Lorna Fitzgerald
A British actress who grew up on screen in one of TV's toughest neighborhoods, then boldly reinvented her career on stage after a dramatic exit.
Born 1996 (age 30)·British actress·Birthday: April 17·Millennials
Biography
Lorna Fitzgerald was just ten years old when she first stepped onto the set of 'EastEnders,' the BBC's enduring soap opera set in London's Albert Square. For over a decade, she played Abi Branning, evolving from a precocious child into a complex young woman entangled in some of the show's most explosive storylines. Her character's tragic, high-profile demise in 2017 marked the end of an era, both for the show and for Fitzgerald. It was a deliberate springboard. Leaving the security of a long-running role behind, she pursued classical training and plunged into theatre. She tackled demanding stage roles, from Shakespeare to contemporary drama, proving her mettle beyond the familiar confines of Walford and establishing herself as a versatile and serious stage actress.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Lorna was born in 1996, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lorna Was Born
The biggest hits of 1996
#1 Movie
Independence Day
Best Picture
The English Patient
#1 TV Show
ER
Lorna's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1996Born
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2001Started school
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2009Became a teenager
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Could drive
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2014Could vote
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Turned 21
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Turned 30
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Abi Branning on the BBC soap opera 'EastEnders' for over 12 years, from 2006 to 2018.
- Performed in stage productions including 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest.'
- Appeared in independent film projects following her departure from television, expanding her range as a performer.
Did You Know?
She is the second-longest-serving child actor in 'EastEnders' history.
She attended Northampton School for Girls.
Her final 'EastEnders' storyline involved a fall from the roof of the Queen Vic pub, a major event in the show's history.
“Playing Abi for twelve years, I grew up in front of a nation.”
