Sunetra Sarker

Last updated

Sunetra Sarker
Born (1973-06-25) 25 June 1973 (age 50)
Liverpool, England
Alma mater Brunel University London
OccupationActress
Years active1988–present
Spouses
Nick Corfield
​
​
(m. 2003;div. 2013)​
Scott Carey
​
(m. 2018)​
Children1
Relatives Nares Sen-Gupta (great-grandfather)

Sunetra Sarker (born 25 June 1973) [1] is an English actress and presenter, known for her roles as Nisha Batra in Brookside , Anji Mittel in No Angels , Zoe Hanna in Casualty and Kaneez Paracha in Ackley Bridge . In 2014, she took part in the twelfth series of Strictly Come Dancing , partnered with Brendan Cole. Since 2019, she has been a regular participant on Celebrity Gogglebox , partnering with Georgia Taylor, and became a panellist on the lunch time chat show Loose Women in 2021.

Contents

Early life

Sarker was born in Liverpool into an Indian family. [2] Her father is a retired doctor, [3] and her mother Bisakha taught Indian classical dance, [4] for which she was awarded an MBE in December 2013. [5] Sarker has a degree in Information Systems for Business in Europe from Brunel University London. [6] Her great-grandfather was the lawyer, novelist and political activist Nares Sen-Gupta. [7] [8] She is of Bengali origin. [9]

Career

Sarker has played a wide variety of roles in her career. Her initial success came when she was cast as recurring character Nisha Batra in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside from 1988 to 1991, before returning as a regular from 2000 until 2003. [10] Sarker also starred in the regional soap opera London Bridge . [11] This was followed by her portrayal of Anji Mittel in No Angels from 2004 to 2006. [12]

Sarker's next notable role was portraying the part of Clare Burns in the BBC drama The Chase , [13] until the show was pulled after its second series. In 2007, Sarker was a contestant on the celebrity cooking series Celebrity MasterChef . [14] Subsequently, Sarker played the role of Dr Zoe Hanna in the BBC medical drama Casualty from December 2007 until May 2016. [15] After her departure was announced, Sarker made a promise to co-star Jamie Davis that she would return for one episode when he decided to leave the programme, a promise she honoured in 2018, appearing in an episode broadcast on 13 January. [16] She later reprised the role for another guest stint, with her return set to air in 2024. [17]

In 2017, she played DCI Jane Burr in the second series of ITV's Safe House . [18] From 2017 to 2022, Sarker starred in the Channel 4 drama series Ackley Bridge as Kaneez Paracha, for which she received the award for Best TV Character at the Asian Media Awards. [19] On 23 July 2021, it was confirmed that Sarker would become a panellist on Loose Women . [20]

Strictly Come Dancing

In autumn 2014, Sarker competed in the twelfth series of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing , partnered with New Zealand professional dancer Brendan Cole. [21] In the first week, the couple danced a Tango to "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)" by Robert Palmer and scored 24. [22] In the second week they danced a Cha-cha-cha to "Million Dollar Bill" by Whitney Houston and scored 26. [23] In the third week the couple danced the American Smooth to "The Way You Look Tonight" from the film Swing Time and scored 40, including a 9 from head judge Len Goodman. [24] Because of Sunetra's filming schedule, the routine had to be learned in a single day. [25]

In the fourth week, the couple danced the Salsa to "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson and scored 27. [26] In the fifth week the couple danced the Viennese Waltz to "Anyone Who Had a Heart" by Cilla Black and scored 30. [27] In week six, opening the show, they danced a Jive to "Tainted Love" by Gloria Jones and scored 27. [28] In week seven they danced a Foxtrot to "All of Me" by John Legend and scored 31. [29] In week eight, at Blackpool, they danced a Samba to "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" by the Scissor Sisters and scored 30. [30] The couple were voted into the dance-off against Judy Murray and Anton du Beke, but were unanimously saved by the judges. In week nine they danced a Waltz, to "Last Request" by Paolo Nutini, and again scored 30, placing them in one from last place. The couple was voted into the dance-off with Steve Backshall and Ola Jordan, but were saved by three votes to one from the judges. In week ten, they danced a Rhumba to "The Girl from Ipanema" by Michael Bolton. They were again voted into the dance-off, against Mark Wright and Karen Hauer, but were unanimously voted out by the judges. [31]

