Gillian Louise Kearney[1] (born 9 May 1972) is an English actress best known for her early role as Debbie McGrath in Channel 4's Liverpool-based soap opera Brookside and the spin-off mini-series Damon and Debbie, and for playing Jessica Harrison in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty, as well as Emma Barton in the ITV Yorkshire-based soap opera Emmerdale. The role of Emma gained her recognition because of character's involvement in Emmerdale’s most high-profile storylines during her three-year stint.
Gillian Kearney | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gillian Louise Kearney 9 May 1972 |
| Alma mater | Rose Bruford College |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Television | Brookside (1986–1989) Damon and Debbie (1987) Shameless (2005–2007) Casualty (2008–2010) Emmerdale (2015–2017, 2024) |
| Partner | Eddie Foo |
| Children | 1 |
Early life
editOne of four children born to Gerard and Barbara (née Allerston) Kearney, Kearney has three brothers, including Tom, a professional footballer. Her father is a retired civil engineer, and her mother a school care worker.[citation needed] Growing up in Aigburth, she attended St. John Almond RC High School, Garston,[2] where she gained nine GCSEs and four A-levels. She later trained at the Rose Bruford College.
Career
editHer interest in acting began at secondary school. After repeatedly being overlooked for the lead roles in school productions, she decided to join the Liverpool Playhouse Youth Theatre, where she featured in plays including All Flesh is Grass (as Ema),[3] Katie Crackernuts and Yer Dancin'? It was there, in 1986, that she was spotted by members of the Mersey Television production team; this resulted in her being asked to audition for a role in Channel 4's soap opera Brookside. Kearney landed the role of Debbie McGrath, the girlfriend of Damon Grant, played by Simon O'Brien. When O'Brien decided to leave Brookside, he requested that his character be killed off so he wouldn't be tempted to return to the show. Because Damon was so popular, particularly with younger viewers, it was decided to create a "soap bubble" in which the character would meet his demise: the result, Damon and Debbie, became Britain's first mini-series spin-off from a soap opera.[4][5] A year after filming her final scenes, Kearney was asked to return for a few episodes. Christmas 1988 saw Debbie McGrath make an unexpected return to visit Sheila Grant, Damon's mother; she arrived with her baby, Simon – Damon's son.
Kearney played the young Shirley in the award-winning 1989 film Shirley Valentine.
She also had the lead female part as Ellie Brookes in Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll, a six-part television mini-series written and created by Debbie Horsfield and directed by John Woods. It was produced by Wall to Wall for BBC One originally airing in 1999 before being adapted into a successful stage musical.
In 2002, Kearney landed the role of June Forsyte in the ITV1 adaptation of John Galsworthy's classic novel The Forsyte Saga. She later reprised the role for the second series. Following the success of The Forsyte Saga, Kearney's next role brought her back onto the ITV screen in its newest medical drama, Sweet Medicine. Kearney was cast as Dr Deborah "Deb" Sweet, and starred alongside Jason Merrells, who played her husband, and Patricia Hodge as her formidable mother-in-law. The show was intended to take up the mantle of the popular rural drama Peak Practice, which had recently ended, but low viewing figures saw Sweet Medicine axed after just one series.
In 2005, Kearney landed a role in Channel 4's hit series Shameless, playing the role of Marty Fisher's (Jack Deam) girlfriend, Sue Garland. She left the show along with her on-screen partner in 2007.[6] She had a number of television roles following her departure before landing the role of Jessica Harrison in Casualty, in January 2008. Kearney left Casualty in February 2010, but returned briefly to tie up the loose ends of her character's storyline in May 2010.
As of 2 January 2015, Kearney began appearing in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, in the role of Emma Barton, the estranged wife of James Barton (Bill Ward) and mother of their three sons Pete (Anthony Quinlan), Ross (Michael Parr) and Finn (Joe Gill). Kearney has received critical acclaim for her performance,[7] particularly when it came to the "No Return" week which saw the character hold James hostage and cause a huge crash that endangered the lives of seven Emmerdale residents; after Emma accidentally pushed James off the bridge, he later died. Kearney was nominated for Best Serial Drama Performance at the 2016 National Television Awards. In 2019, Kearney directed the 5Star woman's prison drama Clink.
