But the two personalities couldn’t be farther apart! Living near Burnley, Susan would often visit her older sister in Sheffield quite frequently as she loved the town so much and later decided to move there as the location was perfect for her and her husband, actor Malcolm Scates to have easy access to filming locations such as Manchester, Leeds and London, but also a perfect place for their children, Rory and Dan to go to school.
Susan first became interested in acting when she was visiting the theatre a lot whilst studying A level Fine Art and Embroidery at college. “I used to go to the theatre quite a lot because my sister worked at the Royal Exchange and she’d get me tickets for the previews.” After gaining her qualifications, Susan decided that she wanted to take some time out as she didn’t want to work for a degree and therefore decided to see whether she could get a job at the local theatre. She started working at the Palace Theatre in Manchester for a while dressing and from there started making costumes for the Oldham Coliseum Theatre. At this theatre, Susan became more interested in the acting side to the productions being made.
“You sit there thinking, ‘I could do that, I could learn a few words and walk about’” It was by chance that the backstage crew at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre staged a spoof version of the pantomime which was being shown at the theatre and this was where the director spotted Susan’s talents and was so impressed by her performance that he promised to keep her in mind for any future roles. Susan convinced the director into getting an Equity card and towards the end of the year, the director let Susan play the part of the cat in the production of Dick Whittington. Susan played this role for around eight or nine weeks and then starred in another production ‘Playboy Of The Western World’ and then another panto. In between acting in the theatre, Susan used to help out behind the bar and pull pints. Not only was this going to be an effective skill to have for when she would start acting on television, but she also met her future husband. “I’d work in wardrobe when he was acting, so we’d known each other for a while. But it wasn’t until I was working behind the bar that we chatted each other up.”
Susan started her acting in various small guest roles such as the film ‘Raining Stones,’ whilst making her TV debut in Band Of Gold. Other smaller roles in television include ‘Into the Fire’ and long running shows such as ‘Heartbeat’ and ‘Peak Practice.’ It wasn’t until Casualty offered Susan the part of Anaesthetist Julie Day, that Susan had a reoccurring role from September 1999 through to March 2000 in Series 14. Other smaller roles were included parts in programmes such as Queer as Folk and also playing the sister of Lesley Sharp’s character Janice Piper in the textile factory drama, Clocking Off in 2000. Before her second guest star role in Clocking Off in 2001, Susan appeared in the intense drama The Innocent playing DC Morgan. Playing a member of the law had its advantages in knowing the crime knowledge as the following year, Susan played DC Marie Snitynski in the true life drama following the conviction of GP Harold Shipman and then in the same year, Susan guest starred as DI Judy Dove in long running soap Emmerdale.
It wasn’t until Early Doors was aired in 2003 that Susan became a household name playing the role of Tanya, a barmaid at the local pub, The Grapes. The commentary by scriptwriter Craig Cash on the DVD extras suggested that they had wished they had used Susan more through the first series, however a second series was produced in 2004 where viewers saw the romance build between Tanya and pub landlord Ken.
In 2005, saw Susan have another major role in Casualty playing Maggie Coldwell. Her character is loved by many fans for her caring nature for her patients but also her ability to stand for what she believes in.
Susan's storyline's in Casualty have proved what an outstanding actress she is throughout the years. We've seen Maggie struggling with family life and trying to cope with her father's Alzheimers. Along with family troubles, new nurse, Bruno, played by Mark Bonnar arrives in Holby. He has previously worked with Maggie at another hospital and it's clear to see that the pair do not get on. He constantly annoys Maggie by trying to cause trouble in the hospital and also causing a rift between Maggie and her children by letting slip that Jamie and Joanne's father, Steve, is alive and in prison. Joanne is pleased to have contact with her father, however Jamie is shocked and decides to leave home with no where to go.
During Series 20, Maggie is intrigued as who is sending romantic messages to her email address. With a little help from Alice, played by Sam Grey, the mystery man is revealed to be Derek Thompson's character, Charlie. Or is it? The pair arrange to go on a date but then realise they have been set up and the emails have been sent by Charlie's son, Louis. As Maggie celebrates her 40th birthday meal, she is shocked to see husband Steve turn up to the restaurant asking to talk. He explains he's got a job teaching English in Malaysia and he wants Jamie and Joanne to go over there with him. Maggie is upset when Joanne wants to leave, and with Jamie still away from home, she is relieved when he turns up at the hospital, a little unwell, but alive. After feeling guilty about lying to her children about their father, she decides she must do the right thing and encourages them that Malaysia would be a good opportunity for them. Inside, Maggie is gutted when they agree to go.