Who is Bella Maclean? Actress who plays Rivals’ Taggie O’Hara and Jem in Netflix’s Sex Education

BELLA Maclean's acting career has already included some big TV credits.

You may recognise her from Netflix's Sex Education as well as now starring in Disney + show Rivals. Here's everything you need to know about the rising star.

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Bella spent the first 10 years of her life in New York where her parents worked.

However, they then moved back to the UK which is where Bella's acting career began as she landed herself a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

It was in her last year at the school that she managed to get her foot in the door of the acting world.

Acting roles

Before leaving college, Bella was due to star in the musical Spring Awakening at the Almeida Theatre in London.

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However, the coronavirus pandemic meant that just some of the shows were able to go ahead.

She already had some film experience before she graduated in 2020 as she starred in two short films while she studied.

Bella appeared in Silent Witness as Sara Mendes in series 26 where she played the sister of Fiona.

Breakout role

Bella's arguably biggest role to date is in the final season of Netflix's Sex Education as Jem.

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Jem was employed at her father's farm where she taught horse riding to children and developed a friendship and relationship with Adam.

Bella's latest role is starring in Disney + show Rivals.

Having been dubbed one of the raciest shows on TV, Bella takes on the character of Taggie who is the eldest daughter of Declan and Maud.

The eight part series is based on a Dame Jilly Cooper book.

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Despite just being 20, Taggie appears to be the most responsible member of the O'Hara family as she wants to have her own catering business and to find her ideal romantic partner.

Life away from fame

Bella is currently living in West London so she can be closer to acting opportunities.

She revealed in October 2024 to the Standard that many people have been getting her age wrong.

She said that it is often reported that she is 23 but she is actually 26 years old.

"I don't know where anyone got that from, even people in the cast keep saying that after reading it online. I'm 26," Bella confirmed.

Sex Education cast

Who was in the main cast of Sex Education?

• Asa Butterfield - Otis Milburn
• Gillian Anderson - Jean Milburn
• Ncuti Gatwa - Eric Effiong
• Emma Mackey - Maeve Wiley
• Aimee Lou Wood - Aimee Gibbs
• Connor Swindells - Adam Groff
• Kedar Williams-Stirling - Jackson Marchetti
• Alistair Petrie - Michael Groff
• Mimi Keene - Ruby Matthews
• James Purefoy as Remi Milburn (series 1-2)
• Chaneil Kular as Anwar Bakshi (series 1–3)
• Simone Ashley as Olivia Hanan (series 1–3)
• Tanya Reynolds as Lily Iglehart (series 1–3)
• Patricia Allison as Ola Nyman (series 1–3)
• Mikael Persbrandt as Jakob Nyman (series 1–3)
• Rakhee Thakrar as Emily Sands (series 1-4)
• Anne-Marie Duff as Erin Wiley (series 2–3)
• Jemima Kirke as Hope Haddon (series 3)