Siobhan Finneran
Born: 1966-04-27 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK
Known For: Acting
Biography
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.
Filmography
2025
- The Damned as Helga
- Dictator: The Hitler Interviews as Self - Narrator (voice)
2024
- Protection as DI Liz Nyles
- Inside No. 9: The Party's Over as Self
- Huggo as Julia
2023
- The Reckoning as Beryl Hullighan
- Rapture
2021
- Time as Marie-Louise O'Dell
- Hunting the Essex Lorry Killers as Self (Narrator)
2020
- The Stranger as DS Johanna Griffin
- Alma's Not Normal as Lin
- The Other One as Marilyn
- The Yorkshire Jobcentre as Self - Narrator
2019
- The Widow as Sally Newell
- A Confession as Elaine Pickford
- Forensics: The Real CSI as Narrator
- Pond Life as Kath Edlington
2018
- Snatches: Moments from Women's Lives as Jen
- Benidorm: 10 Years on Holiday as Herself
- James Bulger: The New Revelations as Narrator
2017
- The Loch as DCI Lauren Quigley
- The Moorside as DC Christine Freeman
- Apostasy as Ivanna
- The Chillenden Murders as Narrator (Voice)
- Having a Ball: The Making of Rita, Sue and Bob Too
2016
- Broadcast Signal Intrusion as Jane
2015
- Midwinter of the Spirit as Angela Purefoy
2014
- Inside No. 9 as Edith
- Happy Valley as Clare Cartwright
- Nobody from Nowhere as Elizabeth Traven
- Bullseyes and Beer: When Darts Hit Britain as Narrator
2013
- The Selfish Giant as Mrs. Swift
2012
- The Syndicate as Mandy Atkinson
2011
- Death in Paradise as Fleur Edwards
2010
- Downton Abbey as Sarah O'Brien
2009
- Unforgiven as Izzie Ingram
- Coronation Street: Romanian Holiday as Verity
2008
- Apparitions as Sister Ruth
- Boy A as Kelly
2007
- Benidorm as Janice Garvey
- Comedy Showcase as Shirley
2006
- The Amazing Mrs Pritchard as Beverley Clarke
- Johnny and the Bomb as Mrs. Bushell
2005
- Doctor Who as Becka Savage
2004
- Passer By as Helen Keyes
2003
- Blue Murder as Anita Burgess
- The Royal as Rita Hogg
2002
- Wire in the Blood as DI Jan Shields
- Timeshift as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Sparkhouse as Sue Bolton
- Harold Shipman: Doctor Death as Kathleen Adanski
- Blood Strangers as WPC Melanie Whitaker
- The King and Us as Jenny
2001
- Bob & Rose as Marina Marquess
2000
- Clocking Off as Julie O'Neill
1996
- Hetty Wainthropp Investigates as Peggy Rainford
1995
- Out of the Blue as Fran Paiton
- Resort to Murder as Lena
1993
- Peak Practice as Caroline Royal
1992
- Heartbeat as Janet
1987
- Rita, Sue and Bob Too as Rita
1986
- Casualty as Sue Stedding