Suranne Jones

Jones was born Sarah Ann Jones in Chadderton, Greater Manchester,{{cite news |url= http://www.oldhamadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/503963_suranne_prefers_home_to_a_few_good_men|work=Oldham Advertiser|publisher=Trinity Mirror|title=Suranne prefers home to 'A Few Good Men'|first=Ian|last=Wylie|date=14 September 2005|access-date=21 December 2008}}{{cite news |url= https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/suranne-jones-save-me-claire-13576833|work=Manchester Evening News|publisher=Reach plc|title=Who is Suranne Jones? Everything you need to know about the Save Me and Doctor Foster star|first=Katie|last=Fitzpatrick|date=20 February 2018|access-date=28 September 2021}} on 27 August 1978. She has an older brother named Gary.{{cite news|author=Sue Crawford |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interview+Suranne+Jones%3A+Me+get+married%3F+Don't+bet+on+it%3B+Coronation...-a074728738 |work=The Mirror|publisher=Trinity Mirror|title=Interview Suranne Jones: Me get married? Don't bet on it|date=19 May 2001|access-date=27 August 2011}} Jones was raised Catholic; her priest suggested to her father she be christened Sarah Ann(e) instead of Suranne, her great-grandmother's name, as Suranne was not "a proper name".{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/a-piece-of-my-mind-suranne-jones-actress-1.836889 |work=The Herald|publisher=Newsquest|title=A Piece of my Mind: Suranne Jones, Actress

|date=5 July 2008|access-date=15 June 2011}}

She grew up in a house on Foxdenton Lane,{{cite news |url=http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/101/features/84562/starstruck-by-a-telly-favourite|work=Oldham Chronicle|title=Starstruck by a telly favourite

|first=Martyn|last=Torr|date=11 February 2014|access-date=9 August 2014}} surrounded by two farms and their fields and commented that one of her earliest memories is of "cows looking in the window as we ate our tea". As a child she was talkative, and later recounted that her priest would tell her, "I'm praying you can concentrate just a bit more".

Jones was educated at Cardinal Langley Roman Catholic High School in Middleton. Talking of her childhood, she commented, "I think I always wanted to be different and felt very stifled at school". She also said, "I was bullied at school and I let that get hold of me and withdrew into myself — I regret letting that happen."{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2005/sep/24/weekend7.weekend |work=The Guardian|title=Q&A: Suranne Jones, actor|first=Rosanna|last=Greenstreet|date=24 September 2005|access-date=15 June 2011}} She became a member of the Oldham Theatre Workshop{{cite news |url= http://www.citylife.co.uk/news_and_reviews/news/9769_showbiz_secrets_in_safe_hands|work=City Life|title=Showbiz secrets in safe hands|first=Carmel|last=Thomason|date=8 February 2006|access-date=7 June 2011}} and completed a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, which she felt "[wasn't] quite the same as drama school".{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8707071/Racist-historian-David-Starkey-is-sunk-by-Rastamouse.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/8707071/Racist-historian-David-Starkey-is-sunk-by-Rastamouse.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Suranne Jones hits back at 'snobs' |first=Tim|last=Walker|date=18 August 2011|access-date=27 August 2011}}{{cbignore}}

Jones began acting professionally aged 16.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/not-just-anybody-suranne-jones-kdwkfbbwkfn|work=The Times|publisher=News Corporation|title=Not just anybody: Suranne Jones|first=Anna|last=Shepard|date=20 August 2005|access-date=20 June 2011}} Andrew Billen of The Times, acknowledging her professional career beginnings at 16, wrote that "she took to the stage at 8".{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/what-suranne-jones-did-next-0k5nkwlh202|work=The Times|publisher=News Corporation|title=What Suranne Jones did next|first=Andrew|last=Billen|date=17 February 2010|access-date=17 June 2011}} Jones later said that her first role was at the age of 8, in Wait Until Dark as Gloria.{{cite news |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/showbiz/interviews/871515-suranne-jones-i-was-banned-after-saying-penis-on-stage|work=Metro|publisher=Associated Newspapers|title=Suranne Jones: I was banned after saying 'penis' on stage|first=Andrew|last=Williams|date=5 August 2011|access-date=11 August 2011}}

Upon joining the trade union Equity, Jones took on the stage name "Suranne Jones", as her birth name was already taken, and union rules dictate that each union member must have a different name. Having obtained an agent at 15, she began to act in the theatre. Jones's television career began in 1997, with a small role in Coronation Street in April 1997 as Mandy Phillips, a girlfriend of Chris Collins (Matthew Marsden). She was then cast in a television advert for Maltesers, guest starred in episodes of series such as City Central and had a small role in My Wonderful Life. She auditioned for the role of Charity Dingle on the soap opera Emmerdale, becoming one of the final four actresses considered for the part, although the role was eventually given to Emma Atkins. She also auditioned for the part of Geena Gregory on Coronation Street, although she felt she knew Jennifer James would win the role — which she did — upon seeing her at the auditions.

