She became a popular leading lady, one of her best-known roles being April Smith in the film School for Scoundrels (1960), based on the "one-upmanship" books by Stephen Potter, in which Ian Carmichael and Terry-Thomas vie for her attention.

[3] Some scenes for School for Scoundrels were shot at a private members club before its current incarnation as a hotel.

The hotel hosted a screening in 2016 with Janette Scott attending and answering questions about filming School for Scoundrels.

She proved adept in a wide variety of genres, including comedy, romantic drama, sci-fi thriller, and period adventure.

She is best known to American audiences for her role as the parson's wife in the film The Devil's Disciple (1959), starring Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas and Laurence Olivier.