Emmerdale’s Sandra Flaherty has been causing trouble in the village since her return, and is determined to swindle her daughter Liv out of her inheritance.
In reality, it’s far from actress Joanne’s first rodeo on Emmerdale – and though she spoke out about the “difficulty” of slipping back into the part, she’s actually appeared as various characters in the Dales.
READ MORE: Emmerdale’s Sandra Flaherty star reflects on ‘difficulty’ of returning to show
She first appeared in the soap back in 2003 as DS Karen Barnborough, before appearing as Susan Davies , a midwife, and finally as Sandra in 2016.
Joanne has also done two stints in rival soap Coronation Street as a sonographer and then as Marsha Clifton, who was related to evil Nathan’s grooming ring which entrapped Bethany Platt.
In her personal life, though, she has plenty of behind-the-scenes connections to her Emmerdale co-stars, and married Paddy Dingle actor Dominic Brunt 2003.
Sweet co-star marriage
(Image: ITV)
Joanne and Dominic initially met at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, which they both attended as youngsters.
Dominic had originally attended Accrington Moorhead Sports College before moving onto the theatre venue which landed them both a variety of roles over the years.
Joanne and Dominic tied the knot in 2003 and share two children together – sons Danny and Mickey.
Heart op horror
(Image: Can Nguyen/REX/Shutterstock)
Sadly, Dominic and Joanne’s life together hasn’t quite been drama free, and their son Danny was diagnosed with a potentially life threatening condition aged just eight months old.
He was forced to undergo major heart surgery as a tot, with Dominic explaining on This Morning: “He had to go through major heart surgery at eight months old.
“He’s absolutely fine now. At the time it’s the most horrific thing to have to go through as a parent and obviously as a child, but he’s football-mad now, he’s completely fine.
“He has check-ups once a year for the rest of his life, but thankfully Leeds Royal Infirmary were great and the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund have been great.”
Incredible home
(Image: Joanne Mitchell Instagram)
Dominic and Joanne share an incredible rustic home together, featuring exposed stone grey walls, pinewood countertops and plenty of bits and bobs to keep them entertained.
From vintage arcade machines to an incredible collection of books, DVDs and nick-nacks, the family home has been featured on Dominic’s social media on several occasions.
He shared a sweet Christmas snap alongside Joanne and the kids, with a huge fir tree decorated with baubles and lights dominating the scene, while traditional candle lamps and a checked blanket gave the room a countryside feel.
Company co-stars
(Image: Can Nguyen/REX/Shutterstock)
Along with starring together in Emmerdale, Dominic and Joanne have their own company – Mitchell-Brunt Films.
An avid horror buff, Dominic and his co-star pal Mark Charnock [Marlon Dingle] often run horror conventions together, with Dominic even directing his own film.
His werewolf flick Wolf Manor is directed by the man himself, and produced by his wife Joanne.
She also starred as Jen in the company’s 2021 flick Evie, which also starred their son Danny-Lee as young Tony.
Their Emmerdale pal Sally Dexter, best known for her role as Faith Dingle in the Dales, has also popped up in a movie or two, starring as Margaret in the 2017 film Attack of the Adult Babies.
And yes, that film is exactly as bizarre as it sounds.
On-set tiffs
(Image: Joanne Mitchell/Twitter)
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Speaking about working alongside his wife, Dominic spilled to Flicks And The City at a horror event: “Because we weren’t turning up with a stranger doing these things, I didn’t feel silly.
“I felt trusted to go that extra mile – there were plenty of tears and emotions, and it was all right because it was Jo, and we’re married, and it meant that in our spare time on the run-up to it we could rehearse it and rehearse it and we didn’t feel silly.”
And it wasn’t always an easy road, as Dominic often had to tell his wife off.
Joanne gushed: “There were a few little moments we had, and Dominic said, ‘Now there will be times, Jo, where I have to tell you what to do, and you might not like it!’
“But no it was fine, it was really easy. At the end of the day, he’s the director so I have to trust what he said.”
Dominic chimed in: “I have to say, all of that ended after two weeks!” as his wife agreed: “Yeah back to the normal routine of me telling him what to do!”
Emmerdale airs weeknights from 7:30pm on ITV.
READ MORE:
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
