Molly Hanson is a British actress, voice artist and sports coach based in London. Audiences know her best as the young Judith in The Marlow Murder Club, the lead in the sci-fi thriller Dream Hacker, and the host of the 2026 podcast Actors Never Retire. She is also the daughter of actress Samantha Bond.
That is a lot of ground for one person. Most online profiles list her credits and stop there. This guide goes further. It separates confirmed facts from unconfirmed ones, explains how her acting, hockey and marketing work connect, and flags details that have changed.
Who Is Molly Hanson?
She is a working British actress whose career covers television, film, theatre and audio. She grew up in a well-known acting family, but she has built her own list of credits.
Her work stretches beyond the screen. She narrates audiobooks, sings, coaches hockey and runs social media for arts charities. Few actors balance that many roles at once.
A quick note on identity. Several unrelated people share this name, so searches can mix up profiles. This guide covers the London actress linked to Samantha Bond and Dream Hacker.
Molly Hanson Age and Early Life
Molly was born in 1991, according to her published professional profile. That makes her about 34 or 35 in 2026. Her exact birthday has not been made public. Hello! magazine also describes her as an actor in her 30s, which fits.
Her early life followed a creative path:
- She attended Kingston Grammar School from 2003 to 2010.
- She studied at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School from 2011 to 2014.
- She graduated with a BA in Professional Acting.
Bristol Old Vic is one of the best-known drama schools in the UK. The training shows in her range, which runs from police procedurals to Shakespeare and physical theatre.
She is also an Equity member. Her profile lists a wide set of accents, including RP, regional English, Scandinavian, Dutch, French, German, Russian and American.
Molly Hanson Parents: Samantha Bond and Alexander Hanson
Her parents are both actors. Samantha Bond and Alexander Hanson have been married since 1989 and have two children, Molly and Tom.
Samantha Bond is one of Britain’s most recognisable performers. She played Miss Moneypenny opposite Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond films. She also played Lady Rosamund Painswick in Downton Abbey and stars as Judith Potts in The Marlow Murder Club. Bond is also Chairwoman of the Royal Theatrical Fund, a charity that supports retired performers.
Alexander Hanson is a stage actor with West End and Broadway credits. Hello! magazine links him to screen work including The Diplomat and The Bill. Some profiles describe him as Norwegian-born, though that detail comes from a single source.
Growing up around two working actors gave Molly early insight into the industry, both its rewards and its uncertainty.
Molly Hanson and Samantha Bond Working Together
Mother and daughter share a character, though not a scene. In The Marlow Murder Club, Samantha plays the older Judith Potts. Molly plays Judith as a younger woman in flashbacks.
Samantha has said they do not appear together on screen, because each plays a different age of the same person. The show launched in the UK on 6 March 2024, and series two followed on 19 March 2025.
They also connect through charity work. Samantha chairs the Royal Theatrical Fund, and Molly hosts its podcast. More on that below.
Molly Hanson Sibling: Tom Hanson
Her brother, Tom Hanson, is also an actor. Some profiles describe him as her younger brother.
Tom is best known for:
- Playing Cardi in Sky’s comedy-drama Brassic
- Playing Spencer in the BBC comedy The Outlaws
- Playing Blake in series three of The Tunnel
- Starring in Channel 4’s Stepping Up, a comedy about a stepdad who causes chaos in a new family
Two siblings, two actor parents, and four working careers in one household. It is a rare family story in British acting.
Molly Hanson Husband Bob Jansen
Published profiles name her husband as Bob Jansen. They are reported to have been together since around December 2018.
Here is what is not confirmed: the wedding date, the venue and his profession. Neither Molly nor her family has shared these details in major interviews. Any article claiming exact wedding facts should be treated with caution.
Molly keeps her private life low-key. Her social media focuses on work, not family milestones. That choice is worth respecting, and it is one reason reliable details are limited.
Molly Hanson Television Career
Her television work began in the mid 2010s and has grown steadily. Her main credits include:
- Father Brown: Paulette Swain
- The Coroner: Hannah Drake (2015)
- Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: a British transit cop, uncredited (2019)
- Doctors: Michelle Jones (2023)
- The Marlow Murder Club: Young Judith (2024 onward)
- EastEnders: a police officer role (2025)
The Marlow Murder Club is her highest profile television role. The series is based on Richard Osman’s bestselling mystery novels, and its flashback scenes need an actress who can convincingly become a younger version of a character Samantha Bond already owns. That is a demanding brief.
Her earlier work also includes The Coming of the Martians (2018), where she played Adrienne. In 2019 she voiced Jill Sandbrook in the Big Finish audio drama Doctor Who: The Early Adventures.
Molly Hanson Movies and Dream Hacker
Her biggest film role so far is the lead in Dream Hacker. She plays Jennifer, a young professor who builds a device that lets her enter other people’s dreams. During her first experiment, an artificial intelligence called Adam appears inside the dream world.
Key details about the film:
- Genre: Sci-fi thriller
- Writer and director: Richard Colton, who previously made Override (2021)
- Co-stars: Marina Sirtis and Mark Williams
- Release: US video on demand from 10 June 2025
Leading a feature film is a real step up. It puts her at the centre of every scene, which is very different from a guest role on a long running series.
Her other screen work includes the short film Treasure (2020), where she played Susan, and the TV movie Presence of Love (2022), where she played Mrs Whitten.