In 2000, some weeks after her unsuccessful audition for Geena Gregory, Jones was contacted by Coronation Street bosses, who offered her the part of a new character. Jones took on the role of Karen Phillips (no relation to Mandy), making her first appearance on 21 June. The character, after marrying Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), took on his surname, and became Karen McDonald. Described as "a bulldog in hoop earrings" and a "Victoria Beckham wannabe",{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/no-more-tears-why-suranne-jones-has-plenty-to-smile-about-1880962.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/no-more-tears-why-suranne-jones-has-plenty-to-smile-about-1880962.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print Limited|title=No more tears: Why Suranne Jones has plenty to smile about|first=Gerard|last=Gilbert|date=31 January 2010|access-date=15 June 2011}} the role garnered Jones public attention, with episodes involving feuds between her and rival Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) receiving high viewing ratings.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} Jones also began modelling for men's magazines such as FHM and Loaded, saying: "I was 21, and within three weeks of me joining Corrie I was in Barbados doing a bikini shoot [...] I was quite impressionable and I'd just say yes to everything because I wanted to keep my job. The press officer is saying: 'Do this and you'll be the new young funky sexy girl.' We were all doing it at that time, but I realised quite quickly that I needed to concentrate on what I was doing".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/nov/16/suranne-jones-crickley-hall|work=The Guardian|title=Suranne Jones: 'My characters are really strong, miserable or tortured'|first=Hannah|last=Verdier|date=16 November 2012|access-date=10 August 2014}}

In May 2004, it was announced that Jones was to leave Coronation Street after four years of playing Karen. She described working on a soap opera as "exhausting", remarking, "I was living and breathing Karen McDonald". She made her last appearance as Karen on Boxing Day 2004. Of her tenure as Karen McDonald on Coronation Street, Jones later remarked: "I just thought, while she's brilliant and I'm enjoying her, I've got to get out".

{{Quote box|quote="You have to believe you can have a life after a soap."|source=Jones, in an interview with The Observer{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2011/jul/17/suranne-jones-coronation-street-theatre-lamont|work=The Observer|publisher=Guardian Media Group|title=Suranne Jones: 'You have to believe there is life after a soap'|first=Tom|last=Lamont|date=17 July 2011|access-date=17 July 2011}}}}

Jones stated that upon her departure from Coronation Street, she received numerous offers to appear in reality TV programmes, which she declined, quipping: "lots of money to go off and eat a crocodile's knob, or whatever". Ignoring reality TV offers, in autumn 2005, Jones starred in an ITV's detective drama series Vincent,{{cite news |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a18167/ex-corrie-star-in-new-drama.html|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Corporation|title=Ex-'Corrie' star in new drama|first=Daniel|last=Saney|date=7 January 2005|access-date=6 July 2011}} with Ray Winstone in the title role; this was Jones's first television role since leaving Coronation Street the previous year. In the same year, she starred on the West End stage in A Few Good Men opposite Rob Lowe and John Barrowman, which earned her the Theatregoers' Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress.{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831353059271/Suranne+Jones+returns+to+the+West+End+to+star+in+Beautiful+Thing.html|title= Suranne Jones returns to the West End to star in Beautiful Thing|last=Bannister|first=Rosie|date=16 November 2012|access-date=16 April 2013|work=The Stage|publisher=The Stage Media Company Limited}} She also appeared in the musical special Celebrate Oliver! which was screened on BBC1. In 2006, she starred as Snow White in the pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at the Manchester Opera House alongside Justin Moorhouse and fellow Coronation Street actor John Savident. She also appeared in Kay Mellor's Strictly Confidential, in which she played a bisexual sex therapist.{{cite news |url=http://www.people.co.uk/archive/other/2006/11/12/i-m-open-minded-girl-but-having-sex-on-the-screen-with-men-and-women-wasn-t-easy-93463-18083520/|publisher=People.co.uk|title=I'm an open-minded girl but having sex on the screen with men and women wasn't easy|first=Jon|last=Wise|date=12 November 2006 |access-date=16 June 2011}}

