Sinéad Keenan is starring in Netflix's new comedy drama, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, which follows three long-time friends in their late 30s who reunite after the mysterious death of an old classmate.
The Irish actress, 48, is perhaps best known for starring as no-nonsense detective Jessica James in ITV's popular crime drama Unforgotten, having shot to fame in the supernatural series Being Human years earlier.
No stranger to hit TV dramas, Sinéad's credits include Little Boy Blue, Showtrial and Three Families. While she's a regular face on our screens, how much do you know about her life off-camera?
Keep reading to find out more…
Sinéad's home life with husband Chris McGill
When she's not filming her next big drama, Sinéad can be found at home in Stratford-upon-Avon with her husband, the TV director Chris McGill, and their two sons, who are aged eight and ten.
Sinéad met her other half 20 years ago during a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company. "We were in A Midsummer Night’s Dream," she told The i Paper. "I was playing Hermia; he was playing a fairy! He was the understudy Lysander to my Hermia."
Chris has directed episodes of EastEnders and Holby City and collaborated with his wife on the 2020 short film, The Snatcher. Sinéad starred in the film while Chris directed.
© NetflixSinéad's family life
Speaking about juggling her career with her family life, Sinéad revealed that she only says yes to projects that are worth the sacrifice of her time at home. "I have kids now, so a script or a project has to be worth me doing," the actress told Best Quality Designer Handbag .
"When I say worth me doing, it means worth me being away from home for a certain amount of time."
Sinéad also said her and her husband take it in turns when it comes to taking jobs. "One of us is always at home, so he has taken the hit in terms of having to turn down work when I'm away, and equally, I've taken the hit when he's been away," she explained.
© NetflixSinéad's famous siblings
Sinéad has two siblings who also work in the acting industry. Her younger sister is Gráinne Keenan, who has appeared in Victoria, Doctors and Blood. She also appears in Unforgotten as Sinéad's on-screen sister, Debbie.
© PA Images via Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Sinéad's brother, Rory Keenan, is also an actor who has appeared in Somewhere Boy, The Duchess and Peaky Blinders. But the showbiz connections don't end there because Rory is married to fellow actress Gemma Arterton.
