Tanya Fear missing: who is the Doctor Who star who was reported as missing in LA - and has she been found?

British actor Tanya Fear was reported as missing in Los Angeles last week, with her family saying that they were “deeply worried”.

This is what you need to know.

What happened?

After being reported as missing last week, a Twitter account created by Fear’s family, @FindTanyaFear, released a statement on Monday 13 September which said: “The family of Tanya Fear are asking the Los Angeles Police Department to investigate the disappearance of the British actor.

“Tanya Fear left her Hollywood Bowl apartment on Thursday the 9th of September without her cell phone and purse. She was reported missing by a friend.

“After Tanya’s family in the UK contacted the UK Foreign Office, a local LAPD police officer was deployed to visit Tanya’s house but the actor was not home. She was last seen by friends on Thursday 9 September 2021 at 10pm LA time.”

Fear’s uncle, said: “We are deeply worried about Tanya’s whereabouts, she is a bubbly, intelligent young woman who studied at Christ Hospital Boarding School and Kings College University in London.”

Her mother added: “I am devastated about this situation, and I appeal to anyone with information to please come forward to bring our daughter back home safely.”

When media outlets initially started reporting the news that Fear had been found, the FindTanyaFear Twitter account said that they had “not received such verification” at the time.

Shortly after the Twitter account posted a new update, writing: “Tanya Fear Found. Hi everyone. Our family is overjoyed and relieved to confirm that Tanya has been found.

“A family friend is currently with her. As a family and members of Tanya’s circle we would love to thank the LA community for their active efforts on the ground looking for her.

“To the global community we want to thank you for sharing her image, posters and story. Together we have our girl back. Thank you.”

In an additional update from the account, it said that, to their understanding, Fear was “not physically harmed, but as a precaution, is being assessed at a local hospital”.

Who is Tanya Fear?

Fear is a British actor who you might recognise from her roles like Harlow in Kick-Ass 2, Melanie Thomas in DCI Banks, Claire Wiseman in Spotless, Jasmine Grenouille in Endeavour and Dr Jade McIntyre in Doctor Who.

She is also a writer and director as well, and is currently working on a series of three short romantic comedy films looking at love during the pandemic, called Shoot Your Shot, Shoot Your Shot 2: An International Affair and Shoot Your Shot 3: The Wedding.

In 2019, she was included on the BAFTA Los Angeles list of 25 Rising Stars.

Fear also does stand up comedy as well, and recently performed at the Ha Ha Comedy Club at the end of August.

She was born on 29 December 1989 in the UK, to English father Andrew Fear and Zimbabwean mother Yvonne Zolisa Marimo.

Following in the footsteps of Thandiwe Newton, who was formerly known professionally as Thandie Newton, Fear announced earlier this year that she too would be reclaiming her full name Tanyaradzwa.

In the Shona language, the name means “we have been comforted”.

In an interview with GQ, Fear said: “It’s an exciting moment to embrace my full name publicly. I have always felt pride in this side of my culture: after all, I have a strong Zimbabwean mother who inspires me.

“I feel very privileged to be spreading the message of cultural pride, it’s been an honour receiving so much support from people all over the world.”

A message from the editor: Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going. You can also sign up to our newsletters and get a curated selection of our best reads to your inbox every day.