Joanna Scanlan

Joanna Scanlan, born way back in October '61—yeah, that’s the swinging sixties—calls West Kirby, Merseyside home. That’s right, she’s a proper Northerner, not some posh Londoner. She’s been knocking about in British film and TV for ages, leaving her mark in some pretty iconic stuff. If you ever caught “Notes on a Scandal” back in 2006, you’ll know she had this knack for slipping into roles that just stick with you. Then there’s “Stardust” from 2007—honestly, if you haven’t seen it, what are you even doing?—and she totally nailed her part in that fantasy madness. But really, it’s “Getting On” from 2009 that made her a bit of a legend. That show about the grimy, hilarious world of the NHS? She didn’t just act in it, she helped write it, which tells you everything about her range and sense of humor. She’s not just about the spotlight, either. Yeah, she’s married—Neil Bicknell’s the lucky bloke. They keep things pretty low-key, not splashing their business everywhere. Scanlan’s got this vibe where she can be both deadly serious and absolutely hilarious, sometimes in the same scene. No wonder she’s scooped up awards and critical love over the years. She brings this raw, almost painfully real energy to her characters, whether she’s playing a downtrodden nurse or something more glamorous. Basically, Scanlan’s one of those rare British talents who can do it all—comedy, drama, you name it. She’s still out there, doing her thing, and honestly, you can’t help but root for her.