"Bridgerton" Actress Genevieve Chenneour Fights Off Phone Thief in London

Genevieve Chenneour, the 27-year-old actress captivating audiences in Netflix's "Bridgerton," recently experienced a real-life drama far removed from the Regency era. While enjoying a coffee in a London cafe on February 8th, Chenneour became the target of a brazen phone thief. However, the would-be criminal picked the wrong person.

Security footage reveals a man snatching Chenneour's phone from her table while she was momentarily distracted. Reacting swiftly, the actress pursued the thief, ultimately subduing him with the help of a bystander. The video shows Chenneour kicking, pushing, and seemingly striking the man with her own phone, reclaiming her stolen property.

In a subsequent interview, Chenneour explained that she felt a sense of unease before the incident, attributing it to a woman's intuition. "I could feel people moving around me in a different way," she said. She also believes the thief had been observing her, carefully selecting her as a target.

Chenneour credits her background in boxing and growing up with three brothers for her decisive response. "I thought that was a normal reaction," she admitted, surprised to learn that many people might have simply let the thief escape. Her instincts, honed through athletic training, allowed her to create distance and defend herself.

Despite successfully retrieving her phone, the incident left Chenneour shaken. She described feeling anxious about leaving her home in the aftermath, highlighting the heightened awareness many women carry regarding their safety in public spaces. The experience, she said, opened up conversations about the widespread fear of public spaces.

Chenneour's role in "Bridgerton" Season 3 is Clara Livingston, a debutante making her entrance into London society in 1815. Beyond her acting career, her IMDb page reveals a background as a former athlete with experience in dance, swimming, gymnastics, and boxing, where she is a carded member of the American Boxing Association.

The Metropolitan Police Service has apprehended an 18-year-old in connection with the theft. The individual is scheduled for sentencing on June 17th on charges of theft and assault, according to the BBC. Chenneour's unexpected encounter serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the strength that can be found in unexpected places.