Tina Michelle O'Brien (born 7 August 1983) is an English actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Sarah Platt in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street (1999–2008, 2015–present). She also appeared in the BBC One drama series Waterloo Road (2010–2011).
Career Tina Michelle O'Brien was born on 7 August 1983 in Rusholme, Manchester, England. Her early acting roles included Children's Ward in 1997, The Cops in 1998 and Clocking Off in 2000. At the age of sixteen, she joined Coronation Street in October 1999, taking over the role of Sarah Platt from actress Lynsay King. Sarah's pregnancy with Bethany Platt won O'Brien Best Storyline at the British Soap Awards. She also won Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards and the TV Quick Awards.
Her first role after leaving Coronation Street was in the 2007 pantomime at Manchester Opera House, where she played the title character of Cinderella. Her first television role post-Coronation Street was in the ITV police television drama Blue Murder, filmed whilst four months pregnant, in which she played a character called Amy Kirkland. O'Brien expressed interest in doing televised dramas and theatre work, although after becoming pregnant, she decided to put her career on hold.
In 2010, O'Brien appeared in the sixth series of the BBC school drama Waterloo Road as Bex Fisher, the eldest daughter of the new headteacher Karen Fisher (Amanda Burton). In 2010, she also appeared in The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister, in which she played the character of Miss Browne, a role which required her first on-screen lesbian kiss. Later in 2010, she appeared as a character in the new television drama Accused, written by Jimmy McGovern, as well as starring in the 2010 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Her partner was Jared Murillo, and she was unable to perform in the third week due to illness. O'Brien was eliminated in the fifth week of the competition after failing to impress the viewers with her Argentine Tango. She fell into the bottom two alongside Felicity Kendal, who was saved thanks to the public vote. From 4 December 2010 to 3 January 2011, O'Brien played the title character of Snow White in Manchester Opera House's 2010/2011 pantomime. Between 14 January and 13 February 2011, she participated in the 2011 Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour.
O'Brien co-founded the drama school Drama MOB in Manchester in 2013 with Esther Morgan. One of the school's students, Owen Cooper, found fame in 2025 in the Netflix drama Adolescence.
In October 2014, O'Brien announced that she would be reprising her role of Sarah Platt in Coronation Street in early 2015. The character returned on an episode broadcast on 30 March 2015.
Personal life
O'Brien used to practise gymnastics until she was 10 years old. She gave it up in favour of acting as her family could not afford for her to do both.
O'Brien is the godmother of Emily Walton, who played the original Bethany Platt, her on-screen daughter.
O'Brien was in a relationship with Ryan Thomas from 2003 to 2009. They have one daughter, Scarlett, born 26 October 2008, who is now playing Izzy Charles in the 2023 reboot of Waterloo Road.
O'Brien married Adam Crofts on New Year's Eve 2018. They have one son. In March 2025, it was revealed that the couple had separated.
Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes1997Children's WardClaireRegular role1998The CopsUnderage Girl1 episode1999–2008, 2015–presentCoronation StreetSarah-Louise PlattRegular role2000Clocking OffAdele KolakowskiEpisode: "Yvonne's Story"2002Dick WhittingtonMaid of TongaTelevision film 2004, 2007, 2015, 2022, 2023This MorningHerself6 episodes2004, 2007Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway2 episodes2005Coronation Street: PantomimeSarah-Louise PlattTelevision specialGMTV with LorraineHerself1 episode2009Blue MurderAmy KirklandEpisode: "This Charming Man"2009, 2010Loose WomenHerself3 episodes2009Xposé1 episode2010The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne ListerMiss BrowneTV mini-seriesThe Alan Titchmarsh ShowHerself1 episodeBBC Breakfast2010–2011Waterloo RoadBex FisherRecurring role (season 6)2010AccusedLeanne LangEpisode: "Helen's Story"Strictly Come DancingHerselfContestant; participant2011, 2014CasualtyChloe Trent/Olivia Tindal4 episodes2012Call the MidwifeCathy Powell1 episodeCrime StoriesJustine PeplowThe Corrie YearsHerself3 episodes2014DoctorsNikki FaulksEpisode: "About the Boy"Gail & Me: 40 Years on Coronation StreetHerselfTelevision special2016All Star Mr & Mrs1 episode Film YearTitleRoleNotes2010BlinkBrideShort film
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Result 2000 6th National Television Awards Most Popular Newcomer 2000 TV Quick Awards Best Soap Newcomer 2005 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2005 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2006 The British Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2007 Inside Soap Awards Sexiest Female 2007 Inside Soap Awards Best Couple (shared with Ryan Thomas) 2008 Digital Spy Soap Awards Most Popular Actress 2016 The British Soap Awards Best Female Dramatic Performance 2016 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress 2016 Digital Spy Reader Awards Best Actress 2019 Inside Soap Awards Best Actress 2022 The British Soap Awards Best Leading Performer
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