Sharon D. Clarke
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Sharon Delores Clarke (born 12 August 1966) is an English actress and singer. She is a three-time Olivier award winner, and is best known to television audiences for her role as
Lola Griffin Lola Griffin (also Williams) is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Sharon D. Clarke. She first appeared in the series seven episode "Patience", broadcast on 7 June 2005. Lola is characterised as a ...
in the
medical drama A medical drama is a television show or film in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment. Most recent medical drama (film and television), dramatic programming go beyond the events pertaining to the chara ...
''
Holby City ''Holby City'' (stylised on-screen as HOLBY CIY) is a British medical drama television series that aired weekly on BBC One. It was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama ''Casualty'', and pr ...
'', and as Grace O'Brien in ''
Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...
''. Clarke has also played lead roles in many West End musicals, and originated the roles of the Killer Queen in '' We Will Rock You'' and Oda Mae Brown in '' Ghost the Musical''. Throughout her stage career, Clarke has been nominated for several
Laurence