Vanessa Hehir

Vanessa Clare Judith Hehir (born 28 October 1981) is an English actress, known for portraying the roles of Rosie Cartwright in the ITV police procedural drama Heartbeat (2004–2007), Kirsten Lind on the BBC medical soap opera Doctors (2008–2009), Sue Spark in the BBC drama Waterloo Road (2013–2014) and Esther Hargrave on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street (2022–2023).

Life and career Vanessa Clare Judith Hehir was born on 28 October 1981 in Manchester, England. She made her acting debut in 2001, appearing in an episode of the ITV police procedural drama Heartbeat. After having minor roles in series including Holby City and Down to Earth, she returned to Heartbeat three years later when she was cast in the regular role of Rosie Cartwright. She departed the series in 2007, with her character being presumed dead after being kidnapped. In 2010, she married co-star Leon Ockenden. The pair share a daughter together. Between 2008 and 2009, Hehir portrayed the role of Kirsten Lind on the BBC medical soap opera Doctors. She subsequently went on to appear in the show on two further occasions as different characters in 2019 and 2023, respectively. Then between 2010 and 2011, she had a recurring role as Nurse Summers in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.

In 2013, Hehir joined the cast of the BBC school drama Waterloo Road for its ninth series as science teacher Sue Spark. She departed the series during the tenth series, after her character decided to give up teaching following the end of a relationship with Hector Reid, who was portrayed by Hehir's husband, Ockenden. Upon leaving, Hehir portrayed roles in episodes of Unforgotten, Midsomer Murders, Liar, Hollyoaks and The Dumping Ground. She made her final appearance in January 2023 following the conclusion of the storyline. In 2024, Hehir appeared in an episode of Casualty.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 2001 Heartbeat Gail Smethurst Episode: "Gin a Body, Meet a Body" 2001 Doctors Carrie Episode: "Only Skin Deep" 2002 Cupboard Love Anges Short film 2004 Holby City Karen Claymore Episode: "The Buck Stops Here" 2004 Down to Earth Kate Foster Episode: "Can't Buy You Love" 2004 Grease Monkeys Nicola Jay Main role 2004–2007 Heartbeat Rosie Cartwright Main role 2008–2009 Doctors Kirsten Lind Recurring role 2010 West Is West Esther Film 2010 Ti presento un amico Beautician Film 2010–2011 Emmerdale Nurse Summers Recurring role 2012 Hustle Louise Holmes Episode: "Picasso Finger Painting" 2013 Stella Katie 1 episode 2013–2014 Waterloo Road Sue Spark Main role 2015 Supreme Tweeter Gina's Assistant Episode: "#TheRedScare" 2015 Unforgotten Thea 1 episode 2015 Eliana Wife Short film 2016 Slaved Sally Short film 2017 Midsomer Murders Belinda Tressel Episode: "Red in Tooth & Claw" 2017 Liar Coffee Shop Woman Episode: "The White Rabbit" 2018 Hollyoaks Mrs. Hartley Guest role 2019 Secret Santa Charlotte Short film 2019 Doctors Trisha Jennison Episode: "Bad Hair Day" 2020 The Dumping Ground Amanda Episode: "The Replacement" 2020 The Beast Charlotte Short film 2021 The Willows Dawn Short film 2022 The Bulls Vanessa Short film 2022–2023 Coronation Street Esther Hargrave Recurring role 2023 Doctors Brooke Hare Episode: "Lost Time" 2024 Casualty Aisling Hagerty Episode: "Trauma" Sources: