Sue Johnston encyclopedia topics

Biography

Sue Johnston (birth name Susan) was born in Warrington, then Lancashire now Cheshire, and grew up in Prescot, then Lancashire now Merseyside, and was educated at the local Prescot School.

After working as a Higher Grade tax inspector, when her boyfriend was one of the pop group The Swinging Blue Jeans, she worked for Brian Epstein. From the age 21, Johnston attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

From 1982 to 1990 she appeared as Sheila Grant in the soap opera Brookside. Since then she has appeared in many drama series and films, including Inspector Morse, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, Brassed Off, and My Uncle Silas. Johnston currently stars in the television series Waking The Dead, in which she plays the role of psychological profiler Grace Foley, alongside Trevor Eve. Johnston is also well-known for her role as Barbara Royle in the comedy series The Royle Family, appearing alongside her former on-screen husband in Brookside, Ricky Tomlinson.

In 2004, she appeared in one episode of the series, Who Do You Think You Are?, in which she traced back her family tree. She can currently be seen starring in the lead role in the French and Saunders sitcom Jam & Jerusalem on BBC One, alongside Joanna Lumley, Maggie Steed and David Mitchell. The first series aired in 2006 and the second series began on 1st January, 2008.

Johnston has campaigned on behalf of the Labour Party and has been a long-time gay rights campaigner.