Sue Johnston Stars in Award-Winning BBC Dramas Available to Stream Now

Sue Johnston appears in two highly-rated BBC productions currently available on iPlayer: the period drama Little Dorrit, which holds a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and the new sitcom Ann Droid, described as a charming exploration of aging and social attitudes. Johnston's dual presence across both programmes showcases her range as a performer, from supporting roles in classic adaptations to lead comedy work in contemporary narratives.

Little Dorrit: A Period Drama with Universal Acclaim

Little Dorrit, based on Charles Dickens's 19th-century novel, was originally broadcast in 2008 and features an ensemble cast including early career performances by Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen. The 14-episode series centres on Amy Dorrit, a member of a family whose existence revolves around London's Marshalsea prison for debtors, and her encounters with Arthur Clennam upon his return to the city. Johnston takes on the role of Affery Flintwinch alongside Jason Watkins as Mr Plornish, Tom Courtenay as William Dorrit, and Andy Serkis in a dual role.

The production earned consistent critical recognition upon release. The Daily Telegraph called it "one of the best dramas of the year," while Culture Vulture described it as "absorbing and entertaining." The Philadelphia Daily News noted the series delivers "a satisfyingly large payoff," and PopMatters praised screenwriter Andrew Davies's adaptation as capturing both the letter and spirit of Dickens with particular enthusiasm from the entire cast and crew.

Ann Droid: Comedy with Social Commentary

Johnston's current television work, Ann Droid, presents a departure in tone and theme. The sitcom features Diane Morgan as Linda, a second-hand robot programmed to provide companionship and support for Sue, an older woman navigating life after her husband's death. Described by The Irish Times as "charming" and "bobs along on a cloud of gentle whimsy," the series uses science-fiction framing to examine societal attitudes toward aging and the tendency to dismiss older people as expendable.

The programme surrounds Johnston's character with a supporting cast including Paul Ready as her son Michael, Andrea Valls as his wife Renée, Margot Leicester as the Hyacinth Bucket-esque Phyllis, and Kathryn Hunter as Eileen, a local charity shop owner. Rather than delivering saccharine sentiment about human-robot friendship, the show employs Morgan's quirky comedy style to generate what critics identified as genuine humour while maintaining warmth throughout.