Siobhan Finneran
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.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 · The Damned as Helga
- 2023 · Rapture as
- 2021 · Time as Marie-Louise O'Dell
- 2020 · The Stranger as DS Johanna Griffin
- 2019 · A Confession as Elaine Pickford
- 2019 · The Widow as Sally Newell
- 2018 · Benidorm: 10 Years on Holiday as Herself
- 2016 · Broadcast Signal Intrusion as Jane
- 2014 · Nobody from Nowhere as Elizabeth Traven
- 2014 · Happy Valley as Clare Cartwright
- 2014 · Inside No. 9 as Edith
- 2013 · The Selfish Giant as Mrs. Swift
- 2012 · The Syndicate as Mandy Atkinson
- 2010 · Downton Abbey as Sarah O'Brien
- 2008 · Apparitions as Sister Ruth
- 2007 · Comedy Showcase as Shirley
- 2007 · Benidorm as Janice Garvey
- 2007 · Benidorm as Janice
- 2005 · Doctor Who as Becka Savage
- 2003 · Blue Murder as Anita Burgess
- 2002 · Wire in the Blood as
- 2002 · Timeshift as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2002 · Harold Shipman: Doctor Death as Kathleen Adanski
- 2000 · Clocking Off as Julie O'Neill
- 1996 · Hetty Wainthropp Investigates as Peggy Rainford
- 1993 · Peak Practice as Caroline Royal
- 1992 · Heartbeat as Janet
- 1992 · Heartbeat as Tax Inspector
- 1992 · Heartbeat as Gloria Brown
- 1986 · Casualty as Sue Stedding
- 1986 · Casualty as Mel Riley
- Future · Chatlines as
- 2025 · Dictator - The Hitler Interviews as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2024 · Protection as DI Liz Nyles
- 2024 · Inside No. 9: The Party's Over as Self
- 2024 · Huggo as Julia
- 2023 · The Reckoning as Beryl Hullighan
- 2021 · Hunting the Essex Lorry Killers as Self (Narrator)
- 2020 · The Yorkshire Jobcentre as Self - Narrator
- 2020 · The Other One as Marilyn
- 2020 · Alma's Not Normal as Lin
- 2019 · Forensics: The Real CSI as Narrator
- 2019 · Pond Life as Kath Edlington
- 2018 · James Bulger: The New Revelations as Narrator
- 2018 · Snatches: Moments from Women's Lives as Jen
- 2017 · Apostasy as Ivanna
- 2017 · The Loch as DCI Lauren Quigley
- 2017 · The Chillenden Murders as Narrator (Voice)
- 2017 · The Moorside as DC Christine Freeman
- 2015 · Midwinter of the Spirit as Angela Purefoy
- 2009 · Coronation Street: Romanian Holiday as Verity
- 2009 · Unforgiven as Izzie Ingram
- 2007 · Boy A as Kelly
- 2006 · The Amazing Mrs Pritchard as Beverley Clarke
- 2006 · Johnny and the Bomb as Mrs. Bushell
- 2003 · The Royal as Rita Hogg
- 2002 · Sparkhouse as Sue Bolton
- 1995 · Out of the Blue as Fran Paiton
- Future · Out of the Dust as Mrs Phillips
- Future · The Stork as Gwenda
- 2004 · Passer By as Helen Keyes
- 2002 · The King and Us as Jenny
- 2002 · Blood Strangers as WPC Melanie Whitaker
- 1987 · Rita, Sue and Bob Too as Rita