Clay Milner Russell

Barnaby Clay Milner Russell (born 25 July 1999) is an English actor, known for playing Bobby Beale on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2019 to 2024.

Clay Milner Russell
Milner Russell in 2023
Born	Barnaby Clay Milner Russell (1999-07-25) 25 July 1999 (age 24) Tower Hamlets, London, England
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2013–present
Television	EastEnders

Life and career

Barnaby Clay Milner Russell was born on 25 July 1999 in Tower Hamlets, London, England.^[1][2][3][4] He began his acting career in 2013 when he appeared in the short film The Parachutist.^[1] In 2016, he starred in the short film Graffiti as Archie, a boy who is struggling to deal with the loss of his father and uses graffiti to reconnect with his mother. In 2019, Russell appeared in the film County Lines as Bailey.^[5][6]

In June 2019, Russell was announced to be joining the cast of the BBC soap opera EastEnders as the fifth actor to take on the role of Bobby Beale.^[7][8] His first scenes aired on 13 June 2019 when the character is released from prison following the murder of his sister, Lucy Beale (Hetti Bywater).^[9][10][11] Some of his key storylines as Bobby have included the character converting to Islam and subsequently becoming the victim of a racial attack, suffering from OCD, his infatuation with Dotty Cotton (Milly Zero), his relationship with Dana Monroe (Barbara Smith) and his friendship with Freddie Slater (Bobby Brazier).^{[12][13][14][15][16][17]} For his portrayal of Bobby, Russell was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Inside Soap Awards in 2020.^[18][19][20] In April 2024, it was reported that Russell would be leaving Eastenders after 5 years in the role.^[21]

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2013	The Parachutist	Unknown	Short film	^[1]
2016	Graffiti	Archie	Short film	^[1]
2019	County Lines	Bailey	Film role	^[5]
2019–2024	EastEnders	Bobby Beale	Regular role	^[7]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result	Ref.
2020	Inside Soap Awards	Best Newcomer	EastEnders	Nominated	^[18]

References

1. "EastEnders recasts Bobby Beale: who is new actor Clay Milner Russell?". Radio Times. 14 June 2019. from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
2. "EastEnders' Bobby Beale star Clay Milner Russell's life off screen including cast member bromance". OK!. 2 August 2023. from the original on 3 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
3. "Who is Bobby Beale in EastEnders? Who is his mum and how did he kill sister Lucy Beale?". Entertainment Daily. from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
4. "EastEnders co-stars Barbara Smith and Clay Milner Russell look close on stroll off-set". Daily Mirror. 27 July 2021. from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
5. "'County Lines' review: an honest telling of the harsh world that feeds our addictions". NME. from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
6. "County Lines review: 'Grim, gritty, and powerfully relevant' British drama". Daily Mirror. 3 December 2020. from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
7. Dainty, Sophie (3 June 2019). "EastEnders reveals Bobby Beale return details as Clay Milner Russell takes over role". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
8. "EastEnders stars Bobby Brazier and Clay Milner Russell discuss real-life bromance". Metro. from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
9. "Who is EastEnders' Bobby Beale again and why has he been recast?". Digital Spy. from the original on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
10. "EastEnders spoiler: Bobby Beale makes his big return". Digital Spy. 13 June 2019. from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
11. "All you need to know about Bobby Beale's shock return to EastEnders". Digital Spy. 21 June 2019. from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
12. "EastEnders' Bobby Beale is attacked after visiting the Queen Vic — but who did it?". Digital Spy. 24 June 2019. from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
13. "Screen kisses: why actors are now snogging mannequins, mirrors and their own lovers on set". The Guardian. 9 September 2020. from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
14. "EastEnders is lining up a shock collapse for Bobby Beale later this month". Digital Spy. 18 April 2020. from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
15. "EastEnders confirms reunion for Bobby Beale and Dana Monroe". Digital Spy. 7 October 2021. from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
16. "EastEnders' Bobby Beale to explore the Islamic faith in new storyline". Digital Spy. 11 July 2019. from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
17. "Bobby Beale converts to Islam as EastEnders aims to "challenge preconceptions and prejudices" of Muslim faith". Radio Times. 12 July 2019. from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
18. "The stars of EastEnders want YOUR your votes in the Inside Soap Awards!". Inside Soap Awards. from the original on 25 June 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
19. "Inside Soap Awards reveals full longlist for 2020's ceremony". Digital Spy. 15 September 2020. from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
20. "EastEnders review — soap opera's return takes us behind the screens". 8 September 2020. from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
21. "EastEnders star Clay Milner Russell leaving Bobby Beale role". Digital Spy. 15 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.

External links

• Clay Milner Russell at IMDb