theatre debut in 2022 playing Fran in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical. In 2024 she was cast as Beth, the Parson’s Wife in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds musical tour. As of 2025 and into 2026, she is performing the role of Marge in the UK tour of The Talented Mr. Ripley, a stage adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s novel. Her Instagram account documents behind-the-scenes content from the production.
Smith’s move from screen to stage marks a deliberate career shift. After leaving EastEnders in 2022, she told outlets she wanted to challenge herself with live theatre. Her roles in Strictly Ballroom: The Musical, The War of the Worlds, and The Talented Mr. Ripley confirm this commitment to stage work.
In 2022, Smith also appeared as a finalist on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, further diversifying her television exposure. Her ability to move between soap opera, reality competition, musical theatre, and drama reflects a career built on versatility.
Who is Maisie Smith in a relationship with?
Maisie Smith and Max George
Smith began dating Max George in May 2022. George is the former lead singer of the British pop-rock band The Wanted, which was active from 2009 to 2014 and produced hits such as Heart Vacancy, Chasing Cars, and Down Down Down. After the band disbanded, George pursued a solo career and appeared as a coach on The X Factor in 2016. Their relationship was publicly confirmed and has been covered by multiple media outlets, including a feature on Cyprus Villa Retreats.
Are they married?
As of 2025, Smith and George are not married. Online searches for “Maisie Smith husband” often arise from her long-term relationship with George, but no marriage has been announced. The couple frequently share posts on social media, but they have not publicly discussed engagement or wedding plans.
Who is Maisie Smith’s mother?
Smith’s mother is Julia Smith, who has largely stayed out of the public eye. Her father is Stephen Smith, and she has a younger sister named Scarlett. The family has been a supportive presence throughout her career, and Smith has occasionally mentioned them in interviews and social media posts.
Maisie Smith is not related to Maisie Summers-Newton, the British Paralympic swimmer. The similarity in names sometimes causes confusion online, but the two are entirely different individuals with separate careers.
What are the key milestones in Maisie Smith’s career?
- 2008 – Film debut in The Other Boleyn Girl (filmed in 2006, released 2008).
- 2008–2022 – Portrays Tiffany Butcher in EastEnders across 14 years.
- 2009 – Wins Best Dramatic Performance From a Young Actor at the British Soap Awards.
- 2011 – Wins Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap Awards.
- 2020 – Competes on Strictly Come Dancing and finishes second.
- 2022 – Leaves EastEnders; begins relationship with Max George; appears on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
- 2023 – Releases single and film Where My Heart Is.
- 2024–2025 – Stars as Marge in UK tour of The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Smith also won Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap Awards in 2011 and appeared on CITV’s Bookaboo as a Junior Young Ambassador that same year, according to her IMDb biography.
Is Maisie Smith married and what are common misconceptions?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 9 July 2001 in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. | Whether she and Max George plan to marry in the near future has not been publicly discussed. |
| Played Tiffany Butcher on EastEnders from 2008 to 2022. | No new television or film projects have been announced beyond the current stage tour. |
| Dating Max George since May 2022. | Her exact social media follower counts fluctuate and are not officially verified as of early 2025. |
| Not married as of 2025. | Details about her education timeline and specific grades achieved are not publicly documented. |
| Maisie Summers-Newton is a different person (Paralympic swimmer). | — |
The name similarity between Maisie Smith and Paralympic swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton occasionally creates confusion in online searches. They are unrelated and work in entirely separate fields.
How has Maisie Smith’s career evolved over time?
Smith’s career trajectory shows a successful transition from child actor to lead roles in a major soap opera, followed by reality TV exposure on Strictly Come Dancing, which significantly boosted her public profile. That appearance opened doors to stage work, music releases, and a stronger social media presence.
She has leveraged platforms such as Instagram and TikTok to maintain a young, engaged fanbase beyond her EastEnders audience. Her current theatre role in The Talented Mr. Ripley indicates a move toward serious stage work, diversifying her portfolio beyond screen acting. Fans of her earlier soap work can explore the EastEnders cast and characters page for more context on her time in Walford.
Smith has also expressed being a fan of Doctor Who and actor David Tennant, according to her Famous Birthdays profile, though she has not pursued genre television roles to date.
Where can reliable information about Maisie Smith be found?
The most comprehensive and verified source for biographical details about Maisie Smith is her Wikipedia page, which covers her full name, date of birth, family background, education, and career timeline. Her IMDb profile provides additional awards information and early credits.
For current projects and personal updates, her official Instagram and TikTok accounts are the most direct sources. News outlets such as The Sun have covered her relationship with Max George, her Strictly Come Dancing journey, and recent career moves. The promotional feature on Cyprus Villa Retreats also corroborates her relationship with George.
Maisie Smith is a 24-year-old English actress and singer, born on July 9, 2001, in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, best known for her long-running role as Tiffany Butcher in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and for finishing second in the 2020 season of Strictly Come Dancing.
— Wikipedia summary, corroborated by multiple sources
She began acting at age five, securing a role in the 2006 film The Other Boleyn Girl (playing young Elizabeth I).
— KidsKiddle and Famous Birthdays
What is Maisie Smith doing now?
As of 2025, Maisie Smith is performing as Marge in the UK tour of The Talented Mr. Ripley, a stage adaptation running through 2026. She continues to post regularly on Instagram and TikTok, building her personal brand and engaging with fans. No new television or film projects have been announced, but her steady work in musical theatre and her history of career reinvention suggest further opportunities will emerge. Viewers who followed her Strictly journey may also enjoy the Strictly Come Dancing 2020 contestants page.
Frequently asked questions about Maisie Smith
What is Maisie Smith’s film Where My Heart Is about?
Maisie Smith released a single and starred in a film of the same name in 2023. The film follows a young woman returning to her hometown and reconnecting with family. It is a romantic drama.
Does Maisie Smith have any siblings?
Yes, she has a younger sister named Scarlett. The family has lived together in Essex, and Smith has occasionally shared photos with her sister on social media.
Did Maisie Smith win Strictly Come Dancing?
No, she finished in second place during Season 18 in 2020, dancing with professional partner Gorka Márquez.
What awards has Maisie Smith won?
She won Best Dramatic Performance From a Young Actor at the British Soap Awards in 2009 and Best Young Actor at the Inside Soap Awards in 2011.
Why did Maisie Smith leave EastEnders?
She left in 2022 after 14 years to pursue new opportunities, including musical theatre, music, and other television projects.
Is Maisie Smith the same person as Maisie Summers-Newton?
No. Maisie Summers-Newton is a British Paralympic swimmer. The two are unrelated and work in different fields.
Does Maisie Smith sing?
Yes. She has released singles including Good Thing and Where My Heart Is, and her musical theatre roles have also showcased her singing ability.
How tall is Maisie Smith?
Her exact height is not officially confirmed in major biographical sources, though online estimates vary.
What is Maisie Smith’s current stage role?
As of 2025, she is touring the UK as Marge in a stage adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Who is Maisie Smith’s partner?
She is in a relationship with Max George, the former lead singer of the band The Wanted, since May 2022.
Margaret Finch is Culture & Features Editor at readingwire.co.uk, covering features, long-form journalism, cultural analysis and opinion pieces.