Jenny McCracken

Last updated
Jenny McCracken
Born
Jennifer Anne Morris

(1946-04-09) 9 April 1946 (age 79)
OccupationsActress, acting coach
Years active1964–

Jenny McCracken (born 9 April 1946) is a British actress. Her memorable roles are as Jenny in series 1 of sitcom The Mistress , Glenda Jackson in children's football series Jossy's Giants , Clara Peggotty in the 1986 adaptation of David Copperfield and Linda Kelsey in series 5 of Peak Practice .

Contents

Early life

As a young girl, McCracken wanted to become an actress when playing dress-up. [1] In 1964, she appeared in an episode of Crossroads before attending Rose Bruford College. It was here that she met Jeremy McCracken from the Class of 1966. On 29 October that year, they were married in Bexhill-on-Sea [2] before she graduated the following year. [3] Looking for stage work in London, the couple ended up working as cleaners, as well as babysitting dogs. [4] Eventually, he became a film editor for Thames Television, [5] producer and freelance director.

Career

In 1970, McCracken along with Cheryl Hall, was on the final shortlist of six actresses for the role of companion Jo Grant in science fiction series Doctor Who . Ultimately, Katy Manning won the part but as a direct consequence of their auditions, producer Barry Letts promised the two candidates he'd use them in the future. True to his word, he cast them in guest roles when directing Carnival of Monsters two years later. [6]

McCracken's other television work includes Z-Cars , The First Lady , Counterstrike , Detective , ITV Sunday Night Theatre , Ace of Wands , Special Branch , Dawson's Weekly , The Dick Emery Show , Only When I Laugh , The Fourth Arm , Dombey and Son , Dramarama , Casualty , The Bill , Jackanory , The Worst Witch , Holby City , Heartbeat , Doctors and Judge John Deed .

She also featured in many commercials, [7] providing voicework in different accents, [8] mainly in ability to speak French, German and Spanish fluently. [4]

Later life

In addition to acting, McCracken has worked as an acting coach at the Actors Centre in London, training people hoping to enter the acting profession. [9] Among those she has trained include actor Luke Goss, [10] as well as coaching on the film The Fifth Element . [11]

References

  1. "Jenny has not just a pretty head of hair". Hull Daily Mail . 25 May 1973. p. 12. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  2. "Here comes the bride – again". Lincolnshire Echo . 10 October 1986. p. 6. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  3. "Alumni L-M - Rose Bruford". catalogue.bruford.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  4. 1 2 "Getting out of corsets". Daily Mirror . 15 February 1977. p. 19. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  5. "The Troubles given a 450-minute series by Thames". The Stage . 9 October 1980. p. 16. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  6. [DVD Commentary] Doctor Who: Carnival of Monsters (Special Edition) (DVD2012). BBC Warner. ASIN: B005SJGI90
  7. "They're the new elite of showbiz... the telly ad show-stoppers". Sunday People . 17 November 1974. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  8. "Jenny's a hit..." Daily Record . 15 February 1977. p. 14. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  9. "Drama Training, Schools & Coaches: Jenny McCracken Acting Coach". Contacts (90–92): 157. 2001. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  10. Simpson, M. J. (21 July 2013). "interview: Luke Goss". mjsimpson-films.blogspot.com. Retrieved 24 December 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. "London School of Musical Theatre at Her Majesty's: Summer Course". The Stage. 17 April 1997. p. 21. Retrieved 24 December 2025. (Advertisement)