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Last updated on the 12 June 2025 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: August 5, 1983, Basildon, Essex.
Kara Tointon was raised in Leigh-on-Sea alongside her sister, Hannah, who also pursued an acting career. Her early education included St Michael’s School and St Hilda’s School in Essex. Diagnosed with dyslexia at age seven, Tointon had speech and drama lessons, which helped lay the groundwork for her future in performance. Her initial acting experience came playing Brigitta in a local amateur production of “The Sound of Music”.
Kara Tointon’s career began with early television appearances, including a minor role in “EastEnders” in 1994 and a part in Channel 4’s “Teachers” in 2001. Her breakthrough arrived in 2005 when she joined the cast of the BBC soap opera “EastEnders” as Dawn Swann, a role she held for four years. A significant career highlight was winning the eighth series of “Strictly Come Dancing” in 2010, where she showcased her dancing abilities. She has also made a notable impact in theatre, starring as Eliza Doolittle in the West End production of “Pygmalion” in 2011 and taking on roles in plays like “Absent Friends” and “Relatively Speaking”. Further television work includes appearances in “Mr Selfridge” and “The Halcyon”.
Kara Tointon has been quite vocal about her experience with dyslexia and has created a documentary that explored the condition. She became engaged to Norwegian chiropractor Marius Jensen in 2018 and they have two sons, Frey and Helly. While it was reported the couple separated in 2022, Tointon has shared that she now resides in Norway with her children, embracing the Scandinavian lifestyle.
In May 2025, Tointon disclosed that she underwent a double mastectomy. This preventative surgery was performed after she learned she possessed the BRCA1 gene mutation, which significantly elevates the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer.
Suggested viewing
The Halcyon (2017)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4
“The Halcyon” is a drama series set in 1940, during World War II. It follows the lives of the guests, staff and owners of a five-star hotel in London, the Halcyon, as they face the challenges and dangers of wartime. The series explores themes of love, loss, betrayal and survival as characters from different backgrounds and social classes come together in the face of adversity.
Top cast: Steven Mackintosh, Olivia Williams, Hermione Corfield, Matt Ryan, Kara Tointon, Alex Jennings, Mark Benton, Sope Dirisu.
Mr Selfridge (2013)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7
“Mr Selfridge” is a period drama television series that tells the story of Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of the famous London department store Selfridges. Set in the early 1900s, the series follows Selfridge as he creates a revolutionary shopping experience and tackles the challenges of running a successful business.
Top cast: Jeremy Piven, Frances O’Connor, Aisling Loftus, Katherine Kelly, Grégory Fitoussi, Trystan Gravelle, Amanda Abbington, Tom Goodman-Hill, Kara Tointon.
