Joanna Scanlan
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- October 27, 1961 in West Kirby, Merseyside, England, UK
- Active Years
- 1987–2026 (40 Years)
- Total Credits
- 108 credits in database
Biography
Joanna Scanlan is a British actress and writer born on 27 October 1961 in West Kirby, Merseyside, England, UK. She has appeared in numerous television shows including The Thick of It, Big School, Puppy Love, No Offence, Requiem, and The Larkins. Her film appearances include Girl with a Pearl Earring, Notes on a Scandal, The Invisible Woman, and Bridget Jones's Baby. Scanlan has received recognition for her work, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the 2020 film After Love.
Career overview
Joanna Scanlan is a British actress known for her work in television and film. She has appeared in a number of notable television series, including The Thick of It, Big School, Puppy Love, No Offence, Requiem, and The Larkins. Scanlan's television career spans over a decade, with her first notable role in The Thick of It in 2005 and her most recent appearance in The Larkins in 2021.
In addition to her television work, Scanlan has also appeared in a number of films, including Girl with a Pearl Earring, Notes on a Scandal, The Invisible Woman, and Bridget Jones's Baby. Her film career has seen her work with a variety of directors and actors, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Scanlan has received recognition for her performances, including a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work in the 2020 film After Love. This award marked a significant achievement for Scanlan, as she was the first person to win the award without being nominated since 2003. With over 100 acting credits to her name, Joanna Scanlan has established herself as a talented and accomplished actress in the British entertainment industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
108 titles- Missed Call (2026)
- Anxious People (2026)
- Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025) as Cathy
- Riot Women (2025) as Beth
- Rhubarb Rhubarb (2025)
- Wicked Little Letters (2024) as Ann
- A Very Royal Scandal (2024) as Amanda Thirsk
- Joy (2024) as Gladys May
- Killed Without A Trace (2024) as Presenter
- The Rising of the Sap (2024) as Elizabeth
- Tabby McTat (2024) as Pat (voice)
- Boat Story (2023) as Pat Tooh
- Secrets of the Aquarium (2023) as Narrator
- Slow Horses (2022) as Moira Tregorian
- Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (2022) as Self – Actor
- Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg (2022) as Self
- The Light in the Hall (2022) as Sharon Roberts
- How the BBC Began (2022) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- This Is Christmas (2022) as Linda
- The Larkins (2021) as Ma Larkin
- After Love (2021) as Mary/Fahima
- Don vs Lightning (2021) as Maggie
- Ropey (2021)
- McDonald & Dodds (2020) as Kelly Mulcreevy
- Avenue 5 (2020) as Johanna
- Dracula (2020) as Mother Superior
- How to Build a Girl (2020) as Mrs. Belling
- Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly (2019) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- The Accident (2019) as Angela Griffiths
- Requiem (2018) as Janice Gray
- Sally4Ever (2018) as Stella
- The Woman in White (2018) as Mrs Vesey
- Hold the Sunset (2018) as Sandra
- Dinnerladies Diaries (2018) as Self
- Wild Honey Pie! (2018) as Janet
- Pin Cushion (2018) as Lyn
- Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams (2017) as Su
- Tulip Fever (2017) as Mrs. Overvalt
- How to Talk to Girls at Parties (2017) as Marion, Enn’s Mother
- Bridget Jones's Baby (2016) as Cathy - Make Up Lady
- Hooten & The Lady (2016)
- Dylan's Room (2016) as Penny
- No Offence (2015) as Vivienne Deering
- No Offence (2015) Associate Producer
- Testament of Youth (2015) as Aunt Belle
- Fungus the Bogeyman (2015) as Mildrew
- The Bad Education Movie (2015) as Susan Poulter
- Fungus The Bogeyman (2015)
- Get Santa (2014) as Ruth
- Puppy Love (2014) as Nana V
- Psychobitches (2013) as Barbara Woodhouse
- Getting On (2013) as Sister Den Flixter
- Getting On (2013) Executive Producer
- Big School (2013) as Mrs Klebb
- The Invisible Woman (2013) as Catherine Dickens
- Death Comes to Pemberley (2013) as Mrs. Reynolds
- Heading Out (2013) as Torla
- 40 Year Old Virgins (2013) as Herself
- Playhouse Presents (2012) as Barbara Woodhouse
- Stella (2012)
- Hot Hot Hot (2011) as Mary-Ann
- The Angina Monologues (2010) as Herself
- The Calling (2010) as Sister Kevin
- Getting On (2009) as Sister Den Flixter
- Getting On (2009) Writer
- In the Loop (2009) as Roz
- Home Time (2009) as Mrs Pitman
- The Other Boleyn Girl (2008) as Midwife
- Would I Lie to You? (2007) as Self
- Stardust (2007) as Mormo
- Jekyll (2007) as Nurse
- The Moon and the Stars (2007) as Daisy Burke
- The Rise of the Nutters (2007) as Terri Coverley
- Grow Your Own (2007) as Barbara
- Spinners and Losers (2007) as Terri Coverly
- Maxwell (2007) as Jennings
- Notes on a Scandal (2006) as Sue Hodge
- The Thick of It (2005) as Terri Coverley
- Kinky Boots (2005) as Trish
- A Little Trip to Heaven (2005) as Josie
- Doctors and Nurses (2004) as Stumpy Yates
- Little Britain (2003) as Lou's Girlfriend Anya
- Girl with a Pearl Earring (2003) as Tanneke
- The Deal (2003) as Sue Nye
- Murder in Mind (2001) as Diana Spearman
- Fun at the Funeral Parlour (2001)
- Terri McIntyre - Classy Bitch (2001)
- My Family (2000) as Dental Assistant
- Human Remains (2000) as Nana
- Cry Wolf (2000) as Julie
- The Announcement (2000) as Debbie
- My Parents Are Aliens (1999) Writer
- Spaced (1999) as Tina
- Coming Soon (1999)
- Coming Soon (1999) as Claudia
- Vanity Fair (1998) as Lady Crawley
- A Rather English Marriage (1998) as Sister
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Clara Trout
- Jane Eyre (1997) as Bessie
- Room 101 (1994) as Self
- Peak Practice (1993) as Midwife
- Murder Most Horrid (1991) as Iris Wood-Newton
- Have I Got News for You (1990) as Self
- One Foot in the Grave (1990) as Gillian
- The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1987) as Audrey Barker
- Have I Got a Bit More News for You as Herself - Panellist
- The Arrival
- Poe as Friend (Voice)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Joanna Scanlan best known for?
Joanna Scanlan is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025), Riot Women (2025), Wicked Little Letters (2024), The Best of Me (2014).
When and where was Joanna Scanlan born?
Joanna Scanlan was born on October 27, 1961 in West Kirby, Merseyside, England, UK.
How many credits does Joanna Scanlan have?
Joanna Scanlan has accumulated over 108 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1987 to 2026.
What is Joanna Scanlan's background in cinema and television?
Joanna Scanlan is a British actress and writer born on 27 October 1961 in West Kirby, Merseyside, England, UK. She has appeared in numerous television shows including The Thick of It, Big School, Puppy Love, No Offence, Requiem, and The Larkins. Her film appearances include Girl with a Pearl Earring, Notes on a Scandal...
Joanna Scanlan by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Murder in Mind (2001) as Diana Spearman — aged about 39
- The Thick of It (2005) as Terri Coverley — aged about 43
- Slow Horses (2022) as Moira Tregorian — aged about 60
- Spaced (1999) as Tina — aged about 37
- Would I Lie to You? (2007) as Self — aged about 45
- One Foot in the Grave (1990) as Gillian — aged about 28
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