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Last updated on the 26 March 2025 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 7 December 1943, Warrington, Lancashire, England.
Sue Johnston, a name synonymous with British television, was born Susan Pammenter in the heartland of England. Growing up in a working-class environment, she developed a keen sense of humour and a deep connection to ordinary people that would later define her acting career. Her formative years were marked by a spirit of resilience and a determination to explore the world beyond her hometown.
A spark ignited within Johnston when she discovered the world of drama. This led her to pursue formal training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London. The academy provided the young actress with a solid foundation in acting techniques and a platform to hone her craft. It was during these years that she began to develop her distinctive style, characterised by authenticity and a natural ability to connect with audiences.
Johnston’s career took flight in the 1980s when she landed a pivotal role in the groundbreaking soap opera, Brookside. Her portrayal of Sheila Grant, a complex and multifaceted character, brought her widespread recognition and acclaim.
However, it was her subsequent role as Barbara Royle in the sitcom The Royle Family that cemented her status as a national treasure. Her portrayal of the outspoken and often hilarious matriarch of the Royle family captured the hearts of millions of viewers. Johnston’s comedic timing and ability to find humour in the mundane were instrumental in the show’s enduring success.
In her personal life, Sue Johnston is known for her down-to-earth nature and her passion for social causes. A devoted mother and grandmother, Johnston has been a vocal champion for LGBTQ+ rights and a steadfast supporter of the Labour Party.
Suggested viewing
The Royle Family (1998)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.2
The Royle Family is a comedic portrait of working-class life, centered around a dysfunctional yet endearing family. With a sharp wit and observational humour, the show captures the mundane joys and frustrations of everyday existence, all while offering a warm and relatable look at family dynamics.
Top cast: Sue Johnston, Ricky Tomlinson, Caroline Aherne, Craig Cash, Ralf Little, Jessica Hynes, Liz Smith, Peter Martin, Doreen Keogh, Geoffrey Hughes, Sheridan Smith.
Jam & Jerusalem (2006)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7
Jam & Jerusalem is a heartwarming comedy-drama following the lives of women in a small English village. Centered around a local Women’s Institute, the series explores friendship, community and personal growth through the lens of humourous and relatable characters, tackling themes of loss, resilience and the enduring spirit of village life.
Top cast: Jennifer Saunders, Salima Saxton, Dawn French, Maggie Steed, Rosie Cavaliero, Sally Phillips, Sue Johnston, David Mitchell, Pauline McGlynn.
Waking the Dead (2000)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.9
“Waking the Dead” follows a London police team dedicated to reopening cold cases. This team, composed of detectives, a psychologist and a forensic expert, utilises advanced technology to unearth hidden clues and bring forgotten victims’ stories back into the spotlight.
Top cast: Trevor Eve, Tara Fitzgerald, Sue Johnston, Claire Goose, Wiil Johnson, Felicite du Jeu, Esther Hall, Holly Aird.
Rovers (2016)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.4
Rovers is a British sitcom centered around the lives of the regulars at a struggling non-league football club’s social club. With Doreen as the matriarchal bar manager and a colourful cast of locals including the fanatical Pete, his best friend Tel and the troubled duo Lee and Bruce, the series offers a humorous and heartwarming look at the everyday lives and eccentric personalities of these working-class characters, all bonded by their shared love for the underachieving Rovers football team.
Top cast: Craig Cash, Sue Johnston, Steve Speirs, Lolly Adefope, Jamie Demetriou, Diane Morgan, Pearce Quigley, Joe Wilkinson, David Earl.
The Cockfields (2019)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.4
The Cockfields is a comedy series centered around Simon, a man returning to his Isle of Wight family home with his girlfriend for his 40th birthday. A weekend from hell ensues as Simon is trapped with a dysfunctional family: a domineering mother, an egotistical stepbrother and his father’s younger girlfriend.
Top cast: Sue Johnston, Diane Morgan, Joe Wilkinson, Ben Rufus Green, Susannah Fielding, Sarah Parish, Gregor Fisher, Nigel Havers, Michele Dotrice, Bobby Ball, David Earl.
