1. Overview
Freya Tingley is an Australian actress known for her significant roles across both television and film. She gained international recognition for her portrayal of Christina Wendall in the Netflix series Hemlock Grove, Wendy Darling in the ABC fantasy series Once Upon a Time, and Francine Valli in Clint Eastwood's biographical musical drama Jersey Boys. Beyond her acting career, Tingley is also publicly recognized for her personal beliefs and her involvement in human rights advocacy.
2. Early Life and Background
Freya Tingley's early life in Western Australia provided the foundation for her later career, marking the beginnings of her artistic inclinations before she embarked on her professional acting journey.
2.1. Early Life
Freya Tingley was born on March 26, 1994, in Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
3. Career
Tingley's professional journey began in theatre before she transitioned to film and television, building a diverse portfolio of roles that brought her increasing prominence.
3.1. Early Roles and Breakthrough
Tingley's first acting engagement was in 2008, portraying Young Joan in Caryl Churchill's play Far Away with The Black Swan Theatre Company. Following her stage debut, she appeared in several short films, including Bootleg and Light as a Feather, the latter featuring a singing role under the direction of Damien Spiccia. She also contributed three voice-overs for the production Bully for You and appeared in the film X, directed by Jon Hewitt. A notable early television role was her supporting appearance as Young Hat Lamb in the miniseries Cloudstreet, an adaptation of Tim Winton's acclaimed novel. In 2011, she took on the lead role of a deaf girl named Eleanor in the short film Beneath the Waves, directed by Renee Marie. In the same year, Tingley was also shortlisted for the highly sought-after lead role of Katniss Everdeen in Lionsgate's film The Hunger Games.
3.2. Major Television and Film Roles
In 2012, Tingley's career saw a significant advancement when she was cast as Christina Wendall in Hemlock Grove, the Netflix series produced by Eli Roth, where she became a series regular in its first season. The following year, in 2013, Tingley was cast in the popular ABC series Once Upon a Time, portraying Wendy, a 13-year-old character inspired by Wendy Darling from the novel Peter Pan. She secured the role after a single audition, impressing producers with her convincing British accent. Her character, Wendy, appeared in five episodes, playing a crucial part in Peter Pan (Robbie Kay)'s attempts to gain Henry Mills' heart, before ultimately being reunited with her family.
In 2014, Tingley took on a lead role in The Choking Game, a television film produced for Lifetime. Her film career continued to expand with her portrayal of Francine Valli, the daughter of Frankie Valli, in Jersey Boys, a film directed by esteemed filmmaker Clint Eastwood. Her performance as Francine Valli at 17 years old was a notable part of the film.
Tingley further diversified her roles by starring in the 2016 television series The Wilding and the film No Way to Live. No Way to Live explores the story of an interracial teenage couple in the 1950s who resort to robbery and theft to escape their oppressive hometown. She also appeared in the 2017 TV film The Wrong Nanny, playing the character Blake. Her subsequent film credits include Spinning Man and The Sonata, both released in 2018. In The Sonata, she played the role of Rose. More recently, she has appeared in films such as Bad Detectives (2021) as Nic O'Connell and Time Addicts (2023) as Denise. Tingley also lent her voice to the web series Dota: Dragon's Blood in 2021, voicing the characters Fymryn and Light Moon Goddess Mene reborn.
4. Personal Life
Freya Tingley's personal life includes her publicly known beliefs and social engagements. She is a member of the Church of Scientology, a connection she embraced as an adult, stating that she first read Dianetics when she was 21 years old. She is also the daughter of a prominent Scientologist.
In a demonstration of her commitment to social causes, Tingley was selected as an Australian representative and youth delegate for the 17th Annual Youth for Human Rights Summit. This significant event was held at the United Nations building in New York City in July 2023, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Her participation underscored her dedication to advocating for human rights on an international platform.
5. Filmography
Freya Tingley has accumulated a diverse range of acting credits across film and television throughout her career.
5.1. Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Bootleg | Sarah | Short film |
| 2010 | Light as a Feather | Sophie | Short film |
| 2011 | X: Night of Vengeance | Cindy | |
| 2011 | Beneath the Waves | Eleanor | Short film |
| 2012 | Sticks and Stones | Zoe | Short film |
| 2014 | Swelter | London | |
| 2014 | Jersey Boys | Francine Valli | |
| 2014 | The Choking Game | Taryn | |
| 2016 | No Way To Live | Nora Thompson | |
| 2016 | The Disembodied | Jennifer | Short film |
| 2017 | The Young | Diana | |
| 2018 | Spinning Man | Mary | |
| 2018 | The Sonata | Rose | |
| 2021 | Bad Detectives | Nic O'Connell | |
| 2023 | Time Addicts | Denise |
5.2. Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Cloudstreet | Hat Lamb | Parts 1 and 2 |
| 2013 | Hemlock Grove | Christina Wendall | Season 1 (series regular) |
| 2013 | Once Upon a Time | Wendy Darling | Recurring role, 5 episodes: "Second Star to the Right", "Dark Hollow", "Think Lovely Thoughts", "Save Henry", "The New Neverland" |
| 2013 | Fashion Police | Herself | 1 episode |
| 2014 | R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour | Karen | "Return of the Pumpkinheads" (Season 4, Episode 5) |
| 2017 | The Wrong Nanny | Blake | TV film |
| 2021 | Dota: Dragon's Blood | Fymryn & Light Moon Goddess Mene reborn | Web series; voice role |
6. Public Image and Reception
Freya Tingley's public image is primarily shaped by her consistent work in significant film and television productions, which include her roles in popular series like Hemlock Grove and Once Upon a Time, as well as high-profile films such as Jersey Boys. These roles have established her as a recognizable actress. Beyond her professional achievements, her public persona also incorporates her open affiliation with the Church of Scientology and, notably, her engagement in human rights advocacy. Her participation as an Australian youth delegate at the United Nations' Youth for Human Rights Summit highlights her commitment to social issues, contributing to a public image that extends beyond her acting career to encompass a dimension of civic engagement.