Personal life

On 23 February 2017, Sarker and her ancestors were the subject of an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? shown on BBC One in which she traced them to Bengal. [9] She learned about her family's involvement in the struggle for independence in India and one of her ancestors' connection to Gandhi. [9] Travelling next to Bangladesh, she visited her great-grandmother's ancestral village where she discovered the story of how her family were caught up in the Bangladeshi war of independence from Pakistan in 1971. [32]

Sarker married Nick Corfield in 2003 and they have a son, Noah, born in 2001. [33] Sarker and Corfield divorced in 2009. [33] In November 2018 Sarker married Scott Carey, whom she has known since 1991. [33]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1988–1991, 2000–2003 Brookside Nisha Batra Regular role
1996 London Bridge Jyoti SolankiRecurring role
1999 Cold Feet Clare
2000 Playing the Field Dr Meera
2003 Doctors Donna Sykes
Emmerdale Priti Chowdry4 episodes
Eyes Down Karen2 episodes
2004 The Smoking Room Monique
Holby City Nanda Veer1 episode
2004–2006 No Angels Anji MittelMain role
2005–2008 Ideal SangitaMain role
2006 New Street Law Nita Shibani
2006–2007 The Chase Clare BurnsMain role
2007 Mobile DI Lorraine Conil
Celebrity MasterChef Contestant
2007–2016, 2018, 2024 Casualty Dr. Zoe Hanna Main role
2012 Doctor Who Indira1 episode ("Dinosaurs on a Spaceship")
2014 Puppy Love Lilli Kusiak2 episodes
Strictly Come Dancing Contestant Series 12
2017 Death In Paradise Hetma Patel2 episodes ("A Man Overboard" Part 1 & 2)
Broadchurch Sahana HarrisonSeries 3
Safe House DCI Jane BurrSeries 2
KinBeckyShort film
You, Me, HimCarolFilm
2017–2022 Ackley Bridge Kaneez Paracha Main role
2018 Informer Sadia SharMain role; 6 episodes
2019 Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star HerselfGuest star
2019 Celebrity Gogglebox HerselfMain cast; with Georgia Taylor
2020 Cold Feet Deborah3 episodes [11]
2021 The Bay Stella6 episodes
2021–present Loose Women Regular panellistPanellist
2021Hornby: A Model WorldNarratorSeries 1
2023Eurovision Welcomes the WorldCo-presenterWith Rylan [34]
2024– Professor T DCI Maiya GoswamiRecurring role [35]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2001 TV Quick Awards Best New Actor/ActressBrooksideNominated [36]
2013 18th National Television Awards Drama Performance: FemaleCasualtyNominated [37]
2014 19th National Television Awards Drama PerformanceCasualtyNominated [38]
2016 Inside Soap Awards Best Drama StarCasualtyNominated [39]
2019Asian Media AwardsBest TV CharacterAckley BridgeWon [40]

Related Research Articles

<i>Strictly Come Dancing</i> British television series

Strictly Come Dancing is a British dance contest show in which celebrities partner with professional dancers to compete in mainly ballroom and Latin dance. Each couple is scored by a panel of judges. The title of the show is a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing. The format has been exported to 60 other countries under the title Dancing with the Stars, licensed by BBC Worldwide, and led to a modern dance-themed spin-off Strictly Dance Fever. The Guinness World Records named Strictly as the world's most successful reality television format in 2010. The series is currently presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Bruce Forsyth co-presented the series with Daly until 2014.

Brendan Cole is a New Zealand ballroom dancer, specialising in Latin American dancing. He is most famous for appearing as a professional dancer on the BBC One show, Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 to 2017. From 2005 to 2009, he was a judge on the New Zealand version of the show, Dancing with the Stars.

Lisa Jane Riley is an English actress, comedian and television presenter. Riley is best known for portraying the role of Mandy Dingle in the long-running ITV soap opera Emmerdale between 1995 and 2001, and from 2019 onwards. She also replaced Jeremy Beadle as the presenter of You've Been Framed! between 1998 and 2002. She was also a contestant on the tenth series of Strictly Come Dancing, and a panellist on the ITV daytime series Loose Women.

