Siobhan Finneran
Siobhan Finneran
Born 27/04/1966 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK

Siobhan Margaret Finneran is an English television and film actress. She made her screen debut in the 1987 independent film Rita, Sue and Bob Too, and subsequently worked consistently in television drama including roles in Coronation Street (1989–1990), Clocking Off (2000–2002) and The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006). In 2005, Finneran originated the lead female role in the stage play On the Shore of the Wide World and was awarded the Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Also a comedy performer, Finneran appeared as Janice Garvey, a leading character in the first seven series of ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2015). Later television roles include portraying a lawyer in the mini-series Unforgiven (2009), an embittered servant in the first three series of the costume drama Downton Abbey (2010–2012) and a recovering addict in Happy Valley (2014–2023), for which she was nominated for the 2017 British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress. Later film credits include Mrs Swift in the 2013 film release The Selfish Giant, which earned her a British Independent Film Award nomination. Finneran is also a prolific television documentary narrator.

Siobhan Margaret Finneran is an English television and film actress. She made her screen debut in the 1987 independent film Rita, Sue and Bob Too, and subsequently worked consistently in television drama including roles in Coronation Street (1989–1990), Clocking Off (2000–2002) and The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006). In 2005, Finneran originated the lead female role in the stage play On the Shore of the Wide World and was awarded the Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Also a comedy performer, Finneran appeared as Janice Garvey, a leading character in the first seven series of ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2015). Later television roles include portraying a lawyer in the mini-series Unforgiven (2009), an embittered servant in the first three series of the costume drama Downton Abbey (2010–2012) and a recovering addict in Happy Valley (2014–2023), for which she was nominated for the 2017 British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress. Later film credits include Mrs Swift in the 2013 film release The Selfish Giant, which earned her a British Independent Film Award nomination. Finneran is also a prolific television documentary narrator.

Finneran was born in Oldham, Greater Manchester, then in Lancashire, to Irish parents. She moved with her family to Saddleworth as a young child, and has lived in the area ever since. During childhood Finneran was always drawn to the performing arts and was a fan of the celebrated English comedian Eric Morecambe, recalling that "as a little girl I wanted to be Eric Morecambe. Not to be like him but to actually be him". She completed a theatre studies course.

In 2023, Finneran became patron for Manchester based charity Contact Hostel, an organisation that provides support and accommodation for teenage girls facing homelessness.

External links

Filmography (Movies)

Television Appearances

Dictator: The Hitler Interviews

Dictator: The Hitler Interviews

Character:Self - Narrator (voice)

Protection

Protection

Character:DI Liz Nyles

The Reckoning

The Reckoning

Character:Beryl Hullighan

Time

Time

Character:Marie-Louise O'Dell

The Yorkshire Jobcentre

The Yorkshire Jobcentre

Character:Self - Narrator

The Other One

The Other One

Character:Marilyn

Alma's Not Normal

Alma's Not Normal

Character:Lin

The Stranger

The Stranger

Character:DS Johanna Griffin

A Confession

A Confession

Character:Elaine Pickford

Forensics: The Real CSI

Forensics: The Real CSI

Character:Narrator

The Widow

The Widow

Character:Sally Newell

Snatches: Moments from Women's Lives

Snatches: Moments from Women's Lives

Character:Jen

The Loch

The Loch

Character:DCI Lauren Quigley

The Chillenden Murders

The Chillenden Murders

Character:Narrator (Voice)

The Moorside

The Moorside

Character:DC Christine Freeman

Midwinter of the Spirit

Midwinter of the Spirit

Character:Angela Purefoy

Happy Valley

Happy Valley

Character:Clare Cartwright

Inside No. 9

Inside No. 9

Character:Edith

The Syndicate

The Syndicate

Character:Mandy Atkinson

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey

Character:Sarah O'Brien

Unforgiven

Unforgiven

Character:Izzie Ingram

Apparitions

Apparitions

Character:Sister Ruth

Comedy Showcase

Comedy Showcase

Character:Shirley

Benidorm

Benidorm

Character:Janice Garvey

Benidorm

Benidorm

Character:Janice

The Amazing Mrs Pritchard

The Amazing Mrs Pritchard

Character:Beverley Clarke

Johnny and the Bomb

Johnny and the Bomb

Character:Mrs. Bushell

Doctor Who

Doctor Who

Character:Becka Savage

Passer By

Passer By

Character:Helen Keyes

Blue Murder

Blue Murder

Character:Anita Burgess

The Royal

The Royal

Character:Rita Hogg

Wire in the Blood

Wire in the Blood

Character:

Timeshift

Timeshift

Character:Self - Narrator (voice)

Sparkhouse

Sparkhouse

Character:Sue Bolton

Clocking Off

Clocking Off

Character:Julie O'Neill

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates

Character:Peggy Rainford

Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue

Character:Fran Paiton

Peak Practice

Peak Practice

Character:Caroline Royal

Heartbeat

Heartbeat

Character:Janet

Heartbeat

Heartbeat

Character:Tax Inspector

Heartbeat

Heartbeat

Character:Gloria Brown

Casualty

Casualty

Character:Sue Stedding

Casualty

Casualty

Character:Mel Riley

Images

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