Stephanie Turner

Stephanie Turner was inspired to become an actress by seeing pantomime as a child. She graduated from Manchester University with a drama degree and performed in repertory in Worcester. Television roles followed, including a recurring character in Z Cars (1962), WPC Howarth. She auditioned unsuccessfully for DI Maggie Forbes in The Gentle Touch (1980) but soon won the starring role of Inspector Jean Darblay in Juliet Bravo (1980). The series attracted 17 million viewers but she left after three series because she feared typecasting. Occasional television roles followed but she retired from acting in 2010. In later years she became a partner in an antiques shop and has volunteered for Interact Reading Service, a charity which supports stroke patients. Turner has also been a director of drama students.