Amanda Burton (born 10 October 1956 in Ballougry, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland) is a British actress best known for her high-profile television roles as Sam Ryan in the BBC crime drama series Silent Witness, Clare Blake in The Commander, Beth Glover in Peak Practice, and Heather in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside.
Early years
The youngest of four girls born into a Protestant family in Northern Ireland, Burton's father was a primary-school headmaster and her mother an English descendant of Oscar Wilde.[1] After attending the Londonderry High School for Young Ladies in Derry, she moved to England at 18 where she spent three years studying drama at the Manchester Polytechnic School of Film, TV and Theatre.[1] Whilst there she met theatre technician Jonathan Hartley, whom she married when she was 20.
Career
Although best known for her television roles, Burton had worked almost exclusively in the theatre prior to landing the role of Heather Huntingdon in Channel 4's Liverpool-based flagship drama series Brookside. After nealy four years in the role, during which time Heather had become one of the show's most-popular residents of Brookside Close, she began to lose sympathy with her character and decided to leave. Following her departure her television work consisted mainly of guest appearances, with parts in a number of peak-time drama series including Minder, Inspector Morse, Boon, Medics, Van Der Valk, Stay Lucky, and Lovejoy.
In 1993 Burton starred alongside Kevin Whately in Peak Practice. She played the role of Doctor Beth Glover in the medical drama series, based in Derbyshire's Peak District, for three series until her departure in 1995.
After Silent Witness, Burton also took on the role of Prosecutor Helen West in a series based on Frances Fyfield's novels. She also played Aunt Polly in a 2003 remake of Pollyanna. One of her most recent roles is as Commander Clare Blake in Lynda La Plante's drama The Commander.
In November 2009, Burton will begin filming the sixth series of BBC drama Waterloo Road as new Head Teacher, Karen Fisher. She will appear on screen from 2010. [2]
Personal life
Burton has two daughters — Phoebe (born 1989) and Brid (born 1991) — from her marriage to Swedish photographer Sven Arnstein; having previously been married to Jonathan Hartley. She became engaged to Stephen Colover, also a photographer, in 2007. When confronted about a large engagement ring during a magazine interview relating to The Commander, she stated how happy she was with her new love.
Following the breakdown of her second marriage, Burton was linked with Labour politician David Blunkett in July 2006, after Arnstein reportedly had an affair with a younger woman.[3]
Notable roles
Film
Television
Burton as Sam Ryan (centre) in
Silent Witness
- Waterloo Road … Karen Fisher; 2010, BBC One
- Marple … Sister Clotilde in "Nemesis"; 1 January 2009, ITV1
- The Commander … Commander Clare Blake; 2003–08
- Pollyanna … Aunt Polly; 2003
- Helen West … Helen West; 2002
- The Whistle-Blower … Laura Tracey; 2001
- Little Bird … Rachel Lewis; 2000
- Forgotten … Rachel Monroe (alias Carla Hayden); 1999
- The Gift … Lynn, 1998
- Silent Witness … Sam Ryan; 21 February 1996 – 6 September 2004, BBC One
- The Precious Blood … Rosie Willis; 1996
- Peak Practice … Dr. Beth Glover/Kerruish; 1993-1995, ITV
- Lovejoy … Bonnie Wright in "Kids"; 15 March 1992, ITV
- Stay Lucky … Jane Higgs in "The Food of Love"; 1992, ITV
- Van der Valk … Elly van Roekel in "Doctor Hoffmann's Children"; 1991, ITV
- Medics … Vikki in "Jessica"; 1990, ITV
- A Casualty of War … Nicola; 1990
- The Storyteller: Greek Myths … Aithra; 1990
- Boon … Margaret Daly, 1988–89, ITV
- Inspector Morse … Mirella Lunghi in "The Settling of the Sun"; 15 March 1988, ITV
- Brookside … Heather Huntingdon/Haversham/Black; 1982–86, Channel 4
References and notes
External links