James Jordan is an English ballroom dancer and choreographer. His dance partner is his wife Ola Jordan, with whom he turned professional in 2000. Jordan appeared as a professional on Strictly Come Dancing from 2006 to 2013. In August 2014, he participated in the fourteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother. He finished in third place. He returned as an All-Star for the nineteenth series, where he was evicted in thirteenth place.

Chelsea Jade Healey, known as Chelsee Healey, is an English actress. She is known for playing Janeece Bryant in the BBC school-based drama series Waterloo Road, Honey Wright in the BBC medical drama series Casualty (2014–2015), and Goldie McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks (2016–present).

The twenty-sixth series of the British medical drama television series Casualty commenced airing in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 13 August 2011, one week after the end of the previous series. It is the first series in the history of the show to begin without a break from the previous series and the first to begin in August rather than the traditional September launch. This series featured forty-two episodes, which was five episodes less than the previous series. Series twenty-six was the first series to broadcast in high definition, with the first high definition episode broadcast from episode 17. The episode also saw the first episode to be filmed at the new set in Cardiff. The show saw its twenty-fifth anniversary in September 2011 and in March 2012, the show aired their first ever three-part story which centred on gang violence. The series concluded with a two-part riot storyline, entitled '#HolbyRiot', which aired on 21 and 22 July 2012. The series was originally planned to finish on 21 July, but due to a postponed episode on 30 June, the finale was moved to the following day.

The twenty-eighth series of Casualty began airing on BBC One on 3 August 2013, one week after the end of the previous series. This series consisted of 48 episodes, the highest episode order since series 24. The series concluded on 23 August 2014.

Strictly Come Dancing returned for its eleventh series beginning with a launch show on 7 September 2013, and the live shows beginning on 27 and 28 September 2013. Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly returned to co-present the main show on BBC One, with Claudia Winkleman presenting the results show alongside Daly. Zoe Ball returned as presenter of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC Two. Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli also returned as judges.

The twenty−ninth series of the British medical drama television series Casualty commenced airing in the United Kingdom on 30 August 2014, and concluded on 23 August 2015. The series consisted of 46 episodes. Erika Hossington continued her role as series producer, while Oliver Kent continued his role as the show's executive producer.

The thirtieth series of the British medical drama television series Casualty commenced airing on BBC One in the United Kingdom on 29 August 2015, and concluded on 30 July 2016. The series consisted of 43 episodes, including the broadcast of the show's 1000th episode on 25 June 2016. Erika Hossington continued her role as series producer, while Oliver Kent continued his role as the show's executive producer. Seventeen cast members reprised their roles from the previous series with five actors, including three long-serving cast members, departing during this series. Chelsea Halfpenny appeared in the serial between September and November 2015 as F2 Alicia Munroe, reprising the role as a main cast member in July 2016. Alistair Brammer joined the cast for a four-month guest stint as receptionist Jack Diamond in December 2015. Three new regular cast members joined the serial in spring 2016: Lloyd Everitt as paramedic Jez Andrews; Jason Durr as staff nurse David Hide; and Jaye Griffiths as consultant Elle Gardner.

Strictly Come Dancing returned for its twelfth series beginning from 7 September 2014 with a launch show, and the live shows began on 26 and 27 September. Tess Daly returned to present the main show on BBC One alongside Claudia Winkleman, who was promoted to co-presenter in addition to the results show after Sir Bruce Forsyth departed the show after the eleventh series; however, Forsyth continued to host the Christmas and Children in Need specials. Zoe Ball returned as presenter of the spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC Two. Judges Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli also returned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zoe Hanna</span> Fictional character from the BBC medical drama Casualty

Zoe Hanna is a fictional character in BBC's medical drama Casualty, portrayed by Sunetra Sarker. She first appeared in the series twenty-two episode "Take a Cup of Kindness", broadcast on 29 December 2007. The character was a consultant in emergency medicine at Holby City Hospital's emergency department. Sarker chose to take a temporary break from the show in 2014 and Zoe departed from the show in the series 28 episode "A Life Less Lived", broadcast on 23 August 2014. She returned in the series 29 episode "Return to Sender", broadcast on 25 October 2014. Sarker later decided to leave the series indefinitely, but producers asked that she did not announce her departure in order to surprise viewers. After over 8 years on-screen, Zoe departed the series in the series 30 episode "Hello, I Must Be Going", broadcast on 7 May 2016. It was confirmed in September 2017 that Zoe would return for a single episode. She appeared in the nineteenth episode of series 32, broadcast on 13 January 2018. Sarker reprised the role again in 2023 for two episodes linked to Charlie Fairhead's exit; they feature in series 38 and will air in 2024.