On New Year's Day 2007, Jones starred in a Yorkshire- and London-based black comedy, Dead Clever with Helen Baxendale and Dean Lennox Kelly on ITV1. In autumn 2007, Jones undertook a national tour in the stage run of the film Terms of Endearment, where she played Emma, opposite Linda Gray and John Bowe.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/northyorkshire/content/articles/2007/08/30/review_terms_of_endearment_feature.shtml |title=Review: Terms of Endearment|date=30 August 2007|publisher=BBC|access-date=16 June 2011}} In 2008 she played Martha, one of the female leads, in the ITV medical series Harley Street. Her performance drew mixed reviews, with one critic commenting on her character's "ludicrous" received pronunciation accent;{{cite magazine |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/tv-critics-13-january-09/1964056.article|magazine=Broadcast|title=TV Critics 13 January '09|first=Jon|last=Rogers|date=13 January 2009 |access-date=13 August 2012}} the programme's tepid critical reception, combined with poor viewer ratings, signalled its end after just one series.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a205977/suranne-reflects-on-harley-st-failure.html|work=Digital Spy|publisher=Hearst Corporation|title=Suranne reflects on 'Harley St' failure|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|date=10 March 2010|access-date=27 August 2011}}

In January 2009, Jones appeared in Unforgiven, a three-part drama on ITV1, where she plays Ruth Slater, a woman released from prison after serving a 15-year prison sentence for the murder of two policemen.{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/Drama/contemporary/Unforgiven/default.html|title=Unforgiven|date=January 2009|publisher=itv.com|access-date=21 January 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118230253/http://www.itv.com/Drama/contemporary/Unforgiven/default.html|archive-date=18 January 2009}} Naturally brown-haired, Jones dyed her hair "tobacco yellow" with "big roots";{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7823134.stm|publisher=BBC|title=Talking Shop: Suranne Jones|first=Rebecca|last=Thomas|date=12 January 2009|access-date=20 June 2011}} Jones joked that whilst not filming she "really should have worn a wig". Additionally, the character of Ruth wore no make-up throughout, with Jones stating she was left feeling "quite exposed", but nonetheless saying "Ruth wouldn't have worn any make-up, I don't think". Jones received favourable reviews for her portrayal, with Brian Viner of The Independent writing: "a stunning performance, the stuff of Bafta nominations if ever I saw it. Heck, on the back of it she might even get propelled into the movies, and bring a bit of North Country sense to the Golden Globes".{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/last-nights-television-unforgiven-itv1-million-dollar-traders-bbc2-1331682.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/last-nights-television-unforgiven-itv1-million-dollar-traders-bbc2-1331682.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print Limited|title=Last Night's Television -Unforgiven, ITV1; Million Dollar Traders, BBC2

|first=Brian|last=Viner|date=13 January 2009|access-date=15 June 2011}} Viner summarised his review of Unforgiven by stating, "Five stars all round, and six for Jones". Jones later stated, "I loved that role. They don't come along that often. It was seen by the broadsheets as well as the tabloids. It gave me a little bit of credibility, I suppose".

Later in the year, in November, she played the role of the Mona Lisa in the two-part episode "Mona Lisa's Revenge" in The Sarah Jane Adventures. In December, Jones starred in the Manchester Royal Exchange's production of Blithe Spirit, by Noël Coward, which ran until late January 2010.{{cite news|url=http://www.citylife.co.uk/news_and_reviews/reviews/10017492_excellent_cast_makes_blithe_spirit_sparkle |work=City Life|title= Excellent cast makes Blithe Spirit sparkle|first=Carmel|last=Thomason|date=16 December 2009|access-date=16 June 2011}} Jones was nominated for the Times Breakthrough Award at the 2010 South Bank Show Awards, the last ever ceremony, but lost to David Blandy.{{cite news |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/27049/donmar-warehouse-scoops-south-bank-show-award|work=The Stage|publisher=The Stage Media Company Limited|title=Donmar Warehouse scoops South Bank Show Award|first=Matthew|last=Hemley|date=26 January 2010|access-date=16 June 2011}} When discussing her nomination she said, "You do question 'What am I breaking through?' Am I breaking through the perception of people who just thought I was a screaming banshee in Coronation Street? Is it that I've worked hard and I've got better? Is it that now it's alright to say that I'm alright? I don't know what I was breaking through, but I knew that it was nice to feel included and patted on the back for a lot of hard work".{{cite news|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/suranne-jones-117247/|title=The Big Interview: Suranne Jones|date=17 August 2011|access-date=31 October 2017|publisher=OfficialLondonTheatre.com}} Jones was described by Andrew Billen of The Times as being in a category of "those brave, talented few who earn their wings on a soap and then fly gloriously beyond it". In March 2010 Jones starred in Five Days, a non-connected sequel to the 2007 series of the same name, as the female lead DC Laurie Franklin. Later in the year, she starred as Sarah in Single Father on BBC1, a character who falls in love with a widower, Dave (David Tennant), who was married to her best friend before her death.

