Sue Johnston
Also Known As: Susan Wright, Susan Johnston, OBE
Biography: Susan Johnston, OBE (née Wright; born 7 December 1943) is an English actress known for playing Sheila Grant in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside (1982–1990), Barbara Royle in the BBC comedy The Royle Family (1998–2000, 2006, 2008–2010, 2012), Grace Foley in the BBC drama Waking the Dead (2000–2011), Gloria Price in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street (2012–2014) and Miss Denker in the ITV drama Downton Abbey (2014–2015). She won the 2000 British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress and was nominated for the 2000 BAFTA TV Award for Best Comedy Performance for The Royle Family.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK
Birthday: December 07, 1943
Adult: No
Gender: Female
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Known For:
Imagine Me & You
Overview: During her wedding ceremony, Rachel notices Luce in the audience and feels instantly drawn to her. The two women become close friends, and when Rachel learns that Luce is a lesbian, she realizes that despite her happy marriage to Heck, she is falling for Luce. As she questions her sexual orientation, Rachel must decide between her stable relationship with Heck and her exhilarating new romance with Luce.
Genres: Drama Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-01-27
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Help
Overview: Sarah seems to have found her calling working in a Liverpool care home where she has a special talent for connecting with the residents. Then, in March 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic hits.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2021-09-16
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Preaching to the Perverted
Overview: A computer wizard infiltrates a London sex club to get evidence for a shutdown, but falls for the proprietress.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-07-04
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David Jason: Britain's Favourite TV Star
Overview: Sir David Jason is a bona fide TV legend and one of the finest actors of his generation. As part of Channel 5's latest series of tribute documentaries, we celebrate his life and remarkable career. Narrated by Sue Johnston, we tell the real story behind his greatest TV creations, from Pop Larkin to Granville, Jack Frost to Del Boy and much more. We chronicle the superstar's early-stage career and hear what his fellow thespians really thought of the dashing young actor.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2020-12-21
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Brassed Off
Overview: A Yorkshire coal mine is threatened with closure and the only hope is for the men to enter their Grimley Colliery Brass Band into a national competition. They believe they have no hope until Gloria appears carrying her Flugelhorn. At first mocked for being a woman, she soon becomes the only chance for the band to win.
Genres: Comedy Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1996-11-01
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Face
Overview: Ray is an aging ex-socialist who has become a bankrobber after seeing the demise of socialism in 1980s Britain. Teaming up with a gang of other has-beenish crims, he commits one bank job too many. The gang dissolves in a murderous flurry of recriminations.
Genres: Crime Drama Thriller
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-09-26
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Robbo: The Bryan Robson Story
Overview: Robbo is a remarkable feature film that tells the story of one of England and Manchester United’s greatest ever midfielders. From a working class kid in the North East of England to a national treasure honoured by the Queen, this new film gives a previously unseen insight into the man they call ‘Captain Marvel’.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2021-11-29
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The Turn of the Screw
Overview: A young governess, Ann, is sent to a country house to take care of two orphans, Miles and Flora. Soon after her arrival, Miles is expelled from boarding school. Although charmed by her young charge, she secretly fears there are ominous reasons behind his expulsion. With Miles back at home, the governess starts noticing ethereal figures roaming the estate's grounds. Desperate to learn more about these sinister sightings she discovers that the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of her predecessor hold grim implications for herself. As she becomes increasingly fearful that malevolent forces are stalking the children the governess is determined to save them, risking herself and her sanity in the process.
Genres: Thriller Drama Horror Mystery TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2009-12-30
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Downton Abbey: A New Era
Overview: The Crawley family goes on a grand journey to the south of France to uncover the mystery of the dowager countess's newly inherited villa. Meanwhile, a Hollywood director seeks to film his latest production at Downton.
Genres: Drama Romance History Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2022-04-27
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Bilby
Overview: Fred is an ice cream van man, unfortunately he is manslipping down the leaderboard of ice cream sales. Lucy and Grumble give him the advice to embark on an epic trip to the coast to see a long lost love.
