Eva Pope
Eva Rebecca Pope (born 16 November 1967) is an English actress, best known for her portrayal of longest-serving headmistress Rachel Mason in "Waterloo Road", and appearances in "Coronation Street", "Dream Team", "Baby Boys" and "Hetty Feather". Early life and education. Eva Pope was born in Appley Bridge, Wigan, Lancashire on 16 November 1967. She trained to be an actress at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1988. Career. Pope's first major role was playing the villainous Tanya Pooley in the ITV soap opera "Coronation Street" from 1993 to 1994. Since then, she has  made appearances in "Cold Feet", "The Bill", "Heartbeat", "Peak Practice" (as Claire Brightwell), "Men of the World", "Holby City", "Casualty", "Strictly Confidential", "Adventure Inc.", "Vincent" (as Cathy Gallagher), "Bad Girls" as prison governess Frances Myers, "Life on Mars", "Sorted", "" and the film "Shadow Man". From November 2007 to July 2010, she appeared as headteacher Rachel Mason in the BBC One school-based drama series "Waterloo Road". Pope's theatre credits include roles in "The Comedy of Errors", "Turkey Time" and "Hobson's Choice". She is a regular performer and was part of the original cast of "Seven Deadly Sins Four  Deadly Sinners" and in November 2007, appeared at the Théâtre Princesse Grace, Monte Carlo, directed by Marc Sinden, as part of his British Theatre Season, Monaco. In March 2011, Pope starred as Ellie in the BBC One daytime drama "32 Brinkburn Street". She starred in "Being Sold the Movie", which premiered on 19 June 2011. On 13 August 2011, Eva Pope starred as policewoman Simone Grayson on "Casualty" in the first episode of series 26. She appeared in the third series of "Moving On" on 16 November 2011 playing Michelle. In 2017, she appeared in Season 20 Episodes 5 and  6 of the BBC forensic drama series "Silent Witness" as DI Heather Ashton. She played Matron "Gertie" Bottomly in CBBC's adaptation of "Hetty Feather", based on the book of the same name by Jacqueline Wilson, for five years. In 2019, Pope appeared in "Deep Cuts" as Bridget McFadden. Personal life. In 1994, Pope was married to graphic designer Laurence Lassalle, with whom she has a daughter. They divorced in 2004. Pope is a grandmother.