Debbie Howard appeared on Coronation Street in February 1998 as Weatherfield General A & E based Dr Marius; and returned to the programme between December 2000 and January 2001 as Shirley Stewart, who was in charge of the Upside Park children's home where Wayne Hayes was temporarily placed.
In her other capacity as a writer/director, she set up Big Buddha Films in Sheffield during 2005 to make fiction and documentary films. Driven by a strong sense of story and character, her work focuses on strong female characters and tackles the most challenging and taboo subjects. She also lectures in Acting for Film at Sheffield Hallam University and runs acting for camera workshops and mentors on the BFI Film Academy.
Her other acting credits include roles in Fat Friends, Dalziel and Pascoe, Holby City, Emmerdale, Doctors and Life on Mars.