--- name: "Joanna Scanlan" canonical: "https://film.one/person/joanna-scanlan" fi1m_id: "joanna-scanlan" imdb_id: "nm0768936" tmdb_id: 33450 wikidata_id: "Q3179659" roles: ["Actor"] born: "27 October 1961" reviewed_on_fi1m: 19 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 19 updated: "2026-10-07T18:27:58.154979+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Joanna Scanlan ## Identity Joanna Scanlan - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/joanna-scanlan - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** joanna-scanlan - **IMDb ID:** nm0768936 - **TMDB ID:** 33450 - **Wikidata ID:** Q3179659 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_Scanlan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3179659, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0768936/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/33450 Actor. Born 27 October 1961 in West Kirby, Merseyside, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 27 October 1961, West Kirby, Merseyside, England, UK - **Active:** 1990–present - **Also known as:** Jo Scanlan, Ms. Joanna Scanlan, Joanna Scanlon - **BAFTA Film Awards:** 1 BAFTA (1 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 19 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 79 (4), 2000s 78 (6), 2010s 71 (5), 2020s 74 (4) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 72 across 12 titles - **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 12 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 3 of 10 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 11, Drama 11, Romance 6, Family 2, Mystery 2, Adventure 1 - **Screen time:** 19 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $576m across 7 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanna_Scanlan, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3179659, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0768936/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/33450 ## Coming up - *Anxious People* (2026-11-26) ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*The Thick of It*](https://film.one/tv/the-thick-of-it.md) (94), [*Riot Women*](https://film.one/tv/riot-women.md) (80), [*No Offence*](https://film.one/tv/no-offence.md) (73) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*After Love*](https://film.one/film/after-love.md) (83) - **The Roku Channel:** [*The Invisible Woman*](https://film.one/film/the-invisible-woman.md) (67) - **Disney+:** [*Wicked Little Letters*](https://film.one/film/wicked-little-letters.md) (61) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Joanna Scanlan > Joanna Scanlan gives put-upon women an awkwardness and humour that make their anger convincing. We rate her highly: *Riot Women* shows how much she can convey before the script starts telling us what we already understand. In *Riot Women* (2025), Joanna Scanlan’s Beth can be angry without losing her sense of humour. The middle-aged women forming a punk band in Sally Wainwright’s drama have reasons to complain, but Scanlan does not treat a grievance as a complete personality. We were moved by Beth because Scanlan makes the pressures on her feel substantial without turning her into someone we can only pity. Rosalie Craig’s Kitty brings disorderly energy and warmth alongside her. Together they are the strongest reason to stay with a series whose writing can explain rather too much. The breakthrough was Terri Coverley in Armando Iannucci’s *The Thick of It* (2005–2012), where taking a character seriously and knowing when to be funny proved compatible skills. With *Getting On* (2009–2012), which she co-created, she was also making material rather than waiting to be offered it. Her writing partnership with Vicki Pepperdine matters to a career so often spent playing women described as ordinary. The lead role of Mary in *After Love* (2020) gave her restrained dramatic acting more space. We would resist treating that as a departure: the comedy already depended on believing that these people meant what they said. The limits are clearer in Thea Sharrock’s *Wicked Little Letters* (2024), where Scanlan plays Ann. Her unofficial investigation over tea with Eileen Atkins and Lolly Adefope supplies some of the film’s warmth, though the scenes are familiar. Their company is a modest reason to watch a comedy whose central joke wears thin. Scanlan makes those scenes worth spending time with; she cannot make the mystery less obvious or persuade the film to pursue the sadder story it keeps avoiding. There is a danger in repeatedly casting her as an ordinary woman: the role can become smaller than the actor’s