On 18 December 2010, a cover of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" featuring Jones, by the Manchester Show Choir, was released.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

In May 2011, Jones played the central character of Idris in the Doctor Who episode "The Doctor's Wife"; when the 'soul' of the Doctor's TARDIS is extracted from the ship, Idris becomes its new host, allowing the TARDIS to talk with the Doctor through Idris. Jones was cast due to writer Neil Gaiman wanting an actress, in the words of Jones, who is "odd; beautiful but strange-looking, and quite funny" to play the role of Idris.{{cite web |url=http://www.cultbox.co.uk/interviews/exclusives/1025-suranne-jones-doctor-who-interview |title=Suranne Jones ('Doctor Who') interview |first=Will |last=Martin |date=14 May 2011 |access-date=20 May 2011 |work=Cult Box}} Dan Martin, the reviewer for The Guardian, noted that "Suranne Jones arguably sets the standard by which all guest stars must now be judged here [...] Jones was electrifying throughout".{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/may/14/doctor-who-doctors-wife-gaiman|title=Doctor Who: The Doctor's Wife – Series 32, episode 4|last=Martin|first=Dan|date=14 May 2010|work=The Guardian|access-date=15 May 2011|location=London}} Also in May, Jones played DC Rachel Bailey in ITV's detective series, Scott & Bailey, opposite Lesley Sharp, who plays DC Janet Scott. The series is based upon an original idea by Jones and Sally Lindsay, her former Coronation Street co-star.{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/presspacks/scottandbaileypresspack/default.html|title=Scott and Bailey press pack|date=16 May 2011|access-date=15 June 2011|work=ITV|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602011420/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/presspacks/scottandbaileypresspack/default.html|archive-date=2 June 2011}} After strong viewing figures and moderate critical success Scott & Bailey returned for a further four series between 2012 and 2016, with Jones serving as an executive producer on series five.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

In July 2011, Jones starred as Marlene, a career woman living in Thatcher's Britain, in the Minerva Theatre's production of Top Girls by Caryl Churchill in Chichester. Michael Billington, reviewing it for The Guardian, remarked that "Suranne Jones captures excellently the hidden regrets of the go-getting Marlene".{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/jul/04/top-girls-review|title=Top Girls — review |first=Michael|last=Billington |date=4 July 2011|access-date=6 July 2011|work=The Guardian}} The production was later transferred to the West End's Trafalgar Studios.{{cite news|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/review-23978889-top-girls-trafalgar-studios---review.do|title=Top Girls, Trafalgar Studios — review|first=Fiona|last=Mountford|date=17 August 2011|access-date=26 August 2011|work=Evening Standard|publisher=Associated Newspapers|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927053733/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/theatre/review-23978889-top-girls-trafalgar-studios---review.do|archive-date=27 September 2011}} In August 2011, it was announced that Jones would star alongside John Hannah in a spoof detective drama written by Charlie Brooker and Daniel Maier called A Touch of Cloth.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/aug/26/charlie-brooker-spoof-crime-drama-sky1|title=Charlie Brooker pens spoof crime drama for Sky1 |first=John|last=Plunkett |date=26 August 2011|access-date=26 August 2011|work=The Guardian}} The programme aired in August 2012 on Sky1. Jones plays DC Anne Oldman,{{cite news |url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/drama/tv-news/news/suranne-and-john-hannah-to-star-in-detective-spoof/13778|title=Suranne and John Hannah to star in detective spoof |date=26 August 2011|access-date=26 August 2011|work=What's on TV|publisher=IPC Media}} the "plucky, no-nonsense sidekick" of DCI Jack Cloth (Hannah). In March 2012, Jones began filming The Secret of Crickley Hall, a BBC1 dramatisation of the 2006 best-selling novel by James Herbert. She plays the lead role of Eve Caleigh, a woman who moves to Crickley Hall in an attempt to move on from the loss of her son, only to be haunted by supernatural occurrences. Jones described the series as a "classic haunted house spine-chiller with an emotional family story at its heart."{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-03-07/suranne-jones-to-star-in-bbc1%27s-secret-of-crickley-hall|title=Suranne Jones to star in BBC1's Secret of Crickley Hall|work=Radio Times|publisher=Immediate Media Company|last=Seale|first=Jack|date=7 March 2012|access-date=30 March 2012}} Jones returned to the London stage in 2013 in a 20th-anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey's play, Beautiful Thing. The play ran between 13 April and 25 May at the Arts Theatre, London, before a short national tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/production/2012/11/suranne-jones-to-star-in-revival-of-beautiful-thing-at-the-arts-theatre/|title=Suranne Jones to star in revival of Beautiful Thing at the Arts Theatre|last=Hemley|first=Matthew|work=The Stage|date=16 November 2012|access-date=27 November 2012}}

