Sally Ann Matthews is best known for playing Jenny Bradley, later Jenny Connor, in Coronation Street. But she also appeared in Emmerdale as Sandra Briggs, a farmer caught up in a ruthless dispute with the King family.
Her time in the village was brief compared with her decades in Weatherfield. It remains an interesting chapter of her career, especially for viewers revisiting episodes from 2005 and wondering where they have seen Sandra Briggs before. More recently, Sally Ann Matthews left Coronation Street in 2025 and took a role in a stage musical in 2026.
Who Did Sally Ann Matthews Play in Emmerdale?
Sally Ann Matthews played Sandra Briggs, who appeared in Emmerdale from August 2005 to February 2006. Sandra Briggs lived with her husband, Craig Briggs, on a farm that became valuable to the King family.
The conflict began when Tom King wanted the couple’s land for a development. Craig Briggs refused to sell. Tom King then pressured his son, Max King, a vet, to interfere with the Briggs family’s livestock. When the calves became ill, suspicion initially fell on Paddy Kirk.
For Sandra Briggs, the dispute was not simply about a property deal. The loss of the animals threatened the family’s livelihood, while the pressure surrounding the land put a strain on her marriage. She later worked at Eric Pollard’s factory to bring in money.
The storyline placed Sandra Briggs among several familiar village characters, but she did not remain in the programme for long. Her final appearance came in February 2006.
There is one detail worth clarifying for viewers reading about the story today. The Tom King involved in the Briggs family land dispute was the older character played by Ken Farrington. He is not the younger Tom King played by James Chase in recent Emmerdale episodes.
Why Is She Better Known for Coronation Street?
Sally Ann Matthews first appeared in Coronation Street in January 1986 as Jenny Bradley. At the time, Jenny Bradley was a teenager working as a paper girl at The Kabin. She was also the daughter of Alan Bradley, whose relationship with Rita Tanner became one of the soap’s memorable older stories.
After the death of Jenny Bradley’s mother, Rita Tanner became an important figure in her life. Their bond was complicated, particularly after Alan Bradley’s behaviour caused serious harm. That history gave Jenny Bradley connections to established residents long before Sally Ann Matthews returned to the programme as an adult.
She initially left in 1991, made a brief return in 1993 and came back again in 2015. The later return introduced the character to viewers who had never seen her original episodes. Jenny Bradley eventually became Jenny Connor following her marriage to Johnny Connor.
Her stories expanded well beyond her childhood connection to Rita Tanner. Jenny Connor experienced grief, difficult relationships and a prominent period running the Rovers Return. Sally Ann Matthews could play her as sharp and funny in one scene, then vulnerable in the next. That range helped the character remain recognisable even as her circumstances changed.
When Did Sally Ann Matthews Leave Coronation Street?
Sally Ann Matthews’s most recent run as Jenny Connor ended in October 2025. Because she had played the character at different points since 1986, some descriptions say she was part of Coronation Street for nearly 40 years. That refers to the span between her first and latest appearances, not an uninterrupted period on screen.
Her departure also did not mean Jenny Connor was killed off. The character’s exit left open the possibility of another appearance, but a possible return should not be confused with a confirmed booking. As of October 2026, there has been no announced date for Sally Ann Matthews to return to Coronation Street.
The departure prompted renewed interest in her earlier work. For Emmerdale viewers, that includes her short run as Sandra Briggs, a role that can be easy to miss when looking at her much longer history as Jenny Connor.
What Did She Do After Coronation Street?
In January 2026, Sally Ann Matthews took over the role of Patricia in Here & Now, a stage musical built around the songs of Steps. The production toured the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its official cast information lists her as Patricia.
The stage role was a change of pace after years of regular soap filming, but theatre was not new territory for her. Her credits include productions of Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra and Mum’s the Word. She has worked across touring shows as well as television.
It is important to keep the timing clear: joining the musical in January 2026 does not mean she is still performing in that production indefinitely. Anyone looking for a current appearance should check the production’s latest cast and performance information rather than rely on its original announcement.
What Other Programmes Has She Appeared In?
Alongside the two ITV soaps, Sally Ann Matthews has credits in Waterloo Road, Heartbeat, Doctors, Being Human and My Mad Fat Diary. Her film work includes Brassed Off and Song for Marion.
Those roles show why it is more accurate to describe her as an actor with a broad television and stage career than solely as a former soap star. Still, Jenny Connor remains the part most viewers associate with her, while Sandra Briggs gives Emmerdale fans a connection of their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Sally Ann Matthews in Emmerdale?
Yes. She played Sandra Briggs from 2005 to 2006. The character and her husband, Craig Briggs, became involved in a dispute with the King family over their farmland.
Is Sandra Briggs the same character as Jenny Connor?
No. Sandra Briggs is Sally Ann Matthews’s Emmerdale character. Jenny Connor, originally Jenny Bradley, is the character she played in Coronation Street.
Is Sally Ann Matthews still in Coronation Street?
No. Her latest run as Jenny Connor ended in October 2025. No return date had been announced as of October 2026.
Has Sally Ann Matthews returned to Emmerdale?
No return as Sandra Briggs has been announced. Her Emmerdale appearances remain part of the programme’s 2005 and 2006 storylines.
