Pauline Quirke: The Actress Behind Some of Our Most Beloved Characters

Pauline Quirke is a British actress, writer, and director who has been active in the entertainment industry for over 50 years. She is best known for her roles as Hazel in Birds of a Feather, Sarah Lawson in Emmerdale, and Mandy Carter in Casualty.

Early Life and Career

Pauline Quirke was born on July 9, 1950, in Hammersmith, London. She began her acting career as a teenager, appearing in commercials and small television roles. She made her breakthrough in 1979 when she was cast in the sitcom Birds of a Feather alongside Lesley Joseph.

Birds of a Feather and Beyond

Birds of a Feather was a huge success, and Quirke's character,Hazel, became one of the most beloved sitcom characters of all time. The show ran for nine seasons and was revived in 2013.

After Birds of a Feather, Quirke went on to star in a number of other successful television series, including Emmerdale, Casualty, and Holby City. She has also had a successful career as a writer and director, writing and directing a number of episodes of Emmerdale and Casualty.

Personal Life and Activism