Susan Cookson is one of the most recognisable faces on TV – and since joining the cast of Emmerdale in 2019, she hasn’t been short of gritty storylines to sink her teeth into.
It’s not been plain sailing for Susan’s character Wendy Posner since she arrived in the Dales.
She turned up four years ago to confront Victoria Sugden who accused her son Lee of raping her, and now she’s set for a rough time as she entangles herself in a web of lies to veteran character Bob Hope as she dives headfirst into a tricky affair storyline.
Outside of her stint on the long-running soap, telly fans across the country will recognise Susan as she’s appeared in a plethora of shows and was married to another famous face.
From her showreel on the small screen to her tragic personal life, here’s everything you need to know about Susan Cookson…
Previous acting gigs
Remarkably, the soap actress has played four different Dales characters, five on Doctors, two on Coronation Street and been in Hollyoaks.
Susan is best known for playing much-loved Casualty doctor Maggie Coldwell from 2005 to 2009.
She’s currently a firm favourite as Wendy Posner on Emmerdale, but it's actually not the first time Susan has rocked up in the village as she's played four separate characters on the soap in the last two decades.
Her debut came as an 'attendant' in 1993, then four years later she appeared in an episode as DC Fallon.
This followed by a far more substantial role in the police as DI Judy Dove, appearing in seven episodes from December 2002 until January 2003.
It seems Susan is the go-to actress for playing devoted mums who blindly stand by their evil sons, as she was Callum Logan's mum in Corrie back in 2015.
Once again, this wasn't her first Corrie job as Susan was cast as Mrs Briscoe for two episodes in 1998 before returning as Marion Logan 17 years later.
Marion was devastated when her son Callum vanished and got into a war with the Platts as she tried to take grandson Max away with her and spend time with Sarah's baby Harry.
However, when Marion returned after a three-year absence in 2019, her face was completely different as another actress had taken over the role.
Max's grandmother was played by The Bill star Kelly Peers and no official reason was given for Susan not returning.
However, it is assumed she could not come back due to her Emmerdale commitments as she is now a full-time cast member.
Susan has also done the soap circuit as she also appeared as a lawyer during Amy Barnes' murder trial in three episodes of Hollyoaks back in 2017.
In addition to that, she has played five different characters in Doctors - Angie Slade (2003), Cath Wylie (2009), Laura Hadley (2012), Caroline Watson (2015) and Debbie Parkes (2018).
You'll be hard pressed to find an iconic British TV show which Susan hasn't appeared in.
Susan has made appearances in Heartbeat, Fat Friends, Cold Feet, Cocking Off, Queer as Folk, Last tango in Halifax and Waterloo Road.
Personal life and tragedy
Away from the cameras, Susan was married to fellow actor Malcolm Scates, who has also appeared in countless British TV shows and will be known to many viewers.
The couple wed in 1993 and had two children together, Ruari and Dan, while living in Sheffield.
During her time on Casualty, Susan would have to make the 174 mile journey to Bristol to film the BBC medical drama and spend time away from her family.
In an interview with The Daily Record in 2008, she explained: "There have been times when I've had to say to my kids, 'I won't be here in the morning. I have to go back to Bristol tonight.' The tears well up in their eyes and they say, 'I don't want you to go! Please don't go! I hate Casualty!'
"I've just had to say to them, 'I have to work. If it wasn't me, your dad would have to be going away. One of us has to be working. But it will be fine. I'll see you in such and such...'
"It's been hard for Malc, too, but he's just the most supportive person. I know I couldn't have done it without him."
Malcolm will be recognised for his appearances in Fat Friends. Bad Girls, Holby City, The Bill, Shameless, Doctors and Waterloo Road.
The film star also has roles in 2010 film The Wolfman and played an 'angry man' in the first Inbetweeners movie.
Just like his wife, Malcolm had multiple soap roles over the years, including five different roles on Corrie from 1986 until 2010.
His biggest role in Weatherfield was as brewery boss Philip Newton, who had run ins with Bet Lynch and Fred Elliott and is the father of Henry Newton, who got into a relationship with Gemma Winter.
Over on Emmerdale, Malcolm had a long-standing part as PC Mitchum, who investigated Eric Pollard's antique frauds in 1993.
He also played Carol Wareing's criminal husband Gordon in July 2001 and was back in July 2012 as Henry Lewis.
Sadly, Malcolm tragically passed away in September 2016.
