It is understood potential candidates were expecting three people to be put through but the party made a decision to only shortlist two before local members have their say.
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Labour’s candidate for the byelection will be selected on Friday evening following a hustings of party members in Batley and Spen.
Ms Brabin, a friend of Mrs Cox who spoke at her funeral, is best known for her roles in a string of TV soaps including Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Eastenders.
She received 17,063 votes compared with 20,003 for Kris Hopkins, now Northern Ireland minister in Theresa May’s Government.
The Conservatives, Ukip, and the Liberal Democrats have said they will not field a candidate in the byelection as a mark of respect for Cox.
Ms Thomas was aiming to succeed Ann Cryer, who was elected Labour MP for the constituency in 1997.
The man accused of murdering Labour MP Jo Cox will not rely on his medical issues as a defence, a court heard today.
Prosecutor Tom Little confirmed there will be a trial, told the court the issues in the trial will be “factual”.
The West Yorkshire seat has been vacant since Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed to death on June 16.
During a hearing at the Old Bailey, his lawyer said he had been assessed by doctors but that medical evidence would not be part of his defence.
Thomas Mair, 53, was unable to appear via video link from top security Belmarsh jail because of technical issues.
A three-week trial has been set for November 14, while a plea and case management hearing will take place on October 4.
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Mair’s case is being handled under the “terrorism protocol”.
