Scarlett Thomas’ projected earnings may mean that it doesn’t matter she skipped her GCSE exams this summer after pursuing a career in acting.
The rising star, 16, first appeared on TV screens back in 2023 in BBC drama Waterloo Road playing Izzy – the daughter of her real life uncle Adam Thomas.
Her famous family connections don’t end there, as her father is Corrie star Ryan Thomas and her mother is his former co-star Tina O’Brien, 41, while her other uncle is Love Island’s Scott Thomas.
However despite her blossoming acting career, her dad Ryan previously insisted his ‘nepo baby’ daughter is ‘not getting a free ride’.
As well as making waves in on screens she also has a prominent social media presence too and is predicted to earn up to £2million before her 18th birthday.
One the youngster’s recent TikToks bagged nearly three million views and she has amassed over 204,000 followers on the site, with a further 142,000 fans over on Instagram – with both accounts launched when she turned 16 last October.
Scarlett Thomas’ projected earnings may mean that it doesn’t matter she skipped her GCSE exams this summer after pursuing a career in acting
Her famous family connections don’t end there, as her father is Corrie star Ryan Thomas and her mother is his former co-star Tina O’Brien , 41, while her other uncle is Love Island’s Scott Thomas
Pictured with her mother Tina O’Brien at the British Soap Awards in May 2025
As well as her own, she regularly appears on her parents’ social medias, with the Thomas family also having their own account.
This includes her famous uncles as well as Ryan’s former TOWIE star fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh.
PR expert Lynn Carratt told the publication: ‘It’s clear they’re a close-knit family who understand how to use social media effectively to build their careers. They capitalise on TikTok trends, and each member is talented in their own right.’
She added that from a PR perspective, the family’s TikTok videos are an ‘excellent platform’ for displaying their talent to a ‘huge audience’.
She went on: ‘Teddy is clearly talented, and it seems the children in the family will follow in their fathers’ footsteps. Scarlett often appears in videos with her dad and uncles, showcasing her singing and acting skills. With both parents in TV, their talent has clearly rubbed off on Scarlett. She comes across as a confident and likeable girl who is close to her family.
Lynn added: ‘The Thomas family videos are strategically leveraging each other’s personalities and showcasing their talents to millions daily.
‘This approach is garnering them even more attention than traditional TV appearances and is creating numerous career opportunities for the entire family.
‘I believe Scarlett and her younger cousin Teddy are poised for fabulous opportunities in the entertainment industry, and I can see Scarlett potentially joining a girl band as she gets older.’
The rising star, 16, first appeared on TV screens back in 2023 in BBC drama Waterloo Road playing Izzy – the daughter of her real life uncle Adam Thomas
Speaking in an interview with The Sun, Ryan previously defended his daughter’s start in the industry and claimed she wasn’t at an unfair advantage.
He said: ‘Everyone thinks she gets a lift up from family, getting on Waterloo Road.
‘But she worked damn hard to get that job, and people need to recognise that she’s a talented girl – she’s up against other people and she’s not getting a free ride.’
He added: ‘She has to go through the same process as everyone else – it was between her and somebody else. It wasn’t like, ‘This is a Thomas, she’s going to get this job”.
Scarlett has just revealed she did not sit her GCSEs and appeared to be feeling reflective this week as teens around the country received their results.
She has made it clear that she wants to follow in the footsteps of her famous parents into the entertainment industry and has a passion for acting and singing.
While most young people in England do sit GCSEs, they are not a legal requirement under the Education Act of 1996. Students can choose to pursue other qualifications or leave formal education at 16.
However, not having GCSEs can limit your options later on in terms of further education – such as college or university.
Scarlett was clearly feeling reflective this week as teenagers around the country received their results
Fans of the teen actress were shocked to discover that she hadn’t sat her milestone GCSEs and many questioned why she chose not to get any qualifications
Many employers require a English and Maths at grade 4/C or above when considering potential employees for a job.
But with Scarlett’s acting career going from to strength she may be relying on the fact that she never needs traditional employment.
Her first TV appearance was in 2023 with a role in Waterloo Road – one of several shows that made her uncle Adam, 37, a household name.
Reflecting on not receiving any results herself, she said: ‘Watching everyone get their GCSE results today wondering if I could’ve had good results but I will forever wonder.’
She added in the caption with two red heart emojis: ‘Well done everyone you all should be beyond proud whatever results you got [sic].’
Fans of the teen actress were shocked to discover that she hadn’t sat her milestone GCSEs and many questioned why she chose not to get any qualifications.
Others, however, stressed that school exams do not define a person or their ability to succeed in life.
Viewers wrote: ‘Why did u not do them or something?”
Speaking in an interview with The Sun , Adam said: ‘Everyone thinks she gets a lift up from family, getting on Waterloo Road. ‘But she worked damn hard to get that job’ (pictured with his brothers Adam and Scott)
‘Two years on since mine and they really do not define your future at all. You’ll forever wonder but God had a different plan for you xx’;
‘Proud of you anyways no matter what you are so talented and doing amazing things already you are going to go so far!!’
‘it’s okay Scarlett, we’re all still proud of you with or without grades, they don’t define you as a person xx [sic]’
At the age of 14, the budding actress was quickly snapped up for her first major role on screen, winning the part of Izzie Charles in the BBC drama Waterloo Road.
During her stint on the series, Scarlett starred alongside her uncle, former Emmerdale star Adam.
He played her on-screen father, Donte, while his son Teddy, 10, who he shares with his wife Caroline Thomas, played his on-screen son.
Scarlett recently clapped back at ‘nepo baby’ claims in a video posted on social media.
Taking to TikTok, Scarlett shared a carefree video of herself in the passenger seat of a convertible as she lip-synced to the 1977 hit Easy by Commodores.
In the clip, she donned oversized sunglasses, gold hoop earrings, and a brown off-the-shoulder jumper.
Alongside the short video, Scarlett addressed a frequent comment from online trolls: ‘You only got these opportunities because of your family.’
Scarlett recently clapped back at ‘ nepo baby ‘ claims in a video posted on social media
Taking to TikTok , Scarlett shared a carefree video of herself in the passenger seat of a convertible as she lip-synced to the 1977 hit Easy by Commodores
Coronation Street legend Tina and Scott both pictured in 2007
But the young soap star was quick to hit back at critics who question or undermine her achievements.
Scarlett wrote on top of the clip: ‘God forbid a girl takes the chances she gets.’
While former couple Tina and Ryan have made a name for themselves on the small screen, it appears they may well be outshone by their rising star daughter as she forges a flourishing career.
The Sun reports that while Ryan and Tina have had tensions in the past, they’ve come together in strong support of their daughter, with a source noting the family have ‘huge plans’ for Scarlett (as well as her cousin Teddy) and ‘spend hours’ deliberating the best steps for their career.
