Sarah Preston is an English actress, writer and producer. She is known for her television roles as Karen Newburn in the BBC medical drama Holby City, Amanda Parry in EastEnders, and the recurring Make-up Woman in the BBC comedy Extras. She has also appeared in In Deep, Steel River Blues, Vera, The Last Detective, Where the Heart Is and Doctors. Preston trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating with a diploma in acting in 1994, and is the founder of the North East-based television and film production company Bamboo Media Productions.
Early life and training Preston grew up in the North East of England and began acting on stage at the age of five. Her early experience included productions with Stockton Youth Theatre, where she appeared in Cabaret, Jesus Christ Superstar and Sweet Charity alongside Mark Benton and Marcus Bentley.
She later moved to London to train for three years at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating with a diploma in acting. While at RADA, Preston trained in stage fighting and received the John Barton Prize.
Acting career One of Preston's early film roles was as Meg in The House of Angelo, in which she also worked as a fight double.
Her first major television role was as Karen Newburn, a ward sister in the BBC medical drama Holby City. Preston appeared as a series regular during the programme's first two series, with storylines including Karen's relationship with her former husband Nick Jordan, played by Michael French.
Her other television roles include appearances in EastEnders, In Deep, Steel River Blues and Extras, as well as guest roles in Vera, The Last Detective, Where the Heart Is and Doctors.
Writing and production Preston founded Bamboo Media Productions, a North East-based television and film production company focused on developing high-end television and film projects. The company has participated in Creative UK's North East Create Growth Programme.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1995 The Glass Virgin Agnes Fairbairn Series 1, episodes 2 & 3 Pie in the Sky Receptionist Episode: "Lemon Twist" Men of the World Laura Episode: "Stolen Kiss" 1997 The House of Angelo Meg Film 1999 Tilly Trotter Mary Bentwood Series 1, episodes 1 & 2 1999–2000 Holby City Karen Newburn 24 episodes 2000 Badger Amanda Episode: "The Last Flight" Doctors Celia Cobb Episode: "Looking After" 2001 Where the Heart Is Julia Joyce Episode: "The Ties That Bind" Murder in Mind Sandra Episode: "Vigilante" 2002 Out Done Sarah Short film 2003 In Deep Katy Gannon Episodes: "Men & Boys" Parts 1 & 2 2004 Steel River Blues Belinda Moss 2 episodes Doctors Karen Rees Episode: "Passing By" 2005 Eva Rachel Short film EastEnders Amanda Parry 8 episodes 2006 Extras Make-up Woman 3 episodes, series 2 2007 The Last Detective Kitty Sullivan Episode: "The Dead Peasants Society" 2011 Vera Jeannie Long Episode: "Telling Tales" Doctors Beth Wilde Episode: "Defying Gravity" 2013 Doctors Yvonne Turnham Episode: "Falling" 2019 Out of Water Carol Short film 2024 Miss or Misses Paul's Mother Film 2025 Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre Janet Short film; winner, Best Comedy, Ealing Film Festival 2025
Selected stage credits Year Production Role Venue / Company 1991 Teachers Gail The Theatre Upstairs, Billingham 1993 Camille Sophie de Lyonne Vanbrugh Theatre, London 1994 Phaedra Aricia Studio Theatre, London It's a Girl Mary Gielgud Theatre, London Trojan Women Helen of Troy Studio Theatre, London Our Country's Good Mary Brenham / Meg Long Vanbrugh Theatre 2016 Silas Marner Nancy Lammeter The Royalty Theatre, Billingham 2018 Gone Silent The Mother Finborough Theatre 2019 A Place of Safety Kate Todd Hint of Lime Productions, Omnibus Theatre
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