# April Pearson
**April Pearson** is an English actress, writer, and producer best known for originating the role of Michelle Richardson in the [Channel 4](https://www.edgepedia.org/channel-4) teen drama *[Skins](https://www.edgepedia.org/skins-british-tv-series)*, which she played in the show's first two series.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/) • [2](https://performerscollege.ac.uk/lecturers/april-pearson/) Born in 1989 in Bristol, England, she later moved into independent film, stage work, and teaching.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/) • [2](https://performerscollege.ac.uk/lecturers/april-pearson/) Her full birth name is April Janet Pearson.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1989, Bristol, England, UK[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/) |
| Signature role | Michelle Richardson in *Skins* (E4), first two series[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/) |
| Film debut | *Tormented* (2009), playing Tasha, with Larissa Wilson and Alex Pettyfer[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/) |
| Highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes | *Tucked* (2018), 95% critic score[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/april_pearson) |
| Teaching | Senior Lecturer at Performers College Brighton, teaching screen acting[2](https://performerscollege.ac.uk/lecturers/april-pearson/) |
| Production | Co-director of the Brighton-based company Jump Start Productions[2](https://performerscollege.ac.uk/lecturers/april-pearson/) |
## Early work
Pearson began performing as a child, joining a Bristol theater group at age 3.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/) Her television debut came at nine, in an episode of the medical series *Casualty* in 1998.[4](https://www.netflixmovies.com/s/actor/april-pearson)
## Skins and Michelle Richardson
*Skins*, which launched in January 2007, drew controversy and a large teenage audience for its explicit depiction of sex and drug use.[5](https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/where-are-skins-female-cast-now) Pearson played Michelle Richardson in the first two series and also appeared as her character in segments on the show's official website.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/) • [6](https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/films/img/epk/Press_Kit_Tucked_080318.pdf) The series became known as a launchpad for young British actors, with several of her co-stars going on to prominent international careers.[5](https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/where-are-skins-female-cast-now)
In later interviews Pearson described the costs of the role. She said that after *Skins*, agents were not interested in meeting her and auditions dried up, and that acquaintances would ask "Didn't you used to be famous?" or "Weren't you Michelle from Skins?"[5](https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/where-are-skins-female-cast-now) She also described feeling "very exposed" during the show's sex scenes, which she performed as a teenager.[5](https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/where-are-skins-female-cast-now) Since leaving the show she has hosted the podcast *Are You Michelle from Skins?*, which she used for a recorded conversation with her fellow *Skins* alumna Laya Lewis about their experiences on the series.[7](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kaya-scodelario-just-revealed-she-131452983.html)
## Film and television career
Her feature debut came in Jon Wright's comedy horror *Tormented* (2009), alongside her *Skins* co-star Larissa Wilson and [Alex Pettyfer](https://www.edgepedia.org/alex-pettyfer); she played a sadistic schoolgirl, and *Total Film* called the film "A slasher for the Skins generation".[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/) Subsequent film credits include *Age of Kill* (2015), *Tank 432* (2016), *Caught* (2017), *Dark Beacon* (2017), and *The Kindred* (2021), on which she also served as executive producer; her highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes is *Tucked* (2018) at 95 percent from critics, and her lowest is *Age of Kill* at 0 percent.[3](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/april_pearson) On television she appeared in the second episode of the 2018 sci-fi drama *Kiss Me First*, created by *Skins* co-creator Bryan Elsley, as a housemate.[8](https://tollbit.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-04-02/kiss-me-first-review-skins-meets-ready-player-one/)
Outside acting she appeared in the music video for [The Wombats](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-wombats)' single "Greek Tragedy".[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/) • [6](https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/films/img/epk/Press_Kit_Tucked_080318.pdf)
## Writing, producing, and teaching
Performers College describes Pearson as an award-winning actor, writer, and producer with more than 20 years of experience in film, television, and theater. She co-directs the Brighton-based production company Jump Start Productions and works across independent cinema and stage.[2](https://performerscollege.ac.uk/lecturers/april-pearson/) At Performers College Brighton she is a Senior Lecturer teaching screen acting, helping students develop camera-ready performances and prepare for sustainable creative careers.[2](https://performerscollege.ac.uk/lecturers/april-pearson/)
## Personal life
Pearson married Jamie Patterson, a filmmaker in whose work she frequently appears, in 2017, and the couple have one child.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/)
## References
1. [April Pearson – Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1535380/bio/)
2. [April Pearson – Senior Lecturer, Performers College](https://performerscollege.ac.uk/lecturers/april-pearson/)
3. [April Pearson – Rotten Tomatoes celebrity page](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/april_pearson)
4. [April Pearson Movies on Netflix, NetflixMovies.com](https://www.netflixmovies.com/s/actor/april-pearson)
5. [What Happened To The Women Of Skins?, GLAMOUR UK](https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/where-are-skins-female-cast-now)
6. [*Tucked* press kit, The Film Collaborative](https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/films/img/epk/Press_Kit_Tucked_080318.pdf)
7. [Kaya Scodelario on Skins sex scenes and the Are You Michelle from Skins? podcast, Yahoo Entertainment](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kaya-scodelario-just-revealed-she-131452983.html)
8. [Kiss Me First review: Skins meets Ready Player One, Radio Times](https://tollbit.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-04-02/kiss-me-first-review-skins-meets-ready-player-one/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › English actors: 2000s onward › Surnames N to P*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license