Gifted RADA-trained actress Maxine Peake is truly becoming one of the most respected actresses working in the UK today. She has consistently selected challenging roles that showcase her talent and won her the admiration of her peers and audiences alike. This fact is highlighted when considering her recent role as the lead in the new series of BBC drama CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
Maxine played Juliet Miller in this major five-part thriller which took an uncompromising and insightful look at our criminal justice system. She led an impressive cast that boasted some of Britain's top acting talent including Matthew Macfadyen (Little Dorrit), Denis Lawson (Bleak House), Steven Mackintosh (England Expects) and Sophie Okonedo (Winnie Mandela, Tsunami: The Aftermath) - plus Peter Moffat once again penned a brilliantly original and bold story that could see this series repeat the success of the original, which scooped this years BAFTA for 'Best Serial Drama'.
Peake first starred in Dinnerladies before winning her role as Veronica in the acclaimed series SHAMELESS. In 2006, she embarked on perhaps her greatest career challenge so far, starring as Myra Hindley in SEE NO EVIL: THE MOORS MURDERS. Peake then went on to appear as Tracy Temple in the TV drama, CONFESSIONS OF A DIARY SECRETARY, which told the story of John Prescott's affair with a co-worker.
Maxine is a prolific theatre actress who has appeared on stage opposite Ben Whishaw in LEAVES OF GLASS (Soho Theatre). Other theatre highlights include THE CHERRY ORCHARD (RNT), MISS JULIE (Theatre Royal, Haymarket) and THE CHILDREN'S HOUR (Manchester Royal Exchange). In 2008 she won rave reviews playing opposite Ken Stott in HANCOCK AND JOAN, a gripping drama in BBC Four's CURSE OF COMEDY series. Her gripping portrayal of this part resulted in Maxine being nominated for 'Best Actress' at this year's BAFTA Television Awards.
She also starred alongside John Simm and Dominic West in C4's epic THE DEVIL'S WHORE, and was met with fantastic reviews - winning a prestigious South Bank Show Award. The series was also nominated for a 'Best Drama Serial' BAFTA at this years awards.
She also appeared in LITTLE DORRIT, the latest BBC adaptation of the famous novel by Charles Dickens.
Perhaps the most exciting of all recent projects was RED RIDING with Paddy Considine and Warren Clarke on Channel 4. Based on David Peace's novel NINETEEN EIGHTY, this TV adaptation told the story of Police corruption which interferes with the search for a killer in Yorkshire. The series once again saw Maxine win a Southbank Show Award alongside her co-stars.
Maxine could be seen in THE STREET alongside Stephen Graham. This gritty series, created by Jim McGovern, achieved audience figures of over 4 million and is destined for award success this year.
She will next be seen starring in THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS ANNE LISTER, a bold and passionate new drama from the BBC written by Jane English and directed by James Kent.
Anne Lister was a Yorkshire landowner, industrialist, traveller and diarist. She was also a lesbian who, despite needing to keep her orientation secret from society at large, defied the conventions of her times by living with her female lover. The drama will provide an astonishing insight into the life of the woman who has been called Britain’s first modern lesbian.
