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Sue Johnston

Sue Johnston

Actor · Born December 7, 1943 (82) · Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 7, 1943 (82)
From
Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 83 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Up 25% in 30 days

What are Sue Johnston's films like?

Across their 25 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 89th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Society
22%
Self
20%
Survival
11%
Morality
7%
Ideas
7%
Power
4%
Community9 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 9 · Serious 1 · Dark 3

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 4 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 11 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 10 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 10
Ally
3 of 10
Mentor
2 of 10
Shadow
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
15
Tense
9
Joyful
9
Contemplative
9
Dread
3
Other
23

How their films linger

Feel-good16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4
  • Cyclical3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Sue Johnston's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Sue Johnston's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

83 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page; 26 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Ann Droid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sue

  • Welcome to Borovia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Matrashka

  • Stuffed(2025)

    as Lily

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Fackham Hall(2025)

    as Great Aunt Bonaparte

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Dexter Procter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Granny Bet

  • Big Winners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Edith Thistle

  • Play for Today (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Edith Thistle

  • Riot Women(2025)

    Show as Auntie Mary

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Generation Z(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Cecily

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all shows

  • Truelove(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Marion

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Ricky Tomlinson Remembers... The Royle Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Barbara Royle (archive footage)

  • Downton Abbey: A New Era(2022)

    as Gladys Denker

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Responder(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Madge

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Witness Number 3(2022)

    Show as Cathy

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Help(2021)

    as Gloria

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Kensington Palace: Behind Closed Doors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Narrator

  • Time(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · as June Cobden

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • David Jason: Britain's Favourite TV Star (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Narrator

  • The Cure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Bella Bailey

  • The Cockfields (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 9 episodes · as Sue

  • Celebrity Gogglebox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Death on the Tyne(2018)

    as Colleen

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Age Before Beauty(2018)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ivy-Rae Regan

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • Walk Like a Panther(2018)

    as Gladys

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Hold the Sunset(2018)

    Show as Joan

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Diana and the Paparazzi(2017)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Shannon Matthews: The Mother's Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Narrator

  • British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves(2016)

    as Barbara Royle (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Rovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 6 episodes · as Doreen

  • Golden Years(2016)

    as Nancy

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Caring for the Recently Deceased (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Marjoram Bryon

  • Being Eileen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · as Eileen Lewis

  • The Royle Family: Barbara's Old Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Barbara Royle

  • Gates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 5 episodes · as Miss Hunter

  • Lapland(2011)

    as Eileen Lewis

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Sugartown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Baby Hospital (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • The Royle Family: Joe's Crackers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Barbara

  • Downton Abbey(2010)

    Show 6 episodes · as Miss Denker

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • A Passionate Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Betty (1980s)

  • The Turn of the Screw(2009)

    as Sarah Grose

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Golden Egg Cup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Barbara Royle

  • The Royle Family: The New Sofa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Barbara Royle

  • Little Dorrit(2008)

    Show 14 episodes · as Affery / Affery Flintwinch

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Clatterford(2006)

    Show 19 episodes · as Sal Vine

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Street(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Imagine Me & You(2005)

    as Ella

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Paul O'Grady Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Higglytown Heroes(2004)

    Show as Fran (UK)

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all shows

  • Cutting It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Caroline Ferraday

  • New Year's Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Mrs. Fisher

  • My Uncle Silas(2001)

    Show 12 episodes · as Mrs Betts

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Waking the Dead(2000)

    Show 90 episodes · as Dr. Grace Foley

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Score (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Maggie

  • Finest Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 4 episodes · as Commentary

  • Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 6 episodes · as Irma

  • Brookside: Friday the 13th (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Sheila Grant

  • The Royle Family(1998)

    Show 20 episodes · as Barbara Royle

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Jump (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 4 episodes · as Maeve Brunos

  • The Things You Do for Love: Against the Odds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Pat Phoenix

  • Verdict (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Hazel De Vere Q.C.

  • Duck Patrol (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 7 episodes · as Val Rutland

  • Brookside: The Lost Weekend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Sheila Grant

  • Face (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Alice

  • Preaching to the Perverted(1997)

    as Esmeralda

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Crime Traveller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 8 episodes · as Detective Chief Inspector Kate Grisham

  • Brassed Off(1996)

    as Vera

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Hetty Wainthropp Investigates(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Helga Allowby

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Hollyoaks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheila Grant

  • Measure for Measure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Mistress Overdone

  • Luv (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 18 episodes · Actor

  • Full Stretch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 6 episodes · as Grace Robbins

  • A Touch of Frost(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Phyllis Bowman

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Bitter Harvest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Miriam Johnson

  • Goodbye Cruel World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 3 episodes · as Barbara Grade

  • Performance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Mistress Overdone

  • In Suspicious Circumstances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Edith Rosse

  • Medics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 40 episodes · Actor

  • Inspector Morse(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Bailey

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • ScreenPlay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Miriam Johnson

  • Brookside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 882 episodes · as Sheila Grant

  • Bilby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Nancy

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 79 titles, 78 of them dated from 1982 to 2026; peak year 1996.

Biggest box office

Imagine Me & You (2005)

$2.6M worldwide

Highest rated

Help (2021)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Waking the Dead (2000)

Film career

19822026

Peak 1996 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting79 of 79: 79 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rd

By decade

1980s3 · acting1990s25 · acting2000s13 · acting2010s21 · acting2020s16 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Sue Johnston's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 53rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 33 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

Diana and the Paparazzi (2017)

81st percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Downton Abbey (2010)

Midcredits 98th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Sue Johnston's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 15 · minimalMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles28–59 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles44–70 · median 64 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles16–58 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Sue Johnston work with?

People who share at least 2 of Sue Johnston's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jessica Hynes shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Editors

Producers