Denise Black

Denise Black, a highly acclaimed English actress, made her significant television drama debut in the BBC series ‘Casualty’ in 1990, quickly establishing a prominent career in British television, film, and theatre. Prior to her television success, Black obtained her Equity card in 1980, performing her first professional role in ‘Miniatures’ at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. She then joined the Actor’s Touring Company, showcasing her talent in Shakespearean productions internationally. Upon returning to the UK, she appeared in ‘La Pasionaria’ at the Newcastle Playhouse and formed the jazz group Denise Black & the Kray Sisters, leading to appearances on Channel 4’s ‘Saturday Live’ and ‘Josie’, and performing on stage with Julian Clary at the Donmar Warehouse.

Her extensive stage career has garnered critical acclaim and awards, including a Manchester Evening News award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ for her performance in ‘Roots’ at the Royal Exchange. She also received an MEN Award for ‘The Rise and Fall of Little Voice’ in 2004. In 2013, Black joined the cast of another major British soap, ‘Emmerdale’, as Joanie Wright, becoming a regular cast member from 2015 to 2017. Her film credits include roles in ‘Last Orders’ and ‘The Last Tree’.

Most recently, Black received the ‘Best Performance In a Play’ award at the 2018 UK Theatre Awards for her compelling role in ‘The Cherry Orchard’. She appeared in the film ‘The Lady of Heaven’ in 2021 and is set to feature in the upcoming Disney+ series ‘Rivals’ in 2024, portraying the character Ms Madden. A versatile artist, Black also performs with her band, The Loose Screw, where she plays the autoharp and writes original songs, highlighting her diverse creative talents.