Bonnie Langford's famous actress niece who starred in Hollyoaks and Casualty

TV icon Bonnie Langford isn’t the only star in her family — her niece, Summer Strallen, has built a huge career of her own across British soaps and the West End stage, and fans are only just realising the pair are related. Summer, 38, starred in Hollyoaks from 2007 to 2008 as Summer Shaw, a glamorous dance teacher and love interest to Calvin Valentine. The appearance was part of a strategic cross-promotion ahead of her takeover as Maria in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Sound of Music.

She later landed a regular role on Casualty from 2016 to 2017, playing kind-hearted nurse Delia Summers. But it’s on stage where she’s made the biggest impact, with lead roles in Top Hat, Young Frankenstein, The Boy Friend, and Cats. She also played Meg Giry in Love Never Dies, the sequel to Phantom of the Opera, earning critical praise and one of her four Olivier Award nominations.

Born into a family of performers, Summer is the daughter of Cherida Langford, Bonnie’s sister. Her siblings — Scarlett, Zizi, and Saskia Strallen — are all performers too, making them one of the UK’s most theatrical families.

Speaking to Official London Theatre, Summer said: “As much as everyone would love there to be, there is no sibling rivalry. I think [Scarlett] is one of the best performers in the world.”

She also recalled a cheeky moment during Cats: “I bought [an usher] a drink after the performance and he seemed to have recovered,” she joked, after accidentally nuzzling him during a performance.

Despite her early start in the industry, Summer has spoken openly about the need to take a break. “I’ve been on show all my life. I needed a bit of downtime and isolation,” she told The Stage when discussing life during lockdown.

Reflecting on handling high-profile roles, she added: “It’s not any different… you put your heart and soul into anything you do. I think the only thing that’s different is the pressure.”

Meanwhile, Bonnie, 60, has made a triumphant return to Doctor Who as Mel Bush, rejoining the TARDIS team alongside Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor in the 2025 series following her appearance in the 60th anniversary special, The Giggle.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Bonnie reflected: “It was a whole different world … It was like being in a Marvel Avengers movie.”

She also welcomed the evolution of her character since the 1980s, adding: “When I played Mel in the ’80s, I just used to run about and scream at monsters … I felt I couldn’t find my place at all.”

Now, she’s embracing a more empowered version of Mel and thrilled to be part of the show’s future. Fans have praised her updated role, calling it a “full-circle moment” and a “brilliant blend of nostalgia and progress.”