ability to play it. Her wish for more forceful parts seems reasonable after Beth. Wainwright gives her anger enough room to remain funny and awkward, even when the script is less subtle than the performance. Start with *Riot Women*, and be prepared to forgive a few speeches for the performances around them. ## Biography Joanna Scanlan is a British actress and writer. She was born on 27 October 1961 in West Kirby, Merseyside, and studied at Queens' College, Cambridge. On television she is known for roles in *The Thick of It* (2005–2012), *Getting On* (2009–2012), for which she received three BAFTA TV Award nominations including for writing, *No Offence* (2015–2018), *The Larkins* (2021) and *Slow Horses* (2022–). Her film credits include *Girl with a Pearl Earring* (2003), *Notes on a Scandal* (2006), *Bridget Jones's Baby* (2016) and *After Love* (2020), for which she won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She appears as Ann in *Wicked Little Letters* (2024) and as Beth in *Riot Women* (2025). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (19) - *Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy* (2025), Fi1m 70, as Cathy — [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-jones-mad-about-the-boy.md) - *Riot Women* (2025), Fi1m 80, as Beth — [page](https://film.one/tv/riot-women.md) - *Wicked Little Letters* (2024), Fi1m 61, as Ann — [page](https://film.one/film/wicked-little-letters.md) - *After Love* (2021), Fi1m 83, as Mary / Fahima — [page](https://film.one/film/after-love.md) - *Sally4Ever* (2018), Fi1m 78, as Stella — [page](https://film.one/tv/sally4ever.md) - *Bridget Jones's Baby* (2016), Fi1m 71, as Cathy - Make Up Lady — [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-baby.md) - *No Offence* (2015), Fi1m 73, as Vivienne Deering — [page](https://film.one/tv/no-offence.md) - *Get Santa* (2014), Fi1m 66, as Ruth — [page](https://film.one/film/get-santa.md) - *The Invisible Woman* (2013), Fi1m 67, as Catherine Dickens — [page](https://film.one/film/the-invisible-woman.md) - *In the Loop* (2009), Fi1m 92, as Roz — [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-loop.md) - *Stardust* (2007), Fi1m 75, as Mormo — [page](https://film.one/film/stardust.md) - *Notes on a Scandal* (2006), Fi1m 75, as Sue Hodge — [page](https://film.one/film/notes-on-a-scandal.md) - *The Thick of It* (2005), Fi1m 94, as Terri Coverley — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-thick-of-it.md) - *Little Britain* (2003), Fi1m 58, as Lou's Girlfriend Anya — [page](https://film.one/tv/little-britain.md) - *The Deal* (2003), Fi1m 73, as Sue Nye — [page](https://film.one/film/the-deal.md) - *Spaced* (1999), Fi1m 86, as Tina — [page](https://film.one/tv/spaced.md) - *A Rather English Marriage* (1998), Fi1m 75, as Sister — [page](https://film.one/film/a-rather-english-marriage.md) - *Vanity Fair* (1998), Fi1m 72, as Lady Crawley — [page](https://film.one/tv/vanity-fair.md) - *One Foot in the Grave* (1990), Fi1m 83, as Gillian — [page](https://film.one/tv/one-foot-in-the-grave.md) ## Complete filmography (94) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Anxious People* (2026), Actor - *Missed Call* (2026), series, Actor - *Riot Women* (2025), series, as Beth — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/riot-women.md) - *Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy* (2025), as Cathy — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-jones-mad-about-the-boy.md) - *Rhubarb Rhubarb* (2025), Actor - *JOY* (2024), as Gladys May - *Killed Without A Trace* (2024), series, as Presenter - *A Very Royal Scandal* (2024), series, as Amanda Thirsk - *The Rising of the Sap* (2024), as Elizabeth - *Wicked Little Letters* (2024), as Ann — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/wicked-little-letters.md) - *Tabby McTat* (2024), as Pat (voice) - *Boat Story* (2023), series, as Pat Tooh - *Secrets of the Aquarium* (2023), series, as Narrator - *This Is Christmas* (2022), as Linda - *The Light in the Hall* (2022), series, as Sharon Roberts - *Slow Horses* (2022), series, as Moira Tregorian — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/slow-horses.md) - *The Larkins* (2021), series, as Ma Larkin - *Ropey* (2021), Actor - *Don vs Lightning* (2021), as Maggie - *After Love* (2021), as Mary/Fahima — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/after-love.md) - *How to Build a Girl* (2020), as Mrs. Belling - *McDonald & Dodds* (2020), series, as Kelly Mulcreevy - *Avenue 5* (2020), series, as Johanna - *Dracula* (2020), series, as Mother Superior - *The Accident* (2019), series, as Angela Griffiths - *Sally4Ever* (2018), series, as Stella — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/sally4ever.md) - *Pin Cushion* (2018), as Lyn - *The Woman in White* (2018), series, as Mrs Vesey - *Wild Honey Pie!