Who is BAFTA 2022 winner Joanna Scanlan and how to watch After Love?

Joanna Scanlan just won her first BAFTA award for Best Actress in the film After Love, but what else has she starred in?

Joanna Scanlan
(Image credit: Dave J Hogan / Contributor / Getty Images)

Joanna Scanlan is the actress everyone seems to be talking about since her incredible win at the BAFTAs 2022, but who is the actress and how can you watch her award-winning performance in After Love?

The actress was one of the major winners at the BAFTAs 2022 as, despite stiff competition from the likes of Lady Gaga and Alana Haim, the star took home the coveted best actress award. The actress was also one of the BAFTAs best dressed 2022 as she had a showstopping look on the red carpet and wowed fans with her sleek black gown.

Since her appearance at the BAFTAs, everyone is desperate to know a little bit more about the star. So here is everything you need to know about Joanna Scanlan, including how to watch her fantastic performance in the film After Love.


How to watch Joanna Scanlan in After Love

After Love stars Joanna as an Englishwoman who converted to Islam many years ago when she first married her husband. After his death, she discovers that he had a secret life which has shattering consequences for Joanna's character.

The film is available to watch on BFI Player and  BFI player on Amazon Prime. If you are located in a country that does not have access to BFI player, you can use a VPN to access the film.

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Joanna Scanlan

(Image credit: BFI)

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If you've never installed a VPN before, don't worry, it's quick and easy. Just follow these three steps:

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Joanna Scanlan

(Image credit: BFI)

Who is Joanna Scanlan's husband and do they have kids?

Joanna Scanlan has been married to her husband Neil Bicknell since 2009 and made a sweet shout out to him in her acceptance speech as she said that he was the 'living proof that there is no such thing as after love.' Neil is an accountant and the couple lives in Purley, Croydon. 

The couple does not have any children, but Joanna has spoken about her previous desires for children. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Joanna said, "I'd have loved to become a mother but I suspect I wouldn't have been able to be a very good actor or an artist had I been one."

She added, "There was a point in my own life, when I was in my mid-thirties and saying, 'Oh, I want babies', and both my parents said to me there is more to life than having children. Which you could take in two ways."

"But I think what they meant, their unfulfilled artistic expression perhaps was curtailed by having a family, and perhaps I wouldn't have been able to manage both. My deep suspicion is that I would have prioritized children above having an artistic life."

Joanna Scanlan

(Image credit: David M. Benett / Contributor / Getty Images)

Where is Joanna Scanlan from?

Joanna is Welsh and thanked BAFTA in Welsh during her acceptance speech as she said, 'diolch yn fawr iawn' which translates to 'thank you very much'. The actress was brought up in Wales, Merseyside, and Essex, and later studied history at Cambridge where she joined the famous drama club the Cambridge Footlights and became friends with Tilda Swinton.

The drama club has had numerous famous alumni including Emma Thompson, Sandi Toksvig, Olivia Colman, and Stephen Fry.

What else has Joanna Scanlan starred in? 

Joanna Scanlan

(Image credit: ITV)

Joanna has been in various TV shows and films. She is best known for playing Terri Coverley in The Thick of It, Dr. Diana Dibbs in Doc Martin, and Mother Superior in Dracula.

More recently, the actress has starred as Ma Larkin, a key member of the Larkins cast, which is a remake of the beloved show, The Darling Buds of May. The award-winning actress will also be appearing in the cast of Gentleman Jack Season 2 which is set to be released in April 2022.

Laura Harman

Laura is the Entertainment Editor for woman&home who primarily covers television, film, and celebrity news. Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.