Molly Hanson Theatre Career
Theatre is where her training shows most. Published profiles list a mix of classical, comic and new work:
- As You Like It (Celia)
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia)
- First Episode (Joan) at Jermyn Street Theatre
- An all-female production of Posh, linked to an OFFIE nomination
- London Road, A Christmas Carol, Cinderella and Aladdin: A Popup Pantomime
- Beautiful World Cabaret Gala (2025)
She has also worked front of house at the Orange Tree Theatre. That behind-the-scenes experience gives her a rare view of how a theatre actually runs.
Her profile also mentions physical and immersive theatre skills. Those matter for casting, since they open doors to ensemble and devised work.
Molly Hanson Audiobooks and Voice Work
Voice work is a quieter part of her career, but a growing one. She is a trained mezzo-soprano with jazz, pop and musical theatre experience.
Titles linked to her narration include:
- Bonesmith
- Ghostsmith
- Only I Can Save Them
- Spider, Spider
- The Girl with Two Names
Audiobook narration asks for stamina, clear diction and the ability to voice many characters. Her accent range suits that job well. Listeners should check each title’s listing on their audiobook platform, since credits can vary by edition.
Molly Hanson Podcast Work
In 2026 she became a podcast host. Actors Never Retire is a six-episode series from the Royal Theatrical Fund, announced on 10 June 2026. The first episode arrived on 12 June 2026, with new episodes weekly.
The show celebrates the lives and careers of performers across stage and screen. Guests include David Alder, Colette Kelly, Hayward Morse, Barbara Rhodes, Myra Sands and Elizabeth Seal. Samantha Bond and Robert Lindsay, the charity’s chairwoman and president, introduce the series. Original music is by Stefan Bednarczyk.
Topics include backstage mishaps, career defining moments and what longevity in acting really takes. For Molly, it joins her acting skills with her work for the charity.
Molly Hanson Hockey Career
Hockey is the most surprising part of her story, and also the area where many profiles are out of date.
Her playing background:
- She started as a junior at Surbiton Hockey Club at age 14.
- She competed in national premier league outdoor and indoor hockey.
- She joined the Old Cranleighan Hockey Club (OCHC) Ladies 1s in 2018.
- She was part of four promotions, up to the London Premier League.
- Her playing career ended after repeated concussions.
Her coaching and leadership:
- She worked within the England Hockey Performance Centre set-up.
- She coached the 1st XI girls and boys at King’s College, Wimbledon.
- In 2024, OCHC named her Co-Director of Hockey for the 2024 to 2025 season, alongside Adam Ward. They succeeded David Mathews.
The club’s own announcement says Co-Director, not sole Director, for that season. Many profiles shorten it. In 2026 OCHC also advertised and filled a full time Director of Coaching post, which went to Omar Shibli in June 2026. If you need her current club role, check the OCHC website directly.
Molly Hanson Social Media and Marketing Career
Alongside acting, she works in marketing and communications. Her profile lists:
- Freelance social media manager (since 2022): Acting for Others and the Royal Theatrical Fund
- Head of Marketing: Stalwart Crafts (former role)
- Front of House Manager: Orange Tree Theatre (former role)
Her Instagram handle is @mollyhansonactor, and she is also on X. Her posts focus on acting work, theatre and projects.
This side job is common among British actors. Acting income can be irregular, so many build skills in marketing or events. It also explains how she connects so naturally with the charities she supports.
Conclusion
Her career shows how a modern actor can work. She has screen credits, a film lead, theatre training, audiobook narration, a new podcast and a leadership role in sport. She did this while building her own identity beside a famous mother.
The next stage looks promising. Actors Never Retire gives her a new public voice, and Dream Hacker keeps her in film conversations. Check official channels such as the Royal Theatrical Fund, her agent’s page and OCHC for updates, since details like her hockey title keep changing.
FAQs About Molly Hanson
Who is Molly Hanson?
She is a London based British actress, audiobook narrator, podcast host and hockey coach. She plays Young Judith in The Marlow Murder Club.
How old is Molly Hanson?
She was born in 1991 according to her profile, so she is about 34 or 35 in 2026. Her exact birthday is not public.
Is Molly Hanson related to Samantha Bond?
Yes. Samantha Bond is her mother. Bond is known as Miss Moneypenny in the Brosnan era Bond films and as Judith Potts in The Marlow Murder Club.
Who is Molly’s father?
Her father is actor Alexander Hanson, who has worked on the West End and Broadway. He has been married to Samantha Bond since 1989.
Who is Molly’s husband?
Published profiles name him as Bob Jansen, with the couple together since around December 2018. Wedding details have not been confirmed.
Who is Molly’s brother?
Her brother is actor Tom Hanson, known for Brassic, The Outlaws and The Tunnel.
What does Molly play in The Marlow Murder Club?
She plays Young Judith in flashback scenes. Her mother, Samantha Bond, plays the older Judith Potts.
What is Dream Hacker about?
Dream Hacker is a sci-fi thriller about a professor who builds a device to enter people’s dreams. Molly plays the lead, Jennifer, and meets an AI called Adam.
What is Molly’s hockey role?
OCHC named her Co-Director of Hockey for 2024 to 2025. She previously played in the London Premier League until concussions ended her playing career.
What is Actors Never Retire?
It is a six-episode Royal Theatrical Fund podcast hosted by Molly. It launched on 12 June 2026 and features veteran performers.
Is Molly on social media?
Yes. Her Instagram handle is @mollyhansonactor, and she is also on X.
Alex Morgan is a content writer with over 6 years of experience creating engaging captions, social media content, and creative writing ideas. He helps readers express their moments through words.
