
Suranne Jones
Acting
🎂 1978-08-27
Sarah Ann Akers, known professionally as Suranne Jones, is an English actress and producer. Known for her numerous collaborations with screenwriter Sally Wainwright, she rose to prominence playing Karen McDonald on ITV's Coronation Street between 2000 and 2004. Upon leaving, she furthered her television career in drama series such as Vincent (2005–2006), Strictly Confidential (2006), Harley Street (2008), and Unforgiven (2009). Jones starred as Detective Rachel Bailey in the police procedural Scott & Bailey (2011–2016), and garnered further attention with headline roles in Single Father, Five Days (both 2010), A Touch of Cloth (2012–2014), and The Crimson Field (2014). For her portrayal of Gemma Foster—a GP who suffers personal betrayal—in Doctor Foster (2015–2017), Jones received several awards, including the 2016 British Academy Television Award for Best Actress. Subsequent credits include Save Me (2018), Vigil (2021–present), and Gentleman Jack (2019–2022). For the latter, on which she served as executive producer, Jones was again nominated for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress. On stage, Jones has appeared in productions of A Few Good Men (2005), Blithe Spirit (2009), Top Girls (2011), Beautiful Thing (2013), Orlando (2014), and Frozen (2018). Jones was born Sarah Ann Jones in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, on 27 August 1978. She has an older brother named Gary. Jones was raised Catholic; her priest suggested to her father she be christened Sarah Ann(e) instead of Suranne, her great-grandmother's name, as Suranne was not "a proper name". She grew up in a house on Foxdenton Lane, surrounded by two farms and their fields and commented that one of her earliest memories is of "cows looking in the window as we ate our tea". As a child she was talkative, and later recounted that her priest would tell her, "I'm praying you can concentrate just a bit more". Jones was educated at Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School in Middleton. Talking of her childhood, she commented, "I think I always wanted to be different and felt very stifled at school". She also said, "I was bullied at school and I let that get hold of me and withdrew into myself — I regret letting that happen." She became a member of the Oldham Theatre Workshop and completed a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, which she felt "[wasn't] quite the same as drama school"
Cast credits(50)

Self
2007

Karen McDonald / Karen Phillips
1960

Self
2001

Idris
2005

2004
Self
2007

Self
1993

Self
1978

Self - Guest Judge
2019

Anne Lister
2019

Mona Lisa
2007

DCI Amy Silva
2021

Claire McGory
2018

Becca
2023

Victoria
2019

Sister Joan Livesey
2014

Dr Gemma Foster
2015

2008
Abigail Dalton
2025

2002

DI Anne Oldman / DC Anne Oldman
2012

PC Laurie Franklin
2007

2006

Self - Narrator (voice)
2016
Bert

Self - Presenter and Narrator
2024
2002

DC/Sgt. Rachel Bailey
2011

Reader
2024
2010

Ruth Slater
2009

Self
2005

Beth
2005

Eve Caleigh
2012
Suz

Self
1988

Sarah
2010

Carole Mackay
2022

Miss Darcy
2015

Claudia
2018

Sandra
2013

Lila Pettitt
2013

Self
2019

Julie Bottomley
2007

Self
2013

Herself - Narrator
2016

Karen
2018

Sarah
2009
Self - Narrator (voice)
2013
Judy
2004