Ruth Sheen

Ruth Sheen is an English actress. From the late 1980s, she has appeared in British television shows, films and plays. A participant in the films of Mike Leigh, she won the European Film Award for Best Actress for her performance as Shirley in Leigh's '' High Hopes'' (1988).

Early life

Sheen was born in Stepney, London. She began her career training at the East 15 Acting School.

Career

Television

Sheen had recurring roles as Nanny Simmons in ''Berkeley Square'' (1998) and as Nurse Ethel Carr in the series '' Bramwell'' (1995–1998). She also appeared as four different characters in six episodes of ''The Bill'' between 1989 and 2004. Also in 2004 she appeared in ''Agatha Christie’s Marple'' “The Murder at the Vicarage” as Mrs Tarrant.

She played Maureen Tacy in the series '' Doc Martin'' (2005) and appeared as Mrs Jones in the 2007 drama mini-series ''Fanny Hill'', based on the erotic novel by John Cleland.

She appeared in ''Agatha Christie’s Poirot'' “Elephants Can Remember” (2013) as Madame Rosentelle and in ''Misfits'' (TV Series) as Maggie.

Sheen was the titular Elizabeth in " The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge", a 2015 episode of ''Inside No. 9''. She has a supporting role as a pub landlord in the comedy series '' Brassic'' (2019–). Also in 2015. she appeared in the TV series '' Unforgotten'' as Lizzie Wilton and in 2016 in ''Midsomer Murders'' “Saints and Sinners” as Valerie Horton. In 2017, she acted in the TV mini-series '' Prime Suspect 1973'' as Renee Bentley.

In 2021, Sheen featured in the last episode of the miniseries '' It's a Sin''.

In 2022, Sheen appeared as secretary of private investigator C.B. Strike starting in season five of the series ''Strike''.

Film

Sheen frequently appears in the films of Mike Leigh. She played the female lead in '' High Hopes'' (1988), a laughing woman in '' Secrets & Lies'' (1996), Maureen in '' All or Nothing'' (2002), Lily in ''Vera Drake'' (2004), Gerri in ''Another Year'' (2010), and Sarah Danby in '' Mr. Turner'' (2014).

''High Hopes'' was her breakthrough role. After ''Another Year'' she commented on Leigh's preference for improvisation: "It's a unique way of working... He's quite a hard taskmaster."

She played the mother of the character Jamie in Philip Ridley's 2009 feature film '' Heartless'', and appeared in ''Welcome to the Punch'' (2013). She played Elsie in the 2016 film adaptation of '' A Street Cat Named Bob''.

Theatre

Sheen performed in Mike Leigh's play ''It's a Great Big Shame'' at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1993. She has appeared in ''Stoning Mary'' at the Royal Court Theatre, ''Market Boy'' at the Royal National Theatre and ''An Oak Tree'' at the Soho Theatre, all in London. In 2007, she played Lyn, opposite Ben Whishaw's Steven, in the world premiere of Philip Ridley's stage play '' Leaves of Glass'' at the Soho Theatre.

Filmography

Awards

In 1989, Sheen won the European Film Award for Best Actress for the role of Shirley in ''High Hopes''. She was nominated for British actress of the year by the London Film Critics' Circle for ''Another Year''.

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sheen, Ruth
Living people
Actresses from London
Alumni of East 15 Acting School
European Film Award for Best Actress winners
English television actresses
English film actresses
20th-century English actresses
21st-century English actresses
English stage actresses
1950 births
Actors from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets
People from Stepney