Best known for her character Helena Peabody in the popular television series The L Word, Rachel Shelley is an English actress and model who predominantly works in the television industry. The L Word (2005-09) is the longest TV series of her career. She joined the series in its second season and has featured in 54 episodes. Her other notable role was Elizabeth Russell in the Oscar-nominated Bollywood film Lagaan.   

After graduating in English and Drama from the University of Sheffield, she joined a local theatre company and that's how her acting career began. Later, she moved to London to further her career. Her other noteworthy works include Photographing Fairies (1997), Lighthouse (1999), The Calling (2000), The Bone Snatcher (2003), Licensed by Royalty (2004), and Strike Back (2011).