Strictly Come Dancing returned for its thirteenth series on BBC One with a launch show on 5 September 2015, and the live shows beginning on 25 September 2015. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned to present the launch show and the live shows while Zoe Ball returned to present Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on BBC Two. Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, and Bruno Tonioli all returned as judges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Fairhead</span> Fictional character from the BBC medical dramas Casualty and Holby City

Charlie Fairhead, played by Derek Thompson, is a fictional character from the BBC British medical drama Casualty. He is the longest-serving character, having been part of the cast for over 37 years, the only remaining original character from the first episode broadcast on 6 September 1986.

"Forsaking All Others – Part Two" is the forty-sixth episode of the twenty-ninth series of the British medical drama television series Casualty. The episode was written by Matthew Barry and directed by Julie Edwards, and premiered on BBC One on 23 August 2015, just one day after the first part of the series finale. The episode features the wedding of established characters Zoe Hanna, a consultant in emergency medicine, and Max Walker, a porter at the fictitious emergency department of Holby City.

"Hello, I Must Be Going" is the thirty-fourth episode of the thirtieth series of the British medical drama television series Casualty, and the 995th episode of the overall series. The episode was written by Jeff Povey and directed by Steve Hughes, and premiered on BBC One on 7 May 2016. The episode features the departure of established character Zoe Hanna, an ED consultant, who left the show after nine years. Sarker's departure was kept secret until transmission in order to surprise viewers. Producers were upset when Sarker announced her decision to leave, but ensured writers created a good story for the character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amy Dowden</span> Welsh dancer (born 1990)

Amy Dowden is a Welsh professional ballroom and Latin American dancer from Caerphilly, Wales, best known for her appearances on the BBC One television show Strictly Come Dancing. Dowden joined the series in 2017, and in 2019, she was a finalist in the seventeenth series with TV presenter Karim Zeroual. Dowden and her partner Ben Jones are former British National Latin Dance Champions. She has the Guinness World Record for the most back-Charleston kick-steps in 30 seconds (2022). She has a twin sister and an older brother.

Episode 1068 is the nineteenth episode of the thirty-second series of the British medical drama television series Casualty, and the 1068th episode of the overall series. The episode was written by Matthew Barry and Kelly Jones and directed by Judith Dine, and premiered on BBC One on 13 January 2018. The episode features the return of Zoe Hanna, who departed the drama in 2016, and departure of Zoe's estranged husband Max Walker, who has appeared on the drama for over three years. Sarker reprised her role for Davis' exit following a deal they made when she left the series. Davis' departure was not announced before the transmission of the episode as to surprise viewers, and the couple departed together.

Strictly Come Dancing returned for its eighteenth series with a launch show on 17 October 2020 on BBC One, and the live shows beginning on 24 October. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the series launched a month later than usual and ran for only nine weeks instead of the usual thirteen. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned as hosts, while Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark-Neal returned to host Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Clark-Neal was replaced by Gethin Jones for four shows after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaneez Paracha</span> Fictional character from Ackley Bridge

Kaneez Paracha is a fictional character from the Channel 4 school drama Ackley Bridge, portrayed by Sunetra Sarker. Kaneez first appeared in the pilot episode of the series, first broadcast on 7 June 2017. Kaneez is the mother of protagonist Nasreen, as well as Razia and Saleem. Kaneez's storylines in the series have included ending her arranged marriage with her husband Iqbal, pursuing a relationship with science teacher Rashid Hyatt and becoming a student support officer.

