Biography
Sally Anne Wainwright OBE (born 1963) is an English television writer, producer, and director. She is known for her dramas, which are often set in West Yorkshire, where she originates from, and feature "strong female characters". Wainwright has been praised for the quality of her dialogue. Wainwright began her career as a scriptwriter on the long-running radio serial drama The Archers, and worked on the television soap operas Emmerdale and Coronation Street in the 1990s. Her first original drama, At Home with the Braithwaites, aired between 2000 and 2003. After two self-described "flops" in the mid-2000s, Wainwright found success with Unforgiven (2009), for which she won the Royal Television Society's Writer of the Year Award. Her work since includes Scott & Bailey (2011–2016), Last Tango in Halifax (2012–2020), Happy Valley (2014–2023), and Gentleman Jack (2019–2022). Last Tango in Halifax won the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2013, and Happy Valley won the same award in both 2015 and 2017.
Wrote 26
2020s
- 2025
- 2024
- 2022
Son Nefesime Kadar
Original Story
- 2021
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
The Detail
Original Series Creator
- 2016
To Walk Invisible
Writer
- 2014
- 2013
The Last Witch
Writer
- 2012
Last Tango in Halifax
Writer
- 2011
2000s
- 2009
Unforgiven
Writer
- 2007
Bonkers
Writer
Dead Clever: The Life and Crimes of Julie Bottomley
Writer
- 2006
The Amazing Mrs Pritchard
Writer
Jane Hall
Writer
- 2005
The Taming of the Shrew
Writer
ShakespeaRe-Told
Writer
- 2003
Canterbury Tales
Writer
- 2002
Sparkhouse
Adaptation, Writer
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
- 1998
Playing the Field
Writer
1980s
- 1989
1970s
- 1972
1960s
- 1960
Produced 12
2020s
- 2025
- 2024
- 2021
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
The Detail
Executive Producer
- 2016
To Walk Invisible
Executive Producer
- 2014
- 2012
Last Tango in Halifax
Executive Producer
- 2011
2000s
- 2009
Unforgiven
Executive Producer
- 2006
The Amazing Mrs Pritchard
Producer
- 2002
Sparkhouse
Co-Producer
Created 12
2020s
- 2025
- 2024
2010s
- 2019
- 2014
- 2012
Last Tango in Halifax
Creator
- 2011
2000s
- 2009
Unforgiven
Creator
- 2007
Bonkers
Creator
- 2006
The Amazing Mrs Pritchard
Creator
Jane Hall
Creator
- 2002
Sparkhouse
Creator
- 2000
Directed 3
2020s
- 2025
2010s
- 2019
- 2016
To Walk Invisible
Director
Acted in 1
Other crew 1
2020s
- 2021
Appearances3
2020s
- 2023
imagine… Russell T Davies: The Doctor and Me
Self
- 2022
