Harriet Cains was born on September 17, 1993, in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. She is a British actress known for her roles in various television series.

Harriet Cains began her acting journey at a drama club called Circle Up, where she trained for three years before moving on to The Television Workshop. This early training helped her secure roles in short films and television series.

Her career took off when she was cast as Jem Walker in the BBC Three series In the Flesh, which aired from 2013 to 2014. Her portrayal of Jem Walker, a character dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, was well-received and showcased her acting skills.

To prepare for this role, she watched documentaries about PTSD and spoke with people who had experienced it to ensure a realistic portrayal.

In 2015, she appeared as Louisa Blackwell in the television series Safe House. She continued to take on various supporting roles in series such as Vera, Line of Duty, and Marcella. Her versatility as an actress allowed her to play different characters, from a crime series to a psychological thriller.

Harriet Cains gained widespread recognition for her role as Philippa Featherington in the Netflix period drama Bridgerton, which premiered in 2020. Her performance in Bridgerton brought her international fame and solidified her status as a talented actress. She has also appeared in other projects like Urban Myths and The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself.

Her family background and personal life remain relatively private. She prefers to keep her personal information away from the public eye. Despite her rising fame, she maintains a low profile and focuses on her acting career.

Throughout her career, she has received recognition for her performances. She won the European Competition: Female Interpretation award at the European Short Film Festival of Nice in 2018 for her role in the short film Mercury.

Moreover, she was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for her work in Bridgerton.