The charming holiday film The Holiday, directed by Nancy Meyers and released in 2006, has captured hearts across generations, but it's not just the adult stars who left their mark—child actress Miffy Englefield, who played adorably curly-haired Sophie, has also impacted fans with her endearing performance. Eighteen years later, Englefield reflects on her time on set with Hollywood icons like Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Cameron Diaz, and shares how her life has dramatically changed since then.
When The Holiday first graced the silver screen, it generated plenty of holiday cheer and comedic moments, particularly with the kids involved. Englefield, who played Law's daughter, was just six years old at the time of filming. Now, at 25, she has morphed from the innocent child star to a confident influencer with stark physical changes—she sports dark hair and bold fashion choices, quite different from her youthful appearance.
Reflecting on her child star days, Miffy Englefield noted, "I was a pretty unusual six-year-old. I was very quirky and very confident," during her conversation with MailOnline. She admitted, with charming candor, to not fully grasping the identity of those around her at the time, with her only familiarity being Jack Black due to his role in School of Rock. Englefield described filming as surreal, particularly when considering her humble roots—she recalled living with her father in municipal housing and feeling worlds away from the film set.
On set, Englefield vividly recalls her interactions with the star-studded cast. She fondly shared, "The cast were amazing... there's not really much to tell because they were all so lovely," highlighting Jude Law's kindness, patience, and his role as both her co-star and father within the film. She remarked how Black made her laugh on her first day, and described Winslet as ethereal and Diaz as simply gorgeous. Years later, she looks back on her experiences with warmth and gratitude.
Following her stint as Sophie, Englefield stepped away from acting to prioritize her mental well-being and family. She now lives with her partner, Alex Whivley-Conway, and their daughter, Frankie, born during the pandemic. Englefield reflected on her transition, saying, "I would love to go for auditions again," but acknowledged the difficulties she might face due to her new appearance, full of tattoos and body modifications.
Miffy Englefield's social media presence has allowed her to connect with fans old and new. She humorously shares aspects of motherhood and her former life as Sophie on TikTok, where she has accumulated over 74,000 followers. Among her most cherished conversations with fans is the nostalgia surrounding her role; she playfully recalls, "Receiving messages almost twenty years later makes me feel incredibly old," but admitted to loving the fondness with which audiences recall her character.
Her father has even created an extensive scrapbook comprising memories from the filming days, featuring audition emails, photographs, and even the original script, which included deleted scenes. Englefield shared one intriguing cut scene where her character's dad, played by Jude Law, visits a café—a glimpse many fans would have been thrilled to witness. "Here's a whole deleted scene we filmed—it's such fun to look back on the memories," she remarked with enthusiasm.
Even as she basks in her new life as both mother and content creator, Miffy Englefield appreciates the special connection she has with The Holiday and the family rituals it inspires. She admitted this year, her daughter Frankie watched the movie as soon as she could talk, leading to lighthearted family banter about her former life on set. Englefield, who now leads a fulfilling life rooted in family, finds it delightful to be remembered as part of holiday traditions, saying, "It’s very sweet to be a little part of people’s Christmases. I think it's very nice."
Miffy Englefield’s evolution from child actor to influencer not only showcases her impressive adaptability but also underlines the lasting impact of The Holiday on audiences worldwide. With her unique blend of humor and nostalgia, Englefield remains connected to her roots even as she carves out her own modern identity.
