Ruth Sheen
Biography
Ruth Sheen (born 1952) is an English actress. Born in London, Sheen began her career by training at the East 15 Acting School, and has appeared regularly on British television and in British films since 1988. On television, she had recurring roles as Nanny Simmons in Berkeley Square (1998), and as Nurse Ethel Carr in the series Bramwell (1995–1998). She has also appeared as four different characters in six episodes of The Bill between 1989 and 2004. She has also appeared in five Mike Leigh films: in the female lead role of Shirley in High Hopes (1988); as Laughing Woman in Secrets & Lies (1996); as Maureen in All or Nothing (2002), as Lily in Vera Drake (2004) and as Gerri in Another Year (2010). Her role in High Hopes won her the Best Actress award at the 1989 European Film Awards. In 2007, she played the role of Lyn, opposite Ben Whishaw's Steven, in the world premiere of Philip Ridley's stage play, Leaves of Glass at the Soho Theatre, London. She also plays the mother of Jim Sturgess's character, Jamie, in Philip Ridley's feature film, Heartless.
Known For
All Movies (45)
- The Thursday Murder Club2025 · as Aunt Maud
- Touch2024 · as Mrs. Ellis
- The After2024 · as Tabatha
- Sweetly It Turns2023 · as Joy
- Cyrano2021 · as Mother Marthe
- VS.2018 · as Fiona
- A Street Cat Named Bob2016 · as Elsie
- SuperBob2015 · as Pat
- A Royal Night Out2015 · as Jack's Mum
- The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge2015 · as Elizabeth Gadge
- The One and Only Mike Leigh2014 · as Self
- Mr. Turner2014 · as Sarah Danby
- Welcome to the Punch2013 · as Iris Warns
- Another Year2010 · as Gerri
- The Hardest Part2010 · as Bus Lady
- Heartless2010 · as Marion Morgan
- Brave Young Men2009 · as Stephanie Malloy
- Fanny Hill2007 · as Mrs. Jones
- Run Fatboy Run2007 · as Claudine
- A Class Apart2007 · as Ruth - Candy's mum
- Hush Your Mouth2007 · as Mrs Collins
- Imagine Me & You2006 · as Mrs Webster
- The English Harem2005 · as Emily
- Footprints in the Snow2005 · as Lady Victualler
- Vera Drake2004 · as Lily
- Vanity Fair2004 · as Miss Pinkerton
- Cheeky2003 · as Tamara
- All or Nothing2002 · as Maureen
- Plain Jane2002 · as May
- Lorna Doone2001 · as Betty Muxworthy
- Bait2000 · as Cafe Woman
- Don Quixote2000 · as 1st Wench / Young Lady
- Virtual Sexuality1999 · as Jackie Lovett
- Different for Girls1996 · as Nosy neighbour
- Secrets & Lies1996 · as Laughing Woman
- The Young Poisoner's Handbook1995 · as Molly
- Sin Bin1994 · as Viv Hastings
- When Pigs Fly1993 · as Marge
- Ghostwatch1992 · as Emma Stableford (voice)
- A Fatal Inversion1992 · as Forensic Scientist
- Clubland1991 · as Karen
- Night Voice1990 · as Helen Baldwin
- High Hopes1989 · as Shirley
- The Angry Earth1989 · as Nurse Berry
- Little Dorrit1987 · as Society Lady
All TV Shows (31)
- Hijack2023 · as Elaine Atterton
- The Nevers2021 · as Mrs. Beechum
- It's a Sin2021 · as Sandra
- Gangs of London2020 · as Deborah Devereux
- Brassic2019 · as Kath
- The Woman in White2018 · as Mrs Clements
- Strike2017 · as Pat Chauncey
- Prime Suspect 19732017 · as Renee Bentley
- Unforgotten2015 · as Lizzie Wilton
- Inside No. 92014 · as Elizabeth Gadge
- The Mimic2013 · as Mrs Hurdle
- Accused2010 · as Mo's Mum
- Misfits2009 · as Maggie
- Fanny Hill2007 · as Mrs Jones
- A Class Apart2007 · as Ruth
- Vital Signs2006 · as Val
- Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky2005 · as Aunt Winnie
- Lorna Doone2000 · as Betty Muxworthy
- Never Never2000 · as Sandra
- Berkeley Square1998 · as Nanny Simmons
- The History of Tom Jones: A Foundling1997 · as Mrs. Harris
- Midsomer Murders1997 · as Valerie Horton
- Silent Witness1996
- Bramwell1995
- Cracker1993 · as Jean McIlvanney
- Cracker1993 · as Jean McIIvanney
- Peak Practice1993 · as Pauline Wadham
- Casualty1986 · as Barbara George
- ScreenPlay1986 · as Karen
- Screen Two1985 · as Viv Hastings
- The Bill1984







