Samantha Kate Winward (born 12 October 1985) is an English actress. She is best known for playing Katie Sugden in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale between 2001 and 2015.
Early life Winward was born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. She attended Turton High School in Bromley Cross, South Turton.
Personal life Winward was engaged to footballer David Dunn. Their daughter, Mia, was born at home in Edgworth, Lancashire on 12 June 2005.TV Sammy's baby joy . Bolton Evening News, first published 15 June 2005. Winward and Dunn split in September of that year.Sammy splits up from baby's father . Bolton Evening News, first published 12 September 2005.
Career At age 15, Winward began appearing as Katie Sugden in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. A year after her debut in July 2001, she was nominated for "Most Popular Newcomer" at the National Television Awards. In November 2014, Winward announced that she would leave Emmerdale after 13 years to pursue other projects. Her character died onscreen in February 2015.
In January 2006, Winward participated in the first series of the reality singing competition Soapstar Superstar, finishing in tenth place. Later that year, she was voted #73 on FHMs list of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World.
On the second season of ITV's crime thriller series Prey, Winward appeared as the heavily pregnant Lucy, whose father (Philip Glenister) goes on the run after finding himself on the wrong side of the law. In their review of the second season's third episode, which aired in December 2015, Cultbox commented, "Glenister and [Winward] make a convincing father and daughter pairing and, despite limited screen time, Winward does make you really feel Lucy's distress and fear".
In 2023, Winward played Sonia Sutcliffe—wife of serial killer Peter Sutcliffe—in the critically acclaimed true crime miniseries, The Long Shadow, which marked her return to television after working as an acting teacher.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes2001–2015EmmerdaleKatie SugdenSeries regular2006Soapstar SuperstarHerselfContestant2015PreyLucy MurdochSeries regular (season 2) 2017Lies We TellCherylFeature filmFearlessSiobhan Murphy2 episodes2019Lead BellyEmmaShort film 2023The Long ShadowSonia Sutcliffe2 episodesFive Thousand StarsYvonneShort film2025BrassicLady in Club1 episode
Accolades Year Work Association Category Result 2002 Emmerdale TV Quick Awards Best Soap Newcomer 8th National Television Awards Most Popular Newcomer 2003 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2004 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2005 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2006 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2007 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards Sexiest Female The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2009 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2010 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2011 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2012 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2013 18th National Television Awards Outstanding Serial Drama Performance The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2014 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2021 Lead Belly Birmingham Film Festival Best Female Actor 2022 Romford Film Festival Best Supporting Actress
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