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Claire Cooper

Claire Cooper is an actor who plays Mary Hardacre in the period family drama The Hardacres.

Biography

Best known to soap viewers as Jacqui McQueen, Cooper now leads a period drama about a working family learning what sudden wealth changes.

The Hardacres season 2 reached BritBox viewers in North America on August 5, 2026, after its British run.

Known for

The Hardacres

Cooper plays family matriarch Mary Hardacre.[1]

Hollyoaks

She became widely known as Jacqui McQueen.[3]

Career highlights

  1. Mary Role

    She plays Mary Hardacre

    Cooper and Liam McMahon lead the series as Mary and Sam Hardacre.[1][5]

  2. Britbox Date

    Season 2 reached BritBox on August 5, 2026

    The North American weekly rollout gave streaming viewers a current entry point after the British broadcast.[6][5]

  3. Period Story

    Mary pushes the family toward education and modernity

    Season 2 places the newly wealthy family in 1895 as electricity and class conflict reshape Hardacre Hall.[1][2]

  4. Soap History

    She spent years playing Jacqui McQueen

    Cooper's long Hollyoaks run built the serial-drama experience she brings to a continuing family lead.[3][2]

  5. Screen Range

    Her later work crossed crime, action and period drama

    Her professional credits include Scott & Bailey, Strike Back, The Peripheral and The Continental.[3]

Good to know

She is a principal member of The Hardacres cast

Current production and series listings place Cooper first among the returning cast.[1][5]