Jo Joyner

Joanne Mary "Jo" Joyner (born 24 May 1977) is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Tanya Branning in the BBC soap opera EastEnders and Mandy Carter in Channel 4 drama Ackley Bridge.

Since 2018 she has played the leading role of Luella Shakespeare in BBC crime drama Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators.

Joyner was born in Harlow, Essex to Anne (née McCormick) and Peter Joyner. She has one older brother, David. In 1999, she graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama with a BA in Acting.

Joyner‘s main television roles include No Angels from 2004 until 2006, Candy Cabs and Trying Again in 2014, Ordinary Lies in 2015, Mount Pleasant from 2016 until 2017 and Ackley Bridge from 2017. Other television roles include Marley's Ghosts, The Interceptor, North and South and Doctor Who. Since 2018, Joyner has played private investigator Luella Shakespeare in the BBC drama Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators.

EastEnders

Joyner originally turned down the role on EastEnders as she had doubts over whether she could work in a soap opera. She said "It was a massive decision. I said no originally. Playing someone in a soap is a big responsibility. People are very protective of the soap and if you are rubbish you can't get away from it." Also, having worked quietly and successfully in the industry for eight years, Joyner was unsure if she would be comfortable with the level of fame being on EastEnders would bring her. Joyner won the 'Most Popular Actress' award at the Digital Spy Soap Awards in 2008 for the part of Tanya and also went on to win 'Best Dramatic Performance' at the 2008 British Soap Awards and made the final four in the 'Best Actress' category. Joyner was nominated for the "best actress" award at the All About Soap Awards in 2012 and later won the award. In 2012, Joyner and Wood won the Best On-Screen Partnership category at the British Soap Awards. On Digital Spy's 2012 end of year reader poll, Joyner was nominated for "Best Female Soap Actor" and came fourth with 13.4% of the vote.

On 1 May 2012, it was reported that Joyner would take a prolonged break from the show at the end of her current contract, to spend time with her family, and an inside source stated that she "will definitely return". However, on 1 April 2013, it was announced that Joyner's departure would be indefinite as she wished to try new career paths. Speaking of this, Joyner said, "I love playing Tanya and being part of such a great show, but she has been on quite a rollercoaster over the past seven years and I have come to realise that it's right for her to step away from Walford for a bit longer than originally planned. I have been very fortunate to have been part of some fantastic storylines over the years, and I have worked with some wonderful people during my time on the show which I will always be very grateful for, but I feel that as a mother and an actress it is time for me to explore some other avenues for a while." Executive Producer Lorraine Newman stated that whilst Tanya will be missed, her exit will bring a new era to the Branning family but refused to say how Tanya will leave the show. Joyner filmed her final scenes on 15 May 2013. She departed the show on 28 June 2013. Joyner reprised the role of Tanya in EastEnders for the 30th anniversary specials in February 2015 and again on Christmas Day 2017 as part of the storyline surrounding the exits of her onscreen daughters Lauren and Abi. Joyner's return to EastEnders was only ever for a short stint, as other work commitments would not allow for a full-time return to the show. Her last appearance was on 16 February 2018.

Joyner has been married to Neil Madden since 14 July 2007. Joyner announced in July 2009 that she was pregnant with twins as a result of IVF treatment. She gave birth to fraternal twins Freddie McCormick and Edie Rose Madden on 7 December 2009.

• Joyner's Rose d'Or award means she was inducted into the Elite Golden Rose of Montreux Hall of Fame.
• (*) means there were two round of nominations for a publicly voted category. "Longlisted" means Joyner made the first round of nominations and "Shortlisted" means she made the second (final) round.