Melissa Johns is an actor and writer. She works in both TV and theatre and is most known for her role as Hannah Taylor in Mike Bartlett’s BBC One drama LIFE, as well as Miss Scott in the latest 4 series of ITV’s/Masterpiece PBS – drama, Grantchester.
She is also known for playing Imogen Pascoe in ITV’s Coronation Street.
Last year, Johns made her West End debut in the Donmar Warehouse’s-production of Henry V alongside Kit Harrington.
Last year, Johns’ one woman show SNATCHED (written and performed by herself) finished its first sell out U.K. tour where it received 5 start reviews and national press. SNATCHED is now being developed for TV.
Johns was announced in the line up for 2021’s Celebrity MasterChef. She advocated for a spotlight on support for disabled talent on screen and had a support worker with her on the show.
Melissa featured in the Shaw Trust’s Power List – 100 Most Influential Disabled People in the UK and was named JCI’s Ten Outstanding Young Pearson’s of the U.K. for her work in female empowerment, disability/access and young people.
Johns then went on to be name as one of JCI’s Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World, receiving the same award that Elvis Presley received 50 years ago.
Melissa is co-founder, director and co-creative lead of BAFTA award winning disabled led organisation - TripleC DANC (Disabled Actors Networking Community) with Coronation Street actor Cherylee Houston. She is also an ambassador for REACH, Models of Diversity and Invisiyouth charity.
@melissa_johns_1 on instagram.
Why is REACH such an important part of my life/career? Because it’s a place for those of us with limb differences to celebrate our uniqueness and lived experience as a community, a chance to share stories and champion new ways of carrying out tasks. And, and I feel like this one is at times, the most important, a place where parents of children with a limb difference can come together to support and celebrate each other. A place that in an instant can wipe away that initial fear that many may have faced at a scan. That can replace that “pit in the stomach” feeling of the unknown when hearing the words “so, there’s something a little different with your baby” and a space to be reminded that your child’s life will be rich, will be full and will be everything it’s meant to be.