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HOLLYOAKS TO HOLLYWOOD

Who is Rachel Shenton, what’s her film The Silent Child and who is the oscar winning actress’ fiancé Chris Overton?

RACHEL Shenton shot to fame in teen drama Hollyoaks.

But she set her sights on Hollywood and her film The Silent Child, won a 2018 Oscar - here's what we know...

 Rachel Shenton is a British actress
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Rachel Shenton is a British actressCredit: Getty - Contributor

Who is Rachel Shenton?

Rachel, 20 was born December 21, 1987 in Stoke-on-Trent.

She is an English actress who has appeared in a number of British television series and films.

Rachel is best known for playing Mitzeee Minniver on Hollyoaks for three years.

When shewas twelve, her father became deaf after undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Following the death of her father, Rachel learned sign language and qualified as an interpreter - this inspired her to write the film The Silent Child.

In 2011 Rachel was made ambassador for the National Deaf Children's Society and  continues to raise awareness of deafness in the UK.

On March 4, 2018 Rachel won the Oscar for Best live action short film.

 She launched to fame in teen drama Hollyoaks
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She launched to fame in teen drama Hollyoaks

What TV shows has Rachel starred in?

Rachel has starred in numerous shows, including:

  • Holby City (2005)
  • Doctors (2006 and 2007)
  • Waterloo Road (2007)
  • Hollyoaks (2010 - 2013)
  • Switched at Birth (2014 to 2017)
 Rachel wrote and starred in the 2017 film The Silent Child
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Rachel wrote and starred in the 2017 film The Silent ChildCredit: Slick Films / London Flair PR

What is The Silent Child film about?

The Silent Child is a British short film written by and starring Rachel and directed by Chris Overton.

The 2017 film tells the story of Libby, a profoundly deaf four-year-old girl, who lives a silent life until a social worker, played by Rachel, teaches her how to communicate through sign language.

The film features profoundly deaf six-year-old first-time actor Maisie Sly as the titular child.

The film was based on Rachel's own experiences as the child of a parent who became deaf.

The Silent Child won best short film at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in August 2017. This made it eligible for entry to the Oscars.

On January 23, 2018 the film was nominated for an Oscar in the Live Action Short category for the 90th Academy Awards and Rachel and her fiance Chris Overton picked up the coveted statue.

Hollyoaks' Oscar winner Rachel Shenton reveals what went through her head when she heard she had won an Academy Award
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