Personal life
editKearney lived in Crouch End, North London, from July 2000,[8] and then rented a property in Clifton, Bristol, during her time appearing in Casualty.[9] She returned to live in Liverpool after the birth of her son; she also rented a home in Yorkshire where she filmed Emmerdale, and a holiday home on the Atlantic coast of County Clare, Ireland.[10]
In April 2009 Kearney mentioned, during a This Morning television interview, that she was seeing a final-year medical student called Eddie, whom she had met whilst in Bristol.[9] Early in 2010, Kearney announced her engagement to Eddie Foo and their intention to marry later that year in Ireland,[11] but the plans were soon put on hold when she discovered that she was expecting their first child. Kearney gave birth to an 8 lb 3 oz (3.7 kg) baby boy on 26 August 2010.[12]
Credits
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
1989
|
Shirley Valentine | Young Shirley | |
2003
|
Homecoming | Dushuri | Short |
2006
|
The Other Half | Holly Lamanuzzi | |
2006
|
The Lives of Saints | Christella | |
2006
|
London to Brighton | Kelly's next door neighbour | uncredited |
2013
|
Harrigan | Bridie Wheland | |
2013
|
Breakthrough | Judith | Short |
2014
|
Sealed with a Kiss | Ginny | Short |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1986–1989
|
Brookside | Debbie McGrath | Regular role | |
1987
|
Damon and Debbie | Debbie McGrath | Channel 4 |
5 episodes, Mini Series |
1990
|
The Final Frame | Cassy | Kinesis Films for Channel 4 |
TV movie |
1991
|
Waterfront Beat | Helen | 6 episodes | |
1991
|
Casualty | Mandy | BBC1 |
1 episode |
1995
|
Men of the World | Jenny | BBC One |
1 episode |
1996
|
The Tide of Life | Emily Kennedy | Mini Series | |
1996
|
Heartbeat | Susan Watkins | ITV |
1 episode |
1997
|
The Ruby Ring | Elizabeth Langley | TV movie | |
1998
|
Hetty Wainthropp Investigates | Debra Woolmer | BBC One |
1 episode |
1998
|
Liverpool 1 | Julie Callaghan | ITV |
5 episodes |
1998
|
The Things You Do for Love | Young Joan | TV movie | |
1999
|
Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll | Ellie Brookes | BBC One |
Mini Series |
2000
|
Black Cab | Phil | 1 episode | |
2000
|
Hope and Glory | Kitty Burton | BBC One |
10 episodes |
2000
|
In His Life: The John Lennon Story | Cynthia Lennon | TV movie | |
2001
|
Murder in Mind | Catrin Palmer | BBC One |
1 episode |
2001
|
Midsomer Murders | WPC Jay Nash | ITV |
1 episode |
2001–2002
|
Clocking Off | Lynne Watson | BBC One |
2 episodes |
2002
|
The Real Jane Austen | Jane Austen | BBC Two |
TV documentary |
2002–2003
|
The Forsyte Saga | June Forsyte | ITV |
Mini Series |
2003
|
Blue Murder | Lesley Tulley | ITV |
2 episodes |
2003
|
Sweet Medicine | Dr. Deborah Sweet | ITV |
|
2005
|
Where the Heart Is | Maria | ITV |
1 episode |
2005–2007
|
Shameless | Sue Garland | Channel 4 |
12 episodes |
2007
|
Trial & Retribution | Gina Casper | ITV |
1 episode |
2007
|
Lilies | Miss Bird | BBC One |
1 episode |
2008
|
Primeval | Valerie Irwin | ITV |
1 episode |
2008–2010
|
Casualty | Jessica Harrison | BBC One |
93 episodes |
2011
|
Justice | Louise Scanlon | BBC One |
|
2012
|
Silent Witness | DI Bridges | BBC One |
2 episodes |
2013
|
Moving On | Danielle | BBC One |
1 episode |
2014
|
Suspects | Tamsin Shaffer | 4 episodes | |
2015–2017, 2024
|
Emmerdale [13] | Emma Barton | ITV |
Regular role; 355 episodes |
2024
|
Vera | Deborah McSwain | ITV |
1 episode |
Theatre
edit- Macbeth ... Lady Macduff, Witch; Everyman Theatre, Liverpool; 6 May – 11 June 2011[14]
- Strangers, Babies ... May; Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; 23 February – 17 March 2007[15][16]
- The Flint Street Nativity ... Mary; Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool; 7 December 2006 – 20 January 2007
- Hedda Gabler ... Hedda Gabler
- Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool; 23 March – 15 April 2006[17]
- West Yorkshire Playhouse (Quarry Theatre), Leeds; 17 February – 11 March 2006[17]
- A Man of Principle ... Ruth; Colin's Bridewell, Liverpool; 26 October 2004[18]
- A Midsummer Night's Dream ... Hermia; Albery Theatre, London; 16 March – 12 May 2001[19]
- King Lear ... Cordelia; Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester; 9 September – 23 October 1999[20]
- The School for Wives ... Agnès
- Comedy Theatre, London; 6 May – 2 August 1997
- Piccadilly Theatre, London; 11 February – 26 April 1997
- Theatre Royal, Bath; 9–14 December 1996
- Festival Theatre, Chichester; 26–30 November 1996
- Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle upon Tyne; 18–23 November 1996
- Richmond Theatre, Richmond; 11–16 November 1996
- King's Theatre, Edinburgh; 5–9 November 1996
- Thorndike Theatre, Leatherhead; 8–26 October 1996
- The Rivals ... Lucy; Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester; 8 February – 23 March 1996
- When We Are Married ... Nancy Holmes; Festival Theatre, Chichester; 24 July – 17 August 1996
- The School for Scandal ... Maria; Everyman Theatre, Liverpool; 1992
- Othello ... Desdemona; Everyman Theatre, Liverpool; 1992
- Alice in Wonderland ... Alice; Everyman Theatre, Liverpool; 1991
- The White Devil ... Giovanni; Everyman Theatre, Liverpool; 1991
- Your Home in the West ... Sharon; Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester; 28 March – 13 April 1991
Radio
edit| Year | Title | Role | Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex, Latte, Paperclips [13] | Michelle | BBC | |
2013
|
Boots on the Ground [21] | Dr Callard | BBC Radio 4 |
2014
|
Brief Lives [22] | DC Archer | BBC Radio 4 |
