Suranne Jones definitely has the Midas touch when it comes to TV roles, but she seems to be just as lucky in her love life, too – just ask her long-term partner!
The popular actress returns to our screens this week, albeit doing something completely different. Instead of acting, she’s presenting a new Channel 4 documentary about witches…
In Suranne Jones: Investigating Witch Trials, she goes on an “epic journey”, and you could say that’s been true in real life, too. Here’s everything you need to know about Suranne Jones, her partner, the tragic death of her parents, and why she felt used at Corrie…
What is Suranne Jones famous for?
Suranne Jones is a popular TV actress found fame playing Karen McDonald in Coronation Street. She played the mouthy character on the cobbles between 2000 and 2004.
However, she started her TV career in 1997, playing another character in the ITV soap. She popped up as Mandy Phillips in one episode, and obviously made an impression as they asked her back permanently three years later to play Karen.
After leaving the popular ITV soap, she went on to play Beth opposite Ray Winstone in Vincent, Linda Nelson in Strictly Confidential, Dr Martha Elliot in Harley Street, and Ruth Slater in Unforgiven.
She also portrayed PC Laurie Franklin in the hard-hitting Five Days, Sister Joan Livesey in period drama The Crimson Field, and DC Anne Oldman in A Touch of Cloth.
Between 2011 and 2016, she starred in the popular detective drama Scott & Bailey, opposite Lesley Sharp. Another huge role followed in 2015, when she played Gemma Foster in Doctor Foster.
She won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress in 2016 for her portrayal of the wronged woman.
In 2019, Suranne began portraying Anne Lister in Gentleman Jack. She also played Amy Silva in Vigil, Claire McGory in Save Me, and Becca in Maryland.
When was Suranne in Coronation Street?
Suranne’s first stint in Corrie was back in 1997, when she appeared in one episode as a character called Mandy Phillips. She had a one-night stand with womanising mechanic Chris Collins.
Three years later, Suranne returned to the cobbles as Karen Phillips. Karen soon fell for rogueish Steve McDonald. The pair got engaged after Karen had a bet with Janice Battersby, and went through with the wedding because neither of them wanted to back down!
However, their relationship was real, albeit rocky. They also had a fake break-up in order for Karen to have the wedding of her dreams.
Karen and Tracy Barlow – who’d had Steve’s baby, Amy – had a long-running feud that included a brawl at Amy’s christening, and a dramatic rooftop confrontation.
Suranne scooped Best Actress at the British Soap Awards in 2004, shortly before she announced she was leaving the Street.
Will Suranne Jones ever return to Coronation Street?
Sadly for those hoping for a Karen McDonald return, Suranne has ruled out going back to her Corrie days. In fact, she has said she’s rather quit acting altogether than return to the soap.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday in 2020, the actress said: “I don’t blame a lot of people for taking a break and then going back. It’s a steady job, regular income.
“But I was determined. I felt that if I didn’t make it, I would then go and teach rather than repeat myself back at Corrie.”
She has also hit out at the soap bosses for “using her”. Suranne explained that her time on the cobbles was marred by being pushed to do “dodgy” photoshoots.
She said to the Give Me Strength podcast: “The first few months was about me being whisked off and put in a bikini in Barbados. At this time, I’d only been on one holiday abroad to Spain with my mates. Then I was put in a magazine with a bra and knickers on.
“They’d give you a glass of champagne to get you a little loose. I remember thinking it was fun at first, but I realised it wasn’t what I signed up to.”
She added: “There are some dodgy photos out there. I don’t think Coronation Street was alone in that. I think all of the soaps used their girls in that way.”
