Siobhan Margaret Finneran is an English television and film actress. She made her screen debut in the 1987 independent film Rita, Sue and Bob Too, and subsequently worked consistently in television drama including roles in Coronation Street (1989–1990), Clocking Off (2000–2002) and The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006). In 2005, Finneran originated the lead female role in the stage play On the Shore of the Wide World and was awarded the Manchester Evening News Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Also a comedy performer, Finneran appeared as Janice Garvey, a leading character in the first seven series of ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2015). Later television roles include portraying a lawyer in the mini-series Unforgiven (2009), an embittered servant in the first three series of the costume drama Downton Abbey (2010–2012) and a recovering addict in Happy Valley (2014–2023), for which she was nominated for the 2017 British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress. Later film credits include Mrs Swift in the 2013 film release The Selfish Giant, which earned her a British Independent Film Award nomination. Finneran is also a prolific television documentary narrator.
Finneran was born in Oldham, Greater Manchester, then in Lancashire, to Irish parents. She moved with her family to Saddleworth as a young child, and has lived in the area ever since. During childhood Finneran was always drawn to the performing arts and was a fan of the celebrated English comedian Eric Morecambe, recalling that "as a little girl I wanted to be Eric Morecambe. Not to be like him but to actually be him". She completed a theatre studies course.
In 2023, Finneran became patron for Manchester based charity Contact Hostel, an organisation that provides support and accommodation for teenage girls facing homelessness.
The Damned
Helga
2025
Protection
DI Liz Nyles · (6 episodes)
2024
Inside No. 9: The Party's Over
Self
2024
Huggo
Julia
2024
The Reckoning
Beryl Hullighan · (4 episodes)
2023
Rapture
2023
Hunting the Essex Lorry Killers
Self (Narrator)
2021
Time
Marie-Louise O'Dell · (6 episodes)
2021
The Yorkshire Jobcentre
Self - Narrator · (6 episodes)
2020
The Other One
Marilyn · (11 episodes)
2020
Alma's Not Normal
Lin · (12 episodes)
2020
The Stranger
DS Johanna Griffin · (8 episodes)
2020
A Confession
Elaine Pickford · (6 episodes)
2019
Forensics: The Real CSI
Narrator · (21 episodes)
2019
Pond Life
Kath Edlington
2019
The Widow
Sally Newell · (1 episode)
2019
James Bulger: The New Revelations
Narrator
2018
Snatches: Moments from Women's Lives
Jen · (1 episode)
2018
Benidorm: 10 Years on Holiday
Herself
2018
Apostasy
Ivanna
2017
The Loch
DCI Lauren Quigley · (6 episodes)
2017
The Chillenden Murders
Narrator (Voice) · (2 episodes)
2017
The Moorside
DC Christine Freeman · (2 episodes)
2017
Broadcast Signal Intrusion
Jane
2016
Midwinter of the Spirit
Angela Purefoy · (3 episodes)
2015
Nobody from Nowhere
Elizabeth Traven
2014
Happy Valley
Clare Cartwright · (18 episodes)
2014
Inside No. 9
Edith · (1 episode)
2014
The Selfish Giant
Mrs. Swift
2013
The Syndicate
Mandy Atkinson · (6 episodes)
2012
Downton Abbey
Sarah O'Brien · (23 episodes)
2010
Coronation Street: Romanian Holiday
Verity
2009
Unforgiven
Izzie Ingram · (3 episodes)
2009
Apparitions
Sister Ruth · (6 episodes)
2008
Boy A
Kelly
2007
Comedy Showcase
Shirley · (1 episode)
2007
Benidorm
Janice Garvey · (33 episodes)
2007
Benidorm
Janice · (9 episodes)
2007
The Amazing Mrs Pritchard
Beverley Clarke · (6 episodes)
2006
Johnny and the Bomb
Mrs. Bushell · (2 episodes)
2006
Doctor Who
Becka Savage · (1 episode)
2005
Passer By
Helen Keyes · (2 episodes)
2004
Blue Murder
Anita Burgess · (1 episode)
2003
The Royal
Rita Hogg · (1 episode)
2003
Wire in the Blood
(1 episode)
2002
Timeshift
Self - Narrator (voice) · (1 episode)
2002
Sparkhouse
Sue Bolton · (3 episodes)
2002
Harold Shipman: Doctor Death
Kathleen Adanski
2002
The King and Us
Jenny
2002
Blood Strangers
WPC Melanie Whitaker
2002
Clocking Off
Julie O'Neill · (27 episodes)
2000
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates
Peggy Rainford · (1 episode)
1996
Out of the Blue
Fran Paiton · (1 episode)
1995
Peak Practice
Caroline Royal · (1 episode)
1993
Heartbeat
Janet · (1 episode)
1992
Heartbeat
Tax Inspector · (1 episode)
1992
Rita, Sue and Bob Too
Rita
1987
The Stork
Gwenda
Heartbeat
Gloria Brown · (1 episode)
1992
Casualty
Sue Stedding · (1 episode)
1986
Casualty
Mel Riley · (1 episode)
1986
Out of the Dust
Mrs Phillips · (1 episode)
Benidorm
Janice Garvey · (1 episode)