Joanne Froggatt: Liar star’s real-life split
She’s in the thriller that’s gripping millions. But Liar star Joanne Froggatt has had her own off-screen drama…
All eyes are on Joanne Froggatt right now, who has reprised her role as Laura Nielson in ITV’s hit drama Liar. Millions tuned into the first series, which saw teacher Laura turn the tables on evil surgeon Andrew Earlham, who drugged and raped her. And, at the end of the first series, which aired in 2017, it appeared that someone had taken revenge on the twisted medic, who was revealed to have raped 17 women, as he was pictured lying in the marshes, with his throat cut.
Joanne, 39, promises that this second series will be just as gripping as the cliffhanger ending that kept viewers guessing. ‘It’s going to surprise people, make them jump and produce all sorts of emotions. It moves at such a pace,’ she said.
And it seems that Joanne’s off-screen life has not been without its drama. Recently the star, who played head housemaid Anna Bates in Downton Abbey, quietly revealed that she has separated from her husband, IT consultant James Cannon, after eight years of marriage. ‘ We have actually been apart for some time,’ she revealed, adding that she was ‘ looking to the future,’ and intending to ‘embrace this year and see what happens.’
But she also confessed, of turning 40, ‘I thought I’d win an Oscar, be married with three kids and living in Hollywood... and then you go through the reality of life and nothing works out the way you expect…’
Joanne said in a 2013 interview that her character Anna’s love for her husband Mr Bates ‘would last forever’. Sadly, the same was not to be for her own marriage.
In fact, the spilt came as a shock to showbiz watchers
– outwardly, their relationship seemed rock solid. Indeed, back in 2015, she spoke of how happy she was not to be with someone in the same industry.
Though she’s now a single lady, Joanne confirmed that the former couple still plan to work alongside each other.
And the 39-year-old, who has no children, revealed that she hasn’t ruled out becoming a mum in the future, saying: ‘If it happens, it happens. And if it doesn’t, I hope I’ll still feel I can live a happy and fulfilled life.’
Certainly, the return of Liar must be bringing positive things – and perhaps welcome distraction. As Joanne said: ‘A lot of people came up to me in the street when it was shown in the UK. Which is the best reaction you can hope for.’
‘If I don’t become a mum, I hope I can still live a happy and fulfilled life’