Amanda Burton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amanda Burton
|
|
|---|---|
Amanda Burton in 2014
|
|
| Born | 10 October 1956 Derry, Northern Ireland
|
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | National Television Award TV Quick Award |
Amanda Burton (born 10 October 1956) is a famous actress from Northern Ireland. She is well-known for her roles in many popular TV shows. Some of her most famous parts include Heather Haversham in Brookside and Beth Glover in Peak Practice. She also played Sam Ryan in the BBC crime drama Silent Witness. Later, she starred as Clare Blake in The Commander. She was also Karen Fisher in Waterloo Road and Katherine Maguire in Marcella.
Contents
Growing Up and Schooling
Amanda Burton was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. She was the youngest of four sisters. Her father, Arthur Burton, was a primary school headmaster. Amanda went to the same school, Ballougry Primary School, when she was a child.
She grew up in Ballougry, a small countryside area near Derry City. Her family lived in a house right next to the school. After attending Londonderry High School, she moved to England at age 18. There, she studied acting for three years at the Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre.
Her Acting Career
Before becoming famous on TV, Amanda Burton mostly worked in the theatre. Her big break on television was playing Heather Haversham in the Channel 4 show Brookside. This show was set in Liverpool. Heather became a very popular character. After almost four years, Amanda decided to leave the show.
After Brookside, she made guest appearances in several popular TV dramas. These included shows like Minder, Inspector Morse, and Lovejoy.
Becoming a TV Star
In 1993, Amanda Burton starred in Peak Practice with Kevin Whately. She played Doctor Beth Glover in this medical drama. The show was set in Derbyshire's Peak District. She was in the show for three series until 1995.
In 1996, she took on the main role of Professor Sam Ryan in the BBC drama Silent Witness. This show was very popular. She played this role until 2004. Her character helped make Silent Witness one of the most successful BBC series. The show is still running today, and Amanda even returned to it in 2021.
After Silent Witness, she played Prosecutor Helen West in a series based on crime novels. She also played Aunt Polly in a 2003 TV movie of Pollyanna. From 2003 to 2008, she starred as Commander Clare Blake in Lynda La Plante's drama, The Commander.
Recent Roles
In 2010, Burton joined the BBC drama Waterloo Road. She played the new headteacher, Karen Fisher, and left the show in 2011. She also took part in BBC1's Celebrity Masterchef and reached the semi-finals. In 2016, she appeared in the ITV drama The Level. In 2020, she had a big role as Katherine Maguire in the third season of Marcella.
Personal Life
In 1976, Amanda Burton married Jonathan Hartley, who worked in theatre. They met while she was studying acting. They divorced in 1982. She then married Sven Arnstein, a photographer, in 1989. They had two daughters together before divorcing in 2004. Amanda Burton lives in Hastings, East Sussex.
Charity Work
Amanda Burton is an ambassador for The Children's Trust. This is a UK charity that helps children with brain injuries and other brain conditions.
Film and TV Roles
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Bronson | Mum |
| 2020 | Body Of Water | Susan |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–1986 | Brookside | Heather Haversham | Regular role |
| 1987–1988 | Boon | Margaret Daly | Main role; 14 episodes |
| 1988 | Inspector Morse | Mirella Lunghi | Episode: "The Settling of the Sun" |
| 1989 | Where There's A Will | Alice | Television film |
| Frederick Forsyth Presents | Nicola | Episode: "A Casualty of War" | |
| 1990 | Medics | Vikki | Episode: "Jessica" |
| The Storyteller: Greek Myths | Aithra | 1 episode | |
| 1991 | Van der Valk | Elly van Roekel | Episode: "Doctor Hoffmann's Children" |
| Stay Lucky | Jane Higgs | Episode: "The Food of Love" | |
| 1992 | Lovejoy | Bonnie Wright | Episode: "Kids" |
| 1993 | Minder | Prosecuting Counsel | Episode: "Looking for Mr. Goodtime" |
| 1993–1995 | Peak Practice | Dr. Beth Glover/Kerruish | Regular role; 36 episodes |
| 1996 | Screen Two | Rosie Willis | Episode: "The Precious Blood" |
| 1996–2004, 2022 | Silent Witness | Prof. Sam Ryan | Regular role |
| 1998 | The Gift | Lynn | Television film |
| 1999 | Forgotten | Rachel Monroe/Carla Hayden | 3 episodes |
| 2000 | Little Bird | Rachel Lewis | Television film |
| 2001 | The Whistle-Blower | Laura Tracey | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | The Helen West Casebook | Helen West | 3 episodes |
| 2003 | Pollyanna | Aunt Polly | Television film |
| 2003–2008 | The Commander | Commander Clare Blake | Main role; 17 episodes |
| 2009 | Agatha Christie's Marple | Sister Clotilde | Episode: "Nemesis" |
| 2010–2011 | Waterloo Road | Karen Fisher | Regular role; 28 episodes |
| 2015 | Midsomer Murders | Carole Latimer | Episode: "Murder by Magic" |
| 2016 | The Level | Cherie Le Saux | 6 episodes |
| 2020 | White House Farm | June Bamber | |
| Marcella | Katherine Maguire | 8 episodes | |
| 2021 | Anne Boleyn | Anne Shelton | 3 episodes |
Presenter Roles
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Amanda Burton: Killer Forensics | Discovery |
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Organisation | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | National Television Award | Most Popular Actress | Silent Witness | Won |
| 1999 | Won | |||
| TV Quick Award | Best Actress | Won | ||
| 2001 | National Television Award | Most Popular Actress | Won | |
| 2003 | Nominated | |||
| 2004 | IFTA Award | Best Actress in a TV Drama | Nominated | |
| 2011 | TV Quick Award | Best Actress | Waterloo Road | Won |
