Nicola Kathleen Stapleton (born 9 August 1974 in Elephant and Castle, London) is an English actress. A graduate of the Sylvia Young Theatre School, Stapleton began her career at an early age, appearing in films such as Hansel and Grettel and on television in the children's show Simon and the Witch in 1987. In 1992, she secured a high-profile role on British television as Mandy Salter in BBC's EastEnders. Stapleton quit the role in 1994 but returned to the role after 17 years in 2011.