* (2018), as Janet - *Hold the Sunset* (2018), series, as Sandra - *Requiem* (2018), series, as Janice Gray - *How to Talk to Girls at Parties* (2017), as Marion, Enn’s Mother - *Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams* (2017), series, as Su - *Tulip Fever* (2017), as Mrs. Overvalt - *Hooten & The Lady* (2016), series, Actor - *Bridget Jones's Baby* (2016), as Cathy - Make Up Lady — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-baby.md) - *Dylan's Room* (2016), as Penny - *Fungus The Bogeyman* (2015), Actor - *Fungus the Bogeyman* (2015), series, as Mildrew - *The Bad Education Movie* (2015), as Susan Poulter - *No Offence* (2015), series, as Vivienne Deering · Associate Producer — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/no-offence.md) - *Testament of Youth* (2015), as Aunt Belle - *Get Santa* (2014), as Ruth — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/get-santa.md) - *Puppy Love* (2014), series, as Nana V - *Death Comes to Pemberley* (2013), series, as Mrs. Reynolds - *The Invisible Woman* (2013), as Catherine Dickens — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/the-invisible-woman.md) - *Getting On* (2013), series, as Sister Den Flixter · Executive Producer - *Big School* (2013), series, as Mrs Klebb - *Psychobitches* (2013), series, as Barbara Woodhouse - *Heading Out* (2013), series, as Torla - *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Barbara Woodhouse - *Stella* (2012), series, Actor - *Hot Hot Hot* (2011), as Mary-Ann - *The Calling* (2010), as Sister Kevin - *Home Time* (2009), series, as Mrs Pitman - *Getting On* (2009), series, as Sister Den Flixter · Writer - *In the Loop* (2009), as Roz — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-loop.md) - *The Other Boleyn Girl* (2008), as Midwife - *Stardust* (2007), as Mormo — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/stardust.md) - *Spinners and Losers* (2007), as Terri Coverly - *Jekyll* (2007), series, as Nurse - *Grow Your Own* (2007), as Barbara - *Maxwell* (2007), as Jennings - *The Moon and the Stars* (2007), as Daisy Burke - *The Rise of the Nutters* (2007), as Terri Coverley - *Notes on a Scandal* (2006), as Sue Hodge — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/notes-on-a-scandal.md) - *A Little Trip to Heaven* (2005), as Josie - *Kinky Boots* (2005), as Trish - *The Thick of It* (2005), series, as Terri Coverley — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-thick-of-it.md) - *Doctors and Nurses* (2004), series, as Stumpy Yates - *Girl with a Pearl Earring* (2003), as Tanneke - *The Deal* (2003), as Sue Nye — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/the-deal.md) - *Little Britain* (2003), series, as Lou's Girlfriend Anya — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/tv/little-britain.md) - *Murder in Mind* (2001), series, as Diana Spearman - *Terri McIntyre - Classy Bitch* (2001), series, Actor - *Fun at the Funeral Parlour* (2001), series, Actor - *Human Remains* (2000), series, as Nana - *My Family* (2000), series, as Dental Assistant — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/tv/my-family.md) - *The Announcement* (2000), as Debbie - *Cry Wolf* (2000), series, as Julie - *My Parents Are Aliens* (1999), series, Writer - *Spaced* (1999), series, as Tina — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/spaced.md) - *Coming Soon* (1999), as Claudia - *Coming Soon* (1999), series, Actor - *A Rather English Marriage* (1998), as Sister — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/a-rather-english-marriage.md) - *Vanity Fair* (1998), series, as Lady Crawley — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/vanity-fair.md) - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Clara Trout — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *Jane Eyre* (1997), as Bessie - *Peak Practice* (1993), series, as Midwife - *Murder Most Horrid* (1991), series, as Iris Wood-Newton - *One Foot in the Grave* (1990), series, as Gillian — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/one-foot-in-the-grave.md) - *The Ruth Rendell Mysteries* (1987), series, as Audrey Barker - *Poe*, as Friend (Voice) - *The Arrival*, Actor ## Awards ### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won - 2022: Best Actress in a Leading Role (won), for *After Love* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/joanna-scanlan