What’s their secret? I have a theory. It’s not about grand romantic gestures or exotic holidays. No, I suspect it’s about keeping things real. Alun has said in interviews that Sue is “the most sensible person” he knows, and that she keeps him grounded. When you’re an actor, your whole life is pretend. You play kings, villains, detectives, and mad scientists. But when you come home, you need someone who sees you for who you really are: the guy who forgets to take out the trash and hogs the remote.
Alun Armstrong - IMDb
And let’s talk about their kids. They have three children: Joe, Dan, and Lizzy. Guess what? Two of them—Joe and Dan—are actors too! The apple doesn’t fall far from the theatrical tree. But Sue? She didn’t push them into the spotlight. She just let them discover it on their own, while probably muttering, “Great, another actor in the family. Who’s going to do the washing up?” It’s a beautiful chaos, and she’s the calm eye of that storm.
What Does Sue Do Now?
Here’s the thing about Sue: she values her privacy like it’s a rare diamond. You won’t find her on red carpets, dishing gossip to reporters. She’s not on Instagram, posting #blessed photos of her and Alun sipping cocktails in the Maldives. She’s the kind of woman who reads a good book, tends her garden, and probably has a sharp, dry wit that surprises everyone at dinner parties. “Oh, you’re an actor too? How original.”
And Alun adores her for it. In a 2018 interview, he called her his “anchor.” He said, “Without Sue, I’d be a mess. I’d probably be living in a cardboard box, reciting Macbeth to pigeons.” It’s the kind of love that doesn’t need a spotlight. It’s steady, quiet, and utterly dependable—like a good cup of tea or a properly made bed.
That Summer of White Roses (1989)
So, the next time you watch Alun Armstrong in a show, spare a thought for Sue. She’s the one who ironed his costume, packed his lunch, and reminded him to be home for dinner. She’s the one who probably says, “You were brilliant, love, but you’ve got a bit of spinach in your teeth” after every major performance. Because that’s real love: it’s not just applause and accolades. It’s spinach in the teeth, and someone who loves you enough to tell you.
And here’s the uplifting bit: Sue Armstrong is proof that you don’t need a famous name or a glamorous job to be a star. You just need to be the person who makes someone else’s light shine brighter. She’s the quiet hero, the backstage boss, the one who deserves a standing ovation for keeping it all together—with love, laughter, and probably a lot of patience. So here’s to Sue: the woman who married an actor, raised a family, and never let the drama get out of hand. She’s a legend in her own right, even if she’d never admit it. And that’s the kind of love story worth celebrating.
Now go call your own “Sue” and tell them thanks. And maybe iron their socks while you’re at it.
