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Acting
April 27, 1966
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. 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.
Helga
2025
DI Liz Nyles
2024
Self
2024
Julia
2024
Beryl Hullighan
2023
2023
Self (Narrator)
2021
Marie-Louise O'Dell
2021
Self - Narrator
2020
Marilyn
2020
as Helga
as DI Liz Nyles
as Self
as Julia
as Beryl Hullighan
as Self (Narrator)
as Marie-Louise O'Dell
as Self - Narrator
as Marilyn
as Lin
as DS Johanna Griffin
as Elaine Pickford
as Narrator
as Kath Edlington
as Sally Newell
as Narrator
as Jen
as Herself
as Ivanna
as DCI Lauren Quigley
as Narrator (Voice)
as DC Christine Freeman
as Jane
as Angela Purefoy
as Elizabeth Traven
as Clare Cartwright
as Edith
as Mrs. Swift
as Mandy Atkinson
as Sarah O'Brien
as Verity
as Izzie Ingram
as Sister Ruth
as Kelly
as Shirley
as Janice Garvey
as Janice
as Beverley Clarke
as Mrs. Bushell
as Becka Savage
as Helen Keyes
as Anita Burgess
as Rita Hogg
as Self - Narrator (voice)
as Sue Bolton
as Kathleen Adanski
as Jenny
as WPC Melanie Whitaker
as Julie O'Neill
as Peggy Rainford
as Fran Paiton
as Caroline Royal
as Janet
as Tax Inspector
as Gloria Brown
as Rita
as Sue Stedding
as Mel Riley
as Mrs Phillips