Honestly, if you grew up with a telly in the UK, Sue Johnston probably feels like a member of your own family. Maybe she's the mum who’s always got a brew ready, or the sharp-tongued grandma who doesn't miss a trick. She has this way of being everywhere without ever feeling like she’s "celebrity" famous—she's just there, being brilliant.
But here is the thing: Sue Johnston didn't even start acting on screen until she was 38. That’s wild when you think about it. Most people in this industry are looking for the exit by their late 30s, but Sue was just getting warmed up. She’s now 82, and she is still bagging BAFTA nominations and winning Taskmaster specials.
The Breakout: From the Tax Office to Brookside
Before she was Sheila Grant, Sue had a "proper" job. She worked as a higher-grade tax inspector. Can you imagine getting a letter from the Inland Revenue and realizing it was signed by Barbara Royle? It’s a hilarious thought. She also worked for Brian Epstein, the man who managed The Beatles. Growing up in Merseyside in the '60s, she was right in the middle of the Merseybeat explosion. She even dated a member of the Swinging Blue Jeans.
Her life wasn't all glitz, though. Far from it.
She finally got her break in 1982. It was the launch night of Channel 4, and there she was on Brookside. As Sheila Grant, she became the beating heart of the show. People forget how gritty that soap was back then. The storyline where Sheila was raped was groundbreaking and, for Sue, deeply personal—she had survived a sexual assault herself in 1970. She used that trauma to bring a level of raw, painful honesty to the screen that most actors can only dream of.
That Royle Family Magic
You can't talk about Sue Johnston without talking about the Royles.
For many of us, The Royle Family is the peak of British comedy. It’s basically just people sitting in a living room, smoking, eating Pringles, and watching the telly. It shouldn't work. But it does because of the chemistry. When Sue teamed back up with her Brookside husband Ricky Tomlinson, they created something legendary.
As Barbara, she was the glue. She was the one constantly asking if anyone wanted a "nice piece of ham" while Dave and Jim sat like statues. She won a British Comedy Award for it in 2000, and honestly, she deserved ten more. She actually had to smoke low-tar cigarettes on set despite having quit years prior. That's commitment to the craft, or at least commitment to the character’s nicotine habit.
Waking the Dead and the "Denker" Era
If you thought she was only good for a laugh, you clearly missed her decade-long stint on Waking the Dead. Playing psychological profiler Grace Foley, she showed a completely different side—steely, intelligent, and serious. It’s a testament to her range that she can go from the chaotic living room of the Royles to a cold-case police unit without anyone blinking an eye.
Then came Downton Abbey.
Seeing her as Miss Denker, the lady’s maid to Dame Maggie Smith’s Dowager Countess, was a treat. Watching those two legends trade barbs was like watching a masterclass in "acting with your eyebrows." She played Denker with a sort of sly, manipulative glee that was a total departure from the warm-hearted roles she’s usually known for.
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Why She Matters in 2026
Ageism is a massive problem in entertainment, but Sue Johnston just ignores it. Last year, in 2025, she was nominated for a BAFTA for her role in Truelove, a Channel 4 drama about assisted dying. It was heavy, beautiful, and deeply moving.
She also won the Taskmaster New Year Treat at the start of 2025. Watching an 81-year-old woman navigate Greg Davies’ ridiculous challenges with more energy than people half her age was a joy. She’s a Freeman of the City of Liverpool now, too. A true Scouse icon.
What Most People Miss About Sue
It hasn't been an easy ride. She’s been open about her struggles:
- A miscarriage early in her first marriage.
- The trauma of her 1970 assault.
- Her complicated relationship with her mother, which she detailed in her memoir Things I Couldn't Tell My Mother.
- Her dad basically equated acting with prostitution because he just didn't get the industry.
She’s a massive Liverpool FC fan (you’ll often find her at Anfield) and a fierce campaigner for gay rights and the Labour Party. She’s not just an actress; she’s a woman with a backbone.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you want to truly appreciate the depth of Sue Johnston’s career beyond the "mum" roles, here is how to dive in:
- Watch "Truelove" (2024): It’s some of her best recent work. It tackles the ethics of death with incredible nuance.
- Read "Things I Couldn't Tell My Mother": It’s a brutally honest memoir. It changes how you see her "warm" public persona by showing the grit underneath.
- Revisit "Brookside" early episodes: If you can find them, watch the Grant family storylines. It’s a masterclass in social realism that feels just as relevant today.
- Look for her in "Time" (2021): Her performance as June Cobden is brief but will absolutely wreck you.
Sue Johnston is a reminder that you don't have to start early to be the best. She’s proof that "old age ain’t for sissies," as she likes to say. Whether she's Sheila, Barbara, or just Sue from Warrington, she remains one of the most authentic voices in British culture.