2014
|
Bring Her Back [23] | Dr. Moira Leigh | BBC Northern Ireland |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Bad Girl | Nominated | [24] |
| 2016 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Bad Girl | Nominated | [25] |
| 2017 | 22nd National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Nominated | [26] |
| 2017 | The British Soap Awards | Villain of the Year | Nominated | [27] |
| 2017 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | [28] |
| 2017 | Inside Soap Awards | Best Bad Girl | Won | [29] |
| 2018 | 23rd National Television Awards | Serial Drama Performance | Nominated | [30] |
| 2018 | The British Soap Awards | Villain of the Year | Nominated | [31] |
References
edit- ^ a b Birth Registration Details Archived 30 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Ancestry.co.uk (Retrieved 16 July 2009)
- ^ "Saint Benedict's College history". Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
- ^ Jones, Catherine; "We've got talent! £25m Culture project launched" Archived 5 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, LiverpoolEcho.co.uk, 23 September 2008. Retrieved 16 July 2009
- ^ Plunkett, Jon; "Brookside: the highs and lows" Archived 9 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian, 10 October 2002. Retrieved 16 July 2009
- ^ Williams, Steve; Jones, Ian; Kibble-White, Jack; "Channel 4 at 25: 1987" Archived 8 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine OffTheTelly.co.uk, November 2002. Retrieved 16 July 2009
- ^ "Gillian Kearney as Sue" Archived 29 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine Radio Times, January 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2009
- ^ Metro.co.uk, Duncan Lindsay for (19 October 2016). "Emmerdale: Why Emma Barton is one of the all time best soap villains". Metro. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ Leask, Annie; "Interview — Gillian Kearney: Mum's desperate for me to find a good man" Archived 30 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine Sunday Mirror, 22 April 2002. Retrieved 16 July 2009
- ^ a b "This Morning television interview with Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton on 16 April 2009". YouTube. 18 April 2009. Archived from the original on 27 March 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- ^ Francis, Pam (15 February 2015). "Emmerdale's Gillian Kearney: 'My greatest weakness is chocolate'". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ Wise, Jon; "DOCTOR WOO!" The People, 10 January 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2010
- ^ Miles, Tina; "Casualty star Gillian Kearney on becoming a mum and her recent Clapperboard role at Liverpool's FACT" Archived 8 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine The Liverpool Echo, 25 September 2010
- ^ a b "Gillian Kearney". United Agents. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Macbeth". Everyman Theatre. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
- ^ "Traverse Theatre Company: Strangers, Babies" Archived 15 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine Traverse.co.uk (Retrieved 16 July 2009)
- ^ Fisher, Mark; "Theatre; Strangers, Babies" Archived 6 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian, 2 March 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2009
- ^ a b Butler, Billy; "Gillian Kearney Interview" Archived 25 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine BBC (Radio Merseyside), 5 April 2006. Retrieved 16 July 2009
- ^ Underwood, Mitya (25 October 2004). "My Play's a Winner". The Free Library. Archived from the original on 7 February 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ Billington, Michael (24 March 2001). "Dawn French's mildly funny Bottom". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "Courtenay Stars in Manchester King Lear". What's On Stage. 31 August 1999. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "Boots on the Ground". BBC. Archived from the original on 4 October 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ^ "Episode 4 Brief Lives". BBC. Archived from the original on 23 September 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ "Bring Her Back by Andy Walker". BBC. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
- ^ Dainty, Sophie (14 July 2015). "Inside Soap Awards 2015 longlist revealed: Who's in line for Best Actor, Actress and Newcomer?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ Sandwell, Ian (21 June 2016). "Inside Soap Awards 2016 longlist revealed". Digital Spy. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- ^ Deene, Sarah (11 October 2016). "This is the BBC's last chance to bag an National Television Award for The Great British Bake Off/". Metro. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "British Soap Awards 2017: Full list of winners". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
- ^ Harp, Justin (22 August 2017). "Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks all make the Inside Soap Awards longlist". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
- ^ Dainty, Sophie (6 November 2017). "Emmerdale wins best soap at the Inside Soap Awards for the third year running". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
- ^ McCreesh, Louise (10 October 2017). "Here are all the nominees for the National TV Awards 2018". Digital Spy. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- ^ "British Soap Awards 2018 winners list in full: Coronation Street named best soap". The Independent. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.