Jo Hartley

Biography

Jo Hartley is a talented English actress, recognized for her diverse roles across film and television. Born in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester, Hartley grew up in a working-class family and attended North Chadderton School. Her passion for acting ignited at the young age of 11 when she performed as Gretel Von Trappe in her school's production of The Sound of Music.

Hartley honed her craft at Oldham Theatre Workshop until she left at 17 to pursue a career in British Aerospace as a secretary. After two years, she transitioned to Japan Airlines as a flight attendant before returning to acting. Her film career began with a notable role in the 2004 crime drama Dead Man's Shoes, directed by Shane Meadows. She continued to build her filmography with appearances in productions like This Is England (2006), The Young Victoria (2009), and Eddie the Eagle (2016).

On television, Hartley has showcased her talent in series such as This Is England '86 (2010), After Life (2019-2022), and In My Skin (2020). Notably, she played a pivotal role in the BBC's In My Skin, portraying a mother with bipolar disorder. In 2021, her performance in Sweetheart earned her a BIFA nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Hartley also featured in the 2023 film Bank of Dave, and in 2024, she took on the lead role in the comedy Swede Caroline, showcasing her continued evolution as an actress.