References

  1. ↑ Tina Miles (15 November 2014). "Strictly Come Dancing star Sunetra Sarker dedicated 'Sambanetra' to Liverpool mums". Liverpool Echo.
  2. ↑ "Series 12, Strictly Come Dancing - Sunetra Sarker - BBC One". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  3. ↑ Shennan, Paddy (31 December 2007). "I'm happy to be a Casualty of success". liverpoolecho. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  4. ↑ "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing". BBC. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  5. ↑ Catherine Jones (31 December 2013). "New Year's honours list recognition for Merseysiders - Liverpool Echo". liverpoolecho.
  6. ↑ "Sunetra Sarker". sightsavers.net. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  7. ↑ "Sunetra Sarker: It was 'astonishing' finding my family's links to Gandhi". Whatsontv.co.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  8. ↑ "BBC iPlayer - Who Do You Think You Are? - Series 13: 9. Sunetra Sarker". BBC . 22 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 "WDYTYA? episode summary: Sunetra Sarker". Who Do You Think You Are? . 20 February 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "'Mobile' star Sunetra Sarker". Digital Spy . Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  11. 1 2 Fear, Helen (10 October 2019). "Former Casualty star Sunetra Sarker joins the cast of Cold Feet". Entertainment Daily. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  12. ↑ "My little angel; Dawn Collinson talks to actress Sunetra Sarker about the joys of motherhood". thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "BBC - Drama - The Chase - Other characters". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "Five things you didn't know about Strictly Come Dancing beauty Sunetra Sarker". Daily Express . 30 November 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  15. ↑ "Sunetra Sarker (Zoe Hanna, 'Casualty')". Digital Spy. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  16. ↑ "Sunetra Sarker on Zoe and Max's happy ending: Jamie Davis asked me to come back!". 13 January 2018.
  17. ↑ Kitson, Calli (8 September 2023). "Zoe Hanna returns to Casualty as Sunetra Sarker reprises role". Metro . Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  18. ↑ "ITV announces brand new season of original event drama Safe House". itv.com. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  19. ↑ "Sunetra Sarker wins Best TV Character at the Asian Media Awards for her performance in Ackley Bridge". The Forge.
  20. ↑ Warner, Sam (23 July 2021). "Loose Women announce two new panellists joining the show". Digital Spy .
  21. ↑ "Strictly Come Dancing: Full celebrity line-up confirmed". BBC News. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  22. ↑ "BBC – Blogs – Strictly Come Dancing – Strictly Week One: Leaderboard". BBC. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  23. ↑ "BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing, Series 12 - Sunetra Sarker". BBC.
  24. ↑ "BBC – Blogs – Strictly Come Dancing – Leaderboard: Week Three". BBC. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  25. ↑ Cathy Owen (18 October 2014). "How Strictly Come Dancing's Sunetra Sarker splits her time between Cardiff and the dancefloor". Wales Online .
  26. ↑ "BBC – Blogs – Strictly Come Dancing – Leaderboard: Week Four". BBC. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  27. ↑ "BBC – Blogs – Strictly Come Dancing – Leaderboard: Week Five". 25 October 2014.
  28. ↑ "BBC – Blogs – Strictly Come Dancing – Leaderboard: Halloween Week". November 2014.
  29. ↑ "BBC – Blogs – Strictly Come Dancing – Leaderboard: Week Seven". 8 November 2014.
  30. ↑ "BBC – Blogs – Strictly Come Dancing – Leaderboard: Blackpool". 15 November 2014.
  31. ↑ "Strictly Come Dancing | Series 12 – 11. Strictly Come Dancing: The Results: Part Two". Radio Times . 8 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  32. ↑ "Sunetra Sarker". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  33. 1 2 3 "Casualty star Sunetra Sarker marries long-term partner Scott Carey - see wedding snap". Hello! . 12 November 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  34. ↑ "Eurovision Welcomes the World". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  35. ↑ "Professor T". itv.com/presscentre. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  36. ↑ "Welcome to the TVQuick Awards 2001!". TV Quick . H Bauer Publishing. Archived from the original on 20 July 2001. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  37. ↑ Fletcher, Alex (22 September 2012). "National Television Awards 2013: Longlist nominations in full - vote". Digital Spy . Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  38. ↑ Fletcher, Alex (17 September 2013). "National Television Awards 2014 voting opens: The full longlist". Digital Spy .
  39. ↑ Sandwell, Ian (21 June 2016). "Inside Soap Awards 2016 longlist revealed". Digital Spy . Retrieved 23 June 2016.
  40. ↑ "Asian Media Awards 2019 Winners". Asian Media Awards. 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.