In 2013, Jones starred as herself in Playhouse Presents: "Stage Door Johnnies", a comedy mockumentary about obsessive theatre fans airing on Sky Arts.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-01-17/kylie-minogue-idris-elba-suranne-jones-anna-friel-for-new-series-of-sky-arts-playhouse-presents|title=Kylie Minogue, Idris Elba, Suranne Jones, Anna Friel for new series of Sky Arts Playhouse Presents|work=Radio Times|publisher=Immediate Media Company|last=Seale|first=Jack|date=17 January 2013|access-date=17 January 2013}} Later that year, Jones played a young judge "battling to keep her head above water in the murky depths of the justice system" in Lawless, a television pilot, broadcast on Sky1 as part of its Drama Matters strand.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a494079/suranne-jones-russell-tovey-freema-agyeman-for-new-sky-drama-pilots.html|title=Suranne Jones, Russell Tovey, Freema Agyeman for new Sky drama pilots|work=Digital Spy|last=Jeffery|first=Morgan|date=28 June 2013|access-date=17 July 2013}} In August 2013, it was announced that Jones was cast opposite Hermione Norris and Oona Chaplin in The Crimson Field, a BBC drama set in a field hospital in France during the First World War.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10226175/Hermione-Norris-Oona-Chaplin-and-Suranne-Jones-in-cast-of-field-hospital-drama-The-Ark.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10226175/Hermione-Norris-Oona-Chaplin-and-Suranne-Jones-in-cast-of-field-hospital-drama-The-Ark.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Hermione Norris, Oona Chaplin and Suranne Jones in cast of field hospital drama, The Ark|work=The Daily Telegraph|last=Vincent|first=Alice|date=7 August 2013|access-date=8 August 2013}}{{cbignore}} The drama, which was broadcast in April 2014, marked Jones's first acting appearance in a period drama. In February 2014, Jones starred in Sarah Ruhl's stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Orlando at the Royal Exchange in Manchester. The play received generally positive reviews from critics, with Jones's performance being described as "superb" by Matt Trueman in The Guardian.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/mar/02/orlando-suranne-jones-virginia-woolf-manchester-review|title=Suranne Jones makes two hours and 400 years pass in a flash|work=The Guardian|last=Trueman|first=Matt|date=2 March 2014|access-date=3 March 2014}}

In September 2015, Jones starred as the title character in the BBC One thriller Doctor Foster, as a GP whose life begins to unravel when she suspects her husband of infidelity.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/sep/10/doctor-foster-review-suranne-jones-bertie-carvel|title=Doctor Foster review – gripping portrait of a marriage slowly being poisoned|author=Lucy Mangan|work=The Guardian|date=10 September 2015 }} The programme earned widespread critical acclaim, with Radio Times noting that "a career-best Suranne Jones was unstoppably brilliant";{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-12-30/radio-times-top-40-tv-shows-of-2015-10-to-1|title=Radio Times Top 40 TV Shows of 2015: 10 to 1|work=Radio Times|date=30 December 2015|access-date=31 December 2015}} the magazine placed Doctor Foster second in a roundup of the Top 40 best television shows of 2015. For her performance, Jones received the National Television Award for Best Drama Performance,{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaltvawards.com/winners| title=Winners — National Television Awards|author=National Television Awards|work=nationaltvawards.com}} the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Actress,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/mar/11/wolf-hall-mark-rylance-broadcasting-press-guild-awards|title=Wolf Hall's Mark Rylance wins best actor at Broadcasting Press Guild awards|work=The Guardian|last=Plunkett|first=John|date=11 March 2016|access-date=11 March 2016}} the Royal Television Society Award for Best Actor (female){{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-03-23/lenny-henry-michaela-coel-and-suranne-jones-triumph-at-the-royal-television-society-awards-2016|title=Lenny Henry, Michaela Coel and Suranne Jones triumph at the Royal Television Society Awards 2016|work=Radio Times|last=Delgado|first=Kasia|date=23 March 2016|access-date=23 March 2016}} and the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress at the respective 2016 ceremonies.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/08/doctor-fosters-suranne-jones-wins-tv-bafta-for-leading-actress/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/08/doctor-fosters-suranne-jones-wins-tv-bafta-for-leading-actress/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Doctor Foster's Suranne Jones wins TV Bafta for Leading Actress|work=Daily Telegraph|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|date=9 May 2016|access-date=21 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}

