Sarah Jayne Dunn

Early life

Dunn was born in Leigh and educated at Lowton High School, excelling in drama and performing arts, and a part-time career as a model. When the school changed its name and became a college for sport, Dunn returned to formally open the college.

Hollyoaks

Dunn first appeared on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks on 12 September 1996, walking into the video shop in the forty-third episode. Mandy came into the village at the age of 14 as a "wannabe supermodel" and quickly formed a friendship with Ollie Benson. In 2003, Dunn played a supporting role in the Brookside Unfinished Business. In 2004 Dunn appeared in the fitness DVD Hollyoaks Dance workout with Ali Bastian (Becca Dean) and Jodi Albert (Debbie Dean). Dunn left Hollyoaks as a cast regular in 2006.

Dunn has since returned to Hollyoaks three times. In February 2007 for a two episode stint for the funeral of Mandy's best friend, Becca Dean. She returned in 2008 for six months, leaving in December after the disastrous wedding of Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) and Louise Summers (Roxanne McKee). In November 2010 Dunn returned to Hollyoaks with a one-year contract alongside Jamie Lomas, leaving in September 2011.

Television

In 2007 Dunn appeared in single episodes of the BBC One series The Innocence Project, the BBC Three series Drop Dead Gorgeous and It's Adam and Shelley. She has also appeared in nine episodes of BBC One's medical soap opera Doctors. She has also appeared in an episode of Big Brother's Little Brother. In January 2010 Dunn appeared with Helen Noble on Ready Steady Cook. In January 2011 Dunn appeared in the former reality show Famous and Fearless on Channel 4. In May 2011 Dunn appeared in two episodes of the three part BBC Three series Exile. In October 2011 Dunn appeared in an episode of the BBC One reality series The Real Hustle. In 2014/15 she played international charity worker Taylor Ashbie in the BBC One medical drama Casualty ((Series 29, episodes 13 to 29)), who became the girlfriend of cast regular Caleb Knight (Richard Winsor). She left after it was revealed that the charity was actually a con-trick, and that she had knowing conned Knight. She returned to the production in late 2015.

Film

In 2007 Dunn had lead roles in the Short Films Northern Cowboys. and Betting in Bars. Dunn had a brief role in the 2008 film, The Dark Knight. In 2011 she played a character called Victoria in a film called Death.

Theatre

Dunn played Gloria in a UK regional tour of the comedy play Boeing, Boeing. The tour started at the Liverpool Playhouse on 18 December 2008 and finished at the Birmingham Rep on 25 April 2009. Dunn appeared in a tour of The Vagina Monologues which began on 7 September 2009 at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley and ended on 8 December 2009 at the Jersey Opera House. In 2010 Dunn played Sally in the UK regional theatre tour of When Harry Met Sally which started on 3 February at the Theatre Royal Wakefield, and ended on 26 June at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre. When Harry met Sally then played at the Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin, Ireland for one week ending on 3 July 2010.

Theatre School

In September 2007, it was announced that, along with her former Hollyoaks colleague Helen Noble and theatre actor Graham Tudor she would be teaching students at a new acting school in Liverpool.

Awards and nominations

2007

2006

2002