Missy Booth

Missy Booth is a fictional character from the Channel 4 school drama Ackley Bridge, portrayed by Poppy Lee Friar.

Friar received praise from critics for her portrayal of the character, whose storylines included her grandmother's death, her sister being taken into foster care and getting an abortion.

Missy's final scenes see her die after being hit by a car; fans have voiced their disappointment in her death, with many stating that the series has not been the same since her departure.

Despite this, they felt that her death allowed for numerous powerful storylines to commence, such as Nasreen's grief and the students of the fictional school mourning for her.

Critics were disappointed to see her departure from the series, but commended the "bold decision" to kill a centric character.

[4] Missy is introduced alongside lifelong best friend Nasreen Paracha (Amy-Leigh Hickman), when the pair are drinking cider on a sofa inside a skip on their street.

Nasreen's friend Alya Nawaz (Maariah Hussain) immediately disapproves of Missy due to the way she talks and dresses.

When Missy confronts her and exposes her for drinking, the pair fight and are taken in to see headteacher Mandy Carter (Jo Joyner), who gives them a formal warning.

Teacher Emma Keane (Liz White) finds out and reports Julie's death to the social board, who put Hayley into foster care.

Upset that she cannot attend drama class, Missy quits school and begins working in a food truck to earn money.

The pair eventually make up with each other and while walking home, they are hit by a speeding car driven by Anwar Wazir (Antonio Aakeel).

[2] Radio Times stated that Missy has had "a pretty tough start in life" as a result of looking after her mother and sister and dealing with the death of her grandmother.

To combat the cold weather, the pair of actresses hid hot water bottles inside of their outfits, which they found hilarious.

[2] Co-star Hickman echoed this when she stated that their onscreen spark is owed to her friendship with Friar in real life, adding that they make each other laugh between takes.

Friar was grateful to have played "a rich character" who she found "fun, emotional, witty, sassy, strong, loving and lovable".

[6] Friar found filming her last scenes emotional, which she accredited to leaving her "onset family" who she had grown close to over the three years.

[7] Hickman found it hard to film her final scenes with Friar, she explained that it "felt a little close to the bone because it really was the end of Missy and Nas".

[10] Rianne Houghton of Digital Spy praised Friar for her performance during the teenage pregnancy storyline in series two, as well as the portrayal of "supportive female friendships".