There’s a certain curiosity that comes when a child star you’ve watched for years suddenly steps into the spotlight for something entirely new—usually a red carpet, a dance floor, or a headline about who they’re dating. Maisie Smith, the young actress who grew up on Albert Square as Tiffany Butcher, has done all three and more. This piece traces her journey from EastEnders to Strictly Come Dancing, her relationship with singer Max George, and where she’s focusing her energy now.

Born: 9 July 2001 ·
Occupation: Actress and singer ·
Known for: EastEnders (Tiffany Butcher), Strictly Come Dancing ·
Instagram followers: 986K ·
TikTok followers: 2.6M

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Five key facts that define Maisie Smith’s profile, one pattern: a career that started early and keeps expanding.

The facts below show a consistent trajectory from childhood success to adult reinvention.

Label Value
Full Name Maisie Louise Collender Smith (Wikipedia)
Date of Birth 9 July 2001 (Wikipedia)
Occupation Actress, singer (Wikipedia)
Known For EastEnders (Tiffany Butcher) (Wikipedia)
Partner Max George (as of 2024) (Evening Standard (London news outlet))
The upshot

Maisie Smith’s public image has always been tied to two things: the long-running BBC soap that made her a household name, and a high-profile relationship that brought her mainstream tabloid attention. Yet her career ambitions clearly point toward stage and screen work far beyond Albert Square.

Are Maisie Smith and Max still together?

Who is Max George?

  • Max George is a singer best known as a member of British boyband The Wanted (The Sun (UK tabloid)).
  • The band scored multiple UK No. 1 singles including “Glad You Came” and remains popular on nostalgia tours.
  • George also competed on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing, where he first crossed paths with Smith (Manchester Evening News (regional news outlet)).

When did Maisie Smith and Max George start dating?

  • Maisie Smith and Max George first met on the set of Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 (The Sun).
  • Their romance was widely reported to have developed after the Strictly Come Dancing live arena tour ended (Evening Standard (London news outlet)).
  • Max George made the relationship Instagram official on 4 September 2022 (Evening Standard (London news outlet)).
  • The pair were reported to have moved in together by late 2022 (Evening Standard (London news outlet)).
  • As of late 2024, multiple sources report they are still together, though neither has issued an official statement after summer 2024 (Evoke (Irish celebrity outlet)).
Bottom line: Maisie Smith and Max George began dating in 2023 after a two-year friendship. For fans following their journey, the relationship appears stable as of late 2024. For readers seeking an official confirmation from the couple themselves, none has been issued since mid-2024.

The implication: The couple’s strategic silence after summer 2024 suggests they are managing their private life away from social media scrutiny.

What is the age gap between Max George and Maisie Smith?

How old is Maisie Smith?

  • Maisie Smith was born on 9 July 2001 (Wikipedia).
  • She was 21 when her relationship with Max George became public in late 2022 (HELLO! (celebrity magazine)).

How old is Max George?

Two individuals, one clear difference: 12 years and 10 months separate their birth dates. The couple has publicly defended this age gap, with Smith stating she is a consenting adult and that critics do not know what happens behind closed doors (Evoke (Irish celebrity outlet)).

The pattern: For a couple that met through a shared professional experience (Strictly), the age gap became a focal point for tabloid coverage rather than a barrier in their personal lives. Fans questioning the difference have been met with direct pushback from both parties.

What is Maisie Smith doing now?

Current roles and projects

  • Maisie Smith is currently starring as Marge in the UK tour of “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (Hitched (wedding and celeb news)).
  • She is also set to play Audrey in an upcoming production.
  • Smith remains active on social media with 986K Instagram followers and 2.6M TikTok followers.

Recent appearances

  • Smith has made intermittent public appearances alongside Max George at events and red carpets.
  • She continues to post regular content to her Instagram and TikTok, documenting behind-the-scenes clips from her stage work and personal life.
Why this matters

Maisie Smith is making a deliberate shift from television to live theatre. For casting directors and agents watching, her choice of a demanding stage role signals she’s serious about her craft beyond soap fame. For fans, it means fewer TV appearances and more touring dates to catch her live.

Who is Maisie Smith?

Early life and upbringing

  • Maisie Louise Collender Smith was born on 9 July 2001 in England (Wikipedia).
  • She began acting at a young age, appearing in the 2008 film “The Other Boleyn Girl” (Wikipedia).
  • She identifies as she/her.

Education and training

  • Smith balanced her education with her acting career from a young age.
  • Her first major television role came when she was cast in EastEnders at approximately age seven (Hitched (wedding and celeb news)).

The pattern: Smith’s career trajectory mirrors that of many British child actors who transitioned through a long-running soap before branching into other genres. She joins a cohort of young women who started young and are now navigating adult careers in the public eye.

What is Maisie Smith’s career history?

EastEnders years

  • Maisie Smith played Tiffany Dean (later Tiffany Butcher) on EastEnders (Wikipedia).
  • She first appeared in EastEnders in 2008 at about age seven (Hitched (wedding and celeb news)).
  • Her character Tiffany Butcher became a fan favourite, involved in several major storylines including teen pregnancy and domestic abuse.
  • Smith left EastEnders in 2022 after 14 years on the show (Hitched (wedding and celeb news)).

Strictly Come Dancing

  • Maisie Smith competed on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing (The Sun).
  • She was partnered with professional dancer Gorka Márquez.
  • The couple reached the final and finished as runners-up.
  • Smith also participated in the Strictly Come Dancing live arena tour in 2022.

Other TV and film work

  • Her film credits include “The Other Boleyn Girl” (2008) and “The Talent and the Tour” (Wikipedia).
  • She has made appearances on various talk shows and panel programmes since leaving EastEnders.
The trade-off

Maisie Smith’s decision to leave EastEnders after 14 years was a calculated risk. Soap opera roles offer steady work and high visibility, but they also limit an actor’s ability to take on stage or film projects. For Smith, the move appears to be paying off with the lead in a national theatre tour.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Maisie Smith?

Maisie Smith was born on 9 July 2001, making her 23 years old as of 2024 (Wikipedia).

Where was Maisie Smith born?

Maisie Smith was born in England (Wikipedia).

What is Maisie Smith’s Instagram handle?

Her Instagram handle is @maisiesmithofficial, where she has 986K followers.

Has Maisie Smith won any awards?

Maisie Smith has not won major individual acting awards, though she was part of EastEnders’ ensemble cast during its award-winning years. She reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, finishing as a runner-up.

Does Maisie Smith have any siblings?

Maisie Smith has a younger sister, and her mother is a regular presence on her social media channels.

What is Maisie Smith’s height?

Maisie Smith’s height is reported as 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm).

Is Maisie Smith related to Maisie Williams?

No, Maisie Smith is not related to Maisie Williams (the Game of Thrones actress). They share a first name only.

For fans and followers of Maisie Smith, the choice is clear: watch her evolve from a familiar soap face into a legitimate stage actress, or risk missing her next chapter entirely. The theatre tour schedule is already set.