14 Facts About Alison Newman

Alison Newman was born on 25 January 1968 and is an English actress best known for her role in the hit ITV1 television series Footballers' Wives as Hazel Bailey, and as DCI Samantha Keeble in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Alison Newman was born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, to David and Jenny Newman.

Alison Newman's father died in October 2002, while she was filming the second series of Footballers' Wives.

Alison Newman says that she hated the experience of being at drama school and lost her confidence.

Alison Newman returned to acting when she was almost 30 after being offered a part in a play written by Anthony Neilson, with whom she had previously worked as an assistant director.

In 2002, Newman was cast in the role of ruthless lesbian football agent, and later club chair, Hazel Bailey in Footballers Wives.

Alison Newman was allegedly awarded the role on the strength of a two-episode guest appearance in the series Bad Girls, in which she played Renee Williams who set out to secure revenge on nemesis Top Dog Yvonne Atkins.

The part of Hazel Bailey required Alison Newman to have her naturally blonde hair dyed red.

Alison Newman left the show at the end of series 4, when her character decided to return to sports representation, after becoming romantically involved with a professional tennis player.

Alison Newman played the part of a back-street abortionist in an episode of the popular BBC One drama Call the Midwife, as well as appearing in the short film Father in 2013.

In July 2014 Alison Newman resumed the role of DI Samantha Keeble in EastEnders when her character was put in charge of the Lucy Beale murder case.

Alison Newman returned to the series in January 2022 and departed again in January 2023.

Alison Newman has extensive theatre experience, including Loveplay by Moira Buffini; Luminosity by Nick Stafford; Night of the Soul by David Farr and The Big Lie by Anthony Neilson, all for the RSC, as well as The Censor and The Lying Kind, both by Anthony Neilson, for the Royal Court Theatre, London.

Alison Newman co-created the TV series Harlots with Moira Buffini.