Since 1987, Barber has appeared frequently in plays, films and television series. She also starred in the LWT drama series "Night and Day" as Fiona Brake. In 2006 she joined the cast of ITV soap, "Emmerdale", playing the character of DCI Grace Barraclough, investigating the death of Tom King on Christmas Day. She exited the soap in September 2007, when her character was killed. In 2009, she appeared as hospital administrator Jean McAteer in "The Royal", another ITV drama series set in Yorkshire. In the same year she and Brandon both appeared in an episode of the BBC series "New Tricks", entitled "The Truth Is Out There".