In September 2017, the second series of Doctor Foster premiered, garnering positive critical reception.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/sep/19/tuesdays-best-tv-doctor-foster-saving-lives-at-sea-quacks|title=Tuesday's best TV: Doctor Foster; Saving Lives at Sea; Quacks|newspaper=The Guardian|last=Verdier|first=Hannah|date=19 September 2017|access-date=2 July 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/09/05/doctor-foster-series-two-episode-one-review-tuesday-evenings/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/09/05/doctor-foster-series-two-episode-one-review-tuesday-evenings/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Doctor Foster, series two, episode one, review: This is what Tuesday evenings were made for, if your nerves can stand it|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|last=Lawrence|first=Ben|date=5 September 2017|access-date=2 July 2018}}{{cbignore}} Jones, originally hesitant to film another series, was persuaded after hearing writer Mike Bartlett's plans for the script.{{cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/634448/Suranne-Jones-reluctance-Doctor-Foster|title='I wondered what the hook would be' Suranne Jones admits reluctance over new Doctor Foster

|newspaper=Daily Express|date=13 January 2016|access-date=2 July 2018}} She also served as associate producer for the programme's second series, which was filmed in autumn 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/doctor-foster-s2-filming|title=Second series of multi-award winning drama Doctor Foster begins filming with Suranne Jones|work=BBC Media Centre|date=28 September 2016|access-date=2 July 2018}}

The same month, shooting began for an ensemble cast production of Vanity Fair, based on the 1848 novel of the same name.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/09/vanity-fair-suranne-jones-michael-palin-olivia-cooke-itv-amazon-drama-first-photo-1202176149/|title='Vanity Fair': Suranne Jones, Michael Palin Join Olivia Cooke In ITV/Amazon Drama|work=Deadline|date=25 September 2017|access-date=22 December 2021|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy}} Airing the following September, Jones played the role of Miss Pinkerton, the haughty former headmistress of protagonist Becky Sharp (Olivia Cooke).{{cite magazine|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/a22623180/vanity-fair-itv-drama-cast-launch/|title=Vanity Fair: Everything you need to know about ITV's next big period drama|magazine=Harper's Bazaar|date=23 August 2018|access-date=19 January 2020|last=Gordon|first=Naomi}} In February 2018, Jones starred in the Sky Atlantic drama Save Me, playing the mother of a missing teen. Jones's performance received positive reviews, with Rebecca Nicholson of The Guardian writing: "you get the impression that Jones could act grief in her sleep, but she is impressively subtle here".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/feb/28/save-me-review-suranne-jones-drama-benidorm|title=Save Me review – Suranne Jones shines as a grief-stricken mother in a complex mystery|work=The Guardian|date=28 February 2018|access-date=19 January 2020|last=Nicholson|first=Rebecca}}

From February to May 2018, Jones returned to the West End in a revival of Bryony Lavery's stage play Frozen at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Jones portrayed Nancy, the grieving mother of an abducted child opposite Jason Watkins.{{cite web|url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/2017/suranne-jones-jason-watkins-star-revival-serial-killer-play/|title=Suranne Jones and Jason Watkins to star in revival of serial killer play|work=The Stage|date=1 September 2017|access-date=2 September 2017|last=Bano|first=Tim}}{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/theatre/suranne-jones-to-star-as-mother-of-abducted-daughter-in-west-end-play-frozen-a3624686.html|title=Suranne Jones to star as mother of abducted daughter in West End play Frozen|work=Evening Standard|date=1 September 2017|access-date=2 September 2017|last=Dex|first=Robert}} While the production received mixed reviews, Jones's performance was well received, described as "unflinchingly truthful and spontaneous" by The Independent.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/frozen-theatre-royal-haymarket-london-review-a8221576.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/frozen-theatre-royal-haymarket-london-review-a8221576.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Frozen, Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, review: Suranne Jones wrenches the heart in central performance|work=The Independent|date=21 February 2018|access-date=2 July 2018|last=Taylor|first=Paul}} Jones missed the last four performances of the show's three-month run due to illness, citing the play's "deeply affecting" subject matter as a contributing factor.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44024889|title=Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones pulls out of West End play|work=BBC News|date=6 May 2018|access-date=2 July 2018|last=Percival|first=Ash}}{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/suranne-jones-frozen-west-end-play-pulls-out-illness_uk_5af008e6e4b041fd2d283f9d|title=Suranne Jones Says 'Deeply Affecting' Play 'Took Its Toll' As She Pulls Out Of West End Role Due To Illness|work=Huffington Post|date=7 May 2018|access-date=2 July 2018|last=Percival|first=Ash}}

