Amanda Burton

Irene Amanda Burton (born 10 October 1956) is a Northern Irish actress, notable for her television roles as Heather Black in the Channel 4 soap opera "Brookside" (1982–1986), Beth Glover in the ITV drama series "Peak Practice" (1993–1995), Sam Ryan in the BBC crime drama series "Silent Witness" (1996–2004, 2021–2022), Clare Blake in the ITV1 crime drama series "The Commander" (2003–2008), and Karen Fisher in the BBC One school-based drama series "Waterloo Road" (2010–2011).
Early life and education.
Burton was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, the youngest of four sisters. Her father was a primary school headmaster at Ballougry Primary School, which she attended as a child. After later attending Londonderry High School she moved to England at the age of 18, where she spent three years studying drama at the Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre.