Nook NotesPick a film
Sue Johnston

Actor

Sue Johnston

Born December 7, 1943 in Warrington, Cheshire, England, UK31 films

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.

Start here

The best way into Sue Johnston's work
Imagine Me & You posterFirst watchImagine Me & You20067.6as EllaDuring her wedding ceremony, Rachel notices Luce in the audience and feels instantly drawn to her. The two women become close friends, and when Rachel learns that Luce is a lesbian, she…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

31 films as actor
  1. TBABilbyNancy
  2. 2026The Broken ArrowMrs. Barnes
  3. 2026Welcome to BoroviaMatrashka
  4. 2025StuffedLily
  5. 2025Fackham HallGreat Aunt Bonaparte
  6. 2025Big WinnersEdith Thistle
  7. 2022Downton Abbey: A New EraGladys Denker
  8. 2021HelpGloria
  9. 2019The CureBella Bailey
  10. 2018Death on the TyneColleen
  11. 2018Walk Like a PantherGladys
  12. 2016Golden YearsNancy
  13. 2014Caring for the Recently DeceasedMarjoram Bryon
  14. 2012The Royle Family: Barbara's Old RingBarbara Royle
  15. 2011LaplandEileen Lewis
  16. 2010The Royle Family: Joe's CrackersBarbara
  17. 2009The Turn of the ScrewSarah Grose
  18. 2009The Golden Egg CupBarbara Royle
  19. 2008The Royle Family: The New SofaBarbara Royle
  20. 2006Imagine Me & YouElla
  21. 2001New Year's DayMrs. Fisher
  22. 2001ScoreMaggie
  23. 1999Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll
  24. 1998Brookside: Friday the 13thSheila Grant
  25. 1998The Things You Do for Love: Against the OddsPat Phoenix
  26. 1997Brookside: The Lost WeekendSheila Grant
  27. 1997FaceAlice
  28. 1997Preaching to the PervertedEsmeralda
  29. 1996Brassed OffVera
  30. 1994Measure for MeasureMistress Overdone
  31. 1992Bitter HarvestMiriam Johnson