Later in May, Jones began filming BBC and HBO co-production Gentleman Jack, written, produced and directed by Sally Wainwright. Jones had signed on in July 2017 to play the lead role of Anne Lister, a lesbian Yorkshire industrialist in the 1830s.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2017/suranne-jones-gentleman-jack|title=Suranne Jones to star in Gentleman Jack, Sally Wainwright's new drama for BBC One and HBO|author=Editorial team|work=BBC Press Office|publisher=BBC|date=20 July 2017|access-date=8 August 2017}} Described by The Independent as "a core member of Wainwright's unofficial repertory company",{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/doctor-foster-suranne-jones-the-affair-broadchurch-top-of-the-lake-sequels-bbc-a7908976.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/doctor-foster-suranne-jones-the-affair-broadchurch-top-of-the-lake-sequels-bbc-a7908976.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Doctor Foster's Suranne Jones: 'Gemma takes her clothes off at some point and I'd just had a baby. So the planking helped'|work=The Independent|date=23 August 2017|access-date=3 July 2018|last=Gilbert|first=Gerard}} the series marks Jones's fourth collaboration with Wainwright. Premiering in April 2019 in the US and a month later in the UK, James Poniewozik of The New York Times wrote: "Jones's performance is a marvel, exuding vitality, charisma and sexual confidence. But she also brings Anne an empathy, humanity and glimpses of vulnerability that make her more than simply a flawless Regency-era Mary Sue."{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/21/arts/television/review-gentleman-jack-review.html|title=Review: 'Gentleman Jack' Finds a Swaggering Woman in Want of a Wife

|author=James Poniewozik|work=The New York Times|date=21 April 2019|access-date=17 June 2019}} Jones's performance was also praised by Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe, who wrote: "Jones is a gale force wind on the show, driving it forward with her confidence and cool. She gives us a dynamic woman living out gender fluidity and attraction to women at a time of ignorance and intolerance. Her Anne rejects social convention—and has the money to do it—as she fervently and undauntedly pursues her desires. But then Jones adds in a hidden vulnerability that can be heartbreaking. It's the best, most faceted performance of the year, though few seem to know that."{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2019/08/30/maybe-emmys-didn-notice-but-definitely-did/gEOYJtvFuVBDKu6gIBfcOM/story.html|title=The greatest overlooked TV performances of the last 20 years|author=Matthew Gilbert|work=The Boston Globe|date=30 August 2019|access-date=1 September 2019}}

Gentleman Jack returned to BBC One for a second series on 10 April 2022.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Zoe |title=Uncompromisingly gay': Sally Wainwright on turning Gentleman Jack into a global icon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/mar/25/uncompromisingly-gay-sally-wainwright-on-turning-gentleman-jack-into-a-global-icon |work=The Guardian |date=25 March 2022 |access-date=25 March 2022}}

In July 2019, Jones received the script for the second series of Save Me, titled Save Me Too,{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B0lyyD7hBq_/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/suranne_jones/2100308143757335231 |archive-date=23 December 2021 |url-access=subscription|title=Suranne Jones on Instagram: "I was just thinking I needed to get back to work.... good job these came through the post today.. #Saveme #series2 @skyatlanticuk written…"|website=Instagram|language=en|access-date=18 November 2019}}{{cbignore}} with a 14-week shoot commencing the following month.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theknowledgeonline.com/the-knowledge-bulletin/post/2019/08/12/save-me-too-starts-filming|title=SSave Me Too starts filming|website=The Knowledge Bulletin|first=Nia|last=Daniels|language=en|date=12 August 2019|access-date=22 December 2019}} Save Me Too was released on 1 April 2020, and a third season was expected in 2022.{{cite web |last1=Jeffery |first1=Morgan |title=Lennie James says Save Me will end with planned season 3 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/save-me-ending-season-3-exclusive/ |website=RadioTimes.com |access-date=12 April 2021}}{{needs update|date=March 2024}}

