Linda Davidson – Mary Smith from EastEnders

Before the Canadian-British actress/writer Linda Davidson showed up, it looked like soap operas and punk music didn’t make for a perfect match. But fans loved Davidson’s portrayal of Mary Smith, who’s probably the most famous punk character in the history of British soaps.

In the late ’90s, Davidson decided to quit acting to focus on a more stable career away from the cameras. She’s remained involved with the industry, working in digital media for BBC and Discovery Communications. In 2019, she made a surprising one-episode comeback to EastEnders.