Suranne Jones Siblings: Getting to Know Gary
Actress Suranne Jones PHOTO/Getty Images
Suranne Jones, born Sarah Anne Jones on August 27, 1978, in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, England, is an acclaimed English actress and producer.
Known professionally as Suranne, a name inspired by her great-grandmother, she adopted it as her stage name when joining the actors’ union Equity due to her birth name already being taken.
Raised in a Catholic household by her parents, Chris, an engineer, and Jenny, a secretary, Jones grew up on Foxdenton Lane, surrounded by rural landscapes that sparked her imaginative spirit.
Jones honed her craft at the Oldham Theatre Workshop, earning a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts, which laid the foundation for her illustrious career.
Siblings
Suranne has one sibling, an older brother named Gary.
Growing up in Greater Manchester, the siblings were raised in a close-knit Catholic family, where their shared experiences included memorable moments like cows peering through their windows during meals, a testament to their rural surroundings.
While Suranne has spoken fondly of her family, including her brother, little public information exists about Gary’s personal life or career, as he remains out of the spotlight.
Career
Jones’s career began in her teens, with her professional debut on television in 1997, playing Mandy Phillips in a single episode of the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.
This brief role paved the way for her return to the show in 2000 as Karen McDonald, a fiery character she portrayed until 2004, earning her widespread recognition and a Best Actress award at the British Soap Awards.
After leaving Coronation Street, Jones transitioned to diverse roles in television dramas, showcasing her versatility.
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She starred as Beth in Vincent (2005–2006), Linda and Nelson in Strictly Confidential (2006), and Dr. Martha Elliot in Harley Street (2008).
Her portrayal of Ruth Slater in the miniseries Unforgiven (2009) garnered critical acclaim, marking her as a serious dramatic talent.
Jones’s collaboration with screenwriter Sally Wainwright proved pivotal, first in Unforgiven and later in Scott & Bailey (2011–2016), where she played Detective Rachel Bailey, a role she co-created with her friend and former co-star Sally Lindsay.
Her international breakthrough came with Doctor Foster (2015–2017), where she portrayed the betrayed GP Gemma Foster, a performance that resonated globally.
Jones continued to take on complex roles, including Anne Lister in Gentleman Jack (2019–2022), a historical drama about a 19th-century lesbian landowner, and DCI Amy Silva in Vigil (2021).
In 2025, she stars as British Prime Minister Abigail Dalton in Netflix’s political thriller Hostage, a role that blends personal and national crises.
Beyond acting, Jones has ventured into producing, notably with Maryland (2023) through her production company TeamAkers, and presenting, as seen in her 2024 Channel 4 documentary Suranne Jones: Investigating Witch Trials.
Her theatre work, including roles in Top Girls (2011) and Frozen, further highlights her range, cementing her status as a multifaceted performer.
Accolades
Jones’ breakout role as Karen McDonald in Coronation Street earned her the Best Actress award at the 2004 British Soap Awards.
Her portrayal of Gemma Foster in Doctor Foster was a career-defining moment, securing her the 2016 BAFTA Television Award for Best Actress, the National Television Award for Best Drama Performance, and other honors, reflecting the show’s critical and popular success.
Jones’s performance in Unforgiven received widespread praise, contributing to her reputation for portraying complex, strong female characters.
Additionally, her appearance as the TARDIS in the Doctor Who episode “The Doctor’s Wife” earned her the Best Supporting Actress award from readers of Doctor Who Magazine.
Jones’s contributions as a producer, particularly for Doctor Foster and Maryland, have also been recognized, showcasing her growing influence behind the camera.