Genres: Adventure
Original Language: en
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Caroline Aherne: Queen of Comedy
Overview: The unique life and talent of Caroline Aherne is celebrated in a new Arena film, featuring unseen photographs and contributions from a cast of her lifelong friends, including Steve Coogan, John Thomson, Craig Cash and producer Andy Harries.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-12-25
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The Big Snow of '47
Overview: Houses buried under snow. Rivers frozen solid. World War II bombers dropping bread to isolated villages. How did Brits survive the snowiest winter ever recorded - and could it happen again? A host of familiar faces including John Craven, Amanda Barrie, Timothy West and Neil Kinnock share their childhood memories of the icy winter of '47 and explain why it remains unparalleled to this day.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-01-01
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Tourettes: I Swear I Can't Help It
Overview: A documentary featuring several individuals with Tourettes Syndrome and how they are able to cope with the condition.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2009-05-27
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500 Miles North
Overview: To claim a huge inheritance, two estranged brothers must travel to the wilds of Scotland in an old camper van to spread their father’s ashes. James and John haven’t spoken in ten years; John is now a thrusting executive with a wandering eye, James, a lonely, socially maladjusted, alcoholic. It’s only the sudden death of the father who rejected them as children, that draws them back together. Their father’s letters and the people they meet, start to heal old wounds, helping them come to terms with the pains of both past and present, but there is a secret waiting five hundred miles north in the highlands that could shatter them forever.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-01-01
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Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll
Overview: The BBC drama about growing up in the turbulent, tuneful '60s. Manchester, England, 1965. "You'll never meet anybody worth knowing working at the Chip Shop," says Ellie and Arden Brookes' overbearing granny. But that's where the sisters meet The Ice Cubes, a struggling rock trio that opens their eyes to the whole swingin' world beyond staid Manchester. Arden sees lead singer Dallas McCabe as her ticket out. Ellie has more practical plans, but she and Dallas get drawn together by the music and their irresistible attraction to each other. A story of twin sisters who are each other's best friend-and worst enemy.
Genres: TV Movie Drama Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1999-09-05
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Lapland
Overview: Recently widowed Eileen Lewis,son Pete and his wife Mandy and daughter Paula with her spouse Ray,plus the grandchildren, leave Birkenhead to spend Christmas in Lapland.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2011-12-24
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Brookside: The Lost Weekend
Overview: A special, video only story set on the Brookside close. On Friday 14th November 1997, a five night a week storyline ended in a cliffhanger and this video completes the story - a tale of kidnapping extortion and violence. The action-packed episode features faces from the show's past including Sheila Grant (Sue Johnston) and wayward son Barry Grant (Paul Usher), and is written by series creator Phil Redmond.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-11-15
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Brookside: Friday the 13th
Overview: There is trouble a-plenty in store for the Corkhill clan in this video-only special. Series creator Phil Redmond has returned to pen a dramatic script which follows on from a weekend special.
Genres: Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1998-11-14
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Golden Years
Overview: Fate, the pensions crisis and a steadfast refusal to accept the injustice of old age have contrived to force law abiding, retired couple, Arthur and Martha Goode into a life of crime.
Genres: Crime Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-04-29
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Shannon Matthews: What Happened Next
Overview: The disappearance of Shannon Matthews was a story that gripped and then appalled Britain. Nine years on, this documentary examines her kidnapping and why people close to the case believe the police should reopen their investigation. Featuring the insight of some of those closest to the case, the programme charts the impact on an innocent girl caught in the lies and greed of those who were supposed to be caring for her
Genres: Documentary Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2017-02-28
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Caring for the Recently Deceased
Overview: A recent widow's life changing experience when her useless husband returns from the grave.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2014-07-28
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Downton Abbey 3
Overview: Plot details under wraps.
Genres: Drama Romance History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2025-09-10
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Measure for Measure
Overview: Modern dress adaptation of Shakespeare's play.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-11-05
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The Cockfields Christmas Special
Overview: It's 27th December and Simon and Esther pay a flying visit to Ray and Sue. They can only stay for the day as Simon is so busy with work. Sue wishes they'd stay longer.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
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New Year's Day
Overview: Two 17-year-old boys mark the new year by doing twelve dangerous but exciting tasks set for them by their friends.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-01-01
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British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
Overview: Documentary celebrating the British sitcom and taking a look at the social and political context from which our favourite sitcoms grew. We enjoy a trip through the comedy archive in the company of the people who made some of the very best British sitcoms. From The Likely Lads to I'm Alan Partridge, we find out the inspiration behind some of the most-loved characters and how they reflect the times they were living in.
Genres: Comedy Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-09-12
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Walk Like a Panther
Overview: A group of 1980s wrestlers are forced to don the lycra once last time when their beloved local pub is threatened with closure.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2018-03-09
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Score
Overview: Comedy about a Sunday League football team who win the Lottery.
Genres: TV Movie Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2001-06-05
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Death on the Tyne
Overview: Draper's Tours are taking Mildred and her care home friends on an overnight ferry trip from North Shields to Amsterdam, where things will quickly turn turbulent as the passengers and crew begin to get bumped off one-by-one. Throughout it all, Terry is still desperate to pop the question to Gemma, even if the circumstances are less than romantic.
Genres: Comedy Crime Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2018-12-15
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Bitter Harvest
Overview: A young black British woman goes to the Dominican Republic as an aid worker. When she goes missing, her parents make an emotional journey to piece together her story.
Genres: Thriller Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-07-22
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Diana and the Paparazzi
Overview: Marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris in August 1997, this documentary reveals how Diana learned to manipulate and control the photographers who pursued her ever since she started seeing the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles, in the early '80s. Contributions from tabloid editors, royal photographers, Diana's friends, and former Press Attaché and her royal bodyguard.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2017-08-17
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Barbara's Old Ring
Overview: Christmas is coming but Barbara is not happy. Not only has she lost her wedding ring but Jim has won on a scratch card she found down the back of the sofa whilst looking for the ring and has kept quiet about his hundred pounds winnings. Nor is he especially sympathetic about Dave's impotency problem, though the entire Royle family unite to help recently widowed Joe from next door enjoy a restaurant-style evening in their house with the equally scatty Philomena, whom he has met through a want ad. On Christmas Day Barbara lashes out at Jim for his laziness and juvenile antics - though his description of a busty barmaid cures Dave's problem. However she is in for a pleasant surprise when she discovers just how he spent his scratch card winnings.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2012-12-25
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The New Sofa
Overview: Festive special edition of the hit family sitcom. Inspired by Nigella Lawson, Denise decides to cook Christmas dinner for the family. Jim provides the yuletide log and, much to his dismay, Dave's mum and dad are invited to join the festivities.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2008-12-25
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The Cure
Overview: The story of an ordinary woman who exposed one of the worst hospital care scandals in the history of the NHS. Based on the inspiring real-life story of Julie Bailey.
Genres: Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2019-12-19
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World Cup 1966: Alfie's Boys
Overview: A retelling of England's only World Cup victory, fifty years later, placing special emphasis on the work of manager Sir Alf Ramsey.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-05-22
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The Nation's Favourite Beatles Number One
Overview: The Nation’s Favourite Beatles Number One tells the stories behind some of the greatest Beatles songs ever. With interviews from Beatles’ insiders including musicians, friends, fellow performers and celebrity fans, we’ll hear about the stories behind the Fab Four’s best-loved hits
Genres: Music Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2015-11-11
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The Queen of Sheba
Overview: Tension mounts in the Royle household as the family contemplates the prospect of becoming fully laminated throughout. Dr Mahmoud prescribes new medication for Nana in the form of yellow tablets; coincidentally they turn out to be the same colour as the tablets that Joe was prescribed for the swelling when he got his bits stuck in his zip. Meanwhile, a mysterious ginger visitor reminds Nana of her favourite musical.
Genres: Comedy Drama TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-10-29
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The Things You Do for Love: Against the Odds
Overview: Sue Johnston stars in this intimate drama exploring the life of Coronation Street star Pat Phoenix. Follow her affair with fellow actor Tony Booth in the 50s that ended in heartbreak, and what eventually happened to the pair years later.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1998-08-30
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Joe's Crackers
Overview: It is Christmas Day in the Royle household and Barbara is up to her eyes in it, as Jim is out of action following an unfortunate incident in the precinct while Dave and Denise are feeling the effects of the recession the most, and worry that Anthony's lavish gifts will eclipse their gift of a fridge magnet.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-12-25
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The Golden Egg Cup
Overview: Jim and Barbara have received the gift of money from their children - but what to do with it? Barbara wants to finally go abroad, while Jim favours buying an HD satellite box.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2009-12-25
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The Royle Family: Behind the Sofa
Overview: Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash discuss the creation of The Royle Family, with a look behind the scenes at the production of the show and interviews with the cast.
Genres: Documentary Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2010-11-10
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The Virgin Mary
Overview: In BBC ONE's The Virgin Mary, dramatic reconstructions and stunning visual effects are combined with the latest findings from historians and New Testament scholars to recreate the story of this remarkable woman. Presented by actress Sue Johnston, The Virgin Mary explores the history behind the miraculous Bible story to reveal the living, breathing mother of Christianity. The picture that emerges is very different from that of popular belief – the serene young woman, dressed in blue silken robes, was largely a creation of later writers and Renaissance painters.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-12-22
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Liverpool FC: One Night in May
Overview: Sky One UK documentary showing events leading up to, during and after Liverpool Football Club's historic fifth European Cup victory, where the team fought back from 3-0 at half time, to win the game on penalties.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2005-05-24
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