On 1 November 2019, a collaborative cover of "Symphony" by Jones and the Half Moon Theatre was released as a part of the BBC Children In Need album Got It Covered. Jones also provided uncredited vocals on the album's cover track "It Must Be Love".{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

On 5 August 2021, Jones appeared in the title role of "I Am Victoria", the first in a second series of one-off dramas created by BAFTA winner Dominic Savage, focussing on various women's issues, in this case, mental health challenges.{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=Michael |title=I Am Victoria review: Suranne Jones's performance is gut-punchingly powerful |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/i-am-victoria-review-channel-4-comment/ |website=RadioTimes.com |access-date=5 August 2021}}

Jones subsequently took the lead role of DCI Amy Silva in the six-episode BBC series Vigil, which aired weekly in the UK from 29 August 2021, and streamed all episodes on 23 December in the US. The submarine thriller with an underlying lesbian love story drew an initial audience of 13.4 million viewers, becoming the BBC's most successful drama in years.{{cite web |title=BBC's Vigil is the UK's most watched new drama in three years |url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2021/vigil-ratings/ |work=BBC Media Centre |access-date=5 October 2021}}

In March 2022, the first project from TeamAkers, the production company formed by Jones and her husband Laurence Akers, was announced as Maryland, a three-part drama set on the Isle of Man.{{cite web |last1=Hibbs |first1=James |title=ITV orders new relationship drama Maryland with Suranne Jones |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/itv-maryland-suranne-jones-newsupdate |website=RadioTimes.com |access-date=9 March 2022}}

It was announced on January 30 2025 that Jones and Jodie Whittaker would star in Frauds, a 6-part ITV heist series about 2 confidence women.{{Cite web |last=Goldbart |first=Max|date=30 January 2025| title= Suranne Jones & Jodie Whittaker Teaming On ITV Heist Thriller | url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/suranne-jones-jodie-whittaker-itv-heist-thriller-frauds-1236271530/ |access-date=13 February 2025 | website=Deadline.com}}

Jones lives in Muswell Hill, north London,{{cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/arts/suranne-jones-urges-donors-to-help-breathe-life-into-alexandra-palaces-lost-theatre-a3370861.html|title=Suranne Jones urges donors to help breathe life into Alexandra Palace's lost theatre|date=17 October 2016|access-date=2 July 2017|work=Evening Standard}} with her husband, freelance scriptwriter and former magazine editor Laurence Akers.{{cite web |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/suranne-jones-the-return-of-doctor-foster-pdh0gzkfj|title=Suranne Jones: the return of Doctor Foster|first=Andrew|last=Billen|date=26 August 2017|access-date=3 July 2018|work=The Times}} They met in 2013 at the wedding of Jones's long-term friend, actress Sally Lindsay, to musician Steve White.{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/603813/Suranne-Jones-Doctor-Foster-BBC1|title=Suranne Jones on Doctor Foster: This will make tricky viewing for some couples|first=Kirsty|last=Nutkins|date=12 September 2015|access-date=6 October 2015|work=Daily Express|publisher=Northern & Shell}} They were married in 2014. In an interview with Vogue, Jones stated that her legal name had become Sarah Anne Akers.{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/article/suranne-jones-doctor-foster-interview|title=Five Minutes With... Suranne Jones|first=Giles|last=Hattersley|date=3 September 2017|access-date=3 July 2018|work=Vogue|publisher=Condé Nast}} She gave birth to a son in March 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/2016031330271/suranne-jones-gives-birth-to-baby-boy/|title=Suranne Jones welcomes first child|first=Suzie|last=Bakos|date=13 March 2016|access-date=9 June 2020|work=Hello!|publisher=Hello Ltd.}}

Jones has been involved with various charitable organisations. When she was a teenager, her mother Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer, with Jones saying, "At the time we did a breast cancer campaign together. I still do a lot of charity runs." Jones also has worked with Christian Aid, travelling to Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo to help with projects concerning HIV, women's rights and child soldiers.{{cite web |url=http://www.christianaid.org.uk/aboutus/celebrity-supporters/suranne-jones.aspx|title=Celebrity Supporters — Suranne Jones |access-date=17 June 2011|work=Christian Aid}}

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Category:1978 births

Category:Living people

Category:English Roman Catholics

Category:20th-century English actresses

Category:21st-century English actresses

Category:Best Actress BAFTA Award (television) winners

Category:British Soap Award for Best Actress winners

Category:English film actresses

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Category:Actresses from Greater Manchester

Category:People from Chadderton

Category:Actors from the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham