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Amanda Burton
Amanda Burton 2014.png
Amanda Burton in 2014
Born (1956-10-10) 10 October 1956 (age 68)
Derry, Northern Ireland
Occupation Actress
Years active 1981–present
Spouse(s)
  • Jonathan Hartley
    (m. 1976; div. 1982)
  • Sven Arnstein
    (m. 1989; div. 2004)
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.

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"
Storyteller: Greek Myths, TheThe 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 Gift, TheThe Gift Lynn Television film
1999 Forgotten Rachel Monroe/Carla Hayden 3 episodes
2000 Little Bird Rachel Lewis Television film
2001 Whistle-Blower, TheThe Whistle-Blower Laura Tracey 2 episodes
2002 Helen West Casebook, TheThe Helen West Casebook Helen West 3 episodes
2003 Pollyanna Aunt Polly Television film
2003–2008 Commander, TheThe 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 Level, TheThe 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
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