Career: Friel made her TV debut in Alan Bleasdale's classic 1991 drama GBH, following it up with appearances in Emmerdale and Medics. She became a household name playing Beth in Brookside. Her first film, The Land Girls, was released in 1998. She turned down a US sitcom in 1999, preferring instead to make Rogue Trader and Mad Cows. Projects since have included award-winning play Closer and movies Sunset Strip, The War Bride, Me Without You, Goal! and its sequel. Her US TV comedy drama Pushing Daisies ran for two seasons. In 2009, she played the lead role in a West End adaptation of Truman Capote's novella Breakfast at Tiffany's. Since then she has starred in the films London Boulevard and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, as well as various high-profile TV roles.