Frances Sholto-Douglas

Frances Claire Sholto-Douglas (born 16 May 1996) is a South African actress who has quickly become a recognizable face in both domestic and international productions. Raised in Cape Town, she grew up in a family with a sister named Elsie and displayed an early passion for the performing arts, enrolling at the Cape Academy of Performing Arts where she honed her acting and dancing techniques. After completing her secondary training, she earned a degree in Theatre and Performance from the University of Cape Town, a milestone that provided her with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience on stage. Sholto‑Douglas made her on‑screen debut in 2015, but her first notable television role came the following year when she portrayed Lori Carter in the true‑crime TV film Dating Game Killer, showcasing her ability to combine dramatic intensity with nuanced emotion. In 2018 she broke into feature films, taking on the role of Taren in Samson and, more prominently, Vivian in the Netflix teen romance The Kissing Booth, a part she had auditioned for in 2016. Her performance resonated with a global audience, leading to reprises of Vivian in the sequels released in 2020 and 2021, cementing her status as a staple of contemporary youth‑centered cinema. Beyond romance, she expanded her genre range by appearing in the Black Mirror episode “Rachel, Jack and Ashley Too” and the historical miniseries Troy: Fall of a City, demonstrating versatility across sci‑fi, drama, and period pieces. The 2021 horror remake Slumber Party Massacre saw her embody Maeve, further proving her adaptability to darker themes. Most recently, Sholto‑Douglas starred as Laura in the Netflix series Fatal Seduction (2023) and continued her stage work with productions such as Earworm and Delela at the Baxter Theatre Centre, illustrating a commitment to both screen and live performance. Her rapid ascent, marked by a blend of formal education, diverse roles, and a strong South African heritage, suggests a promising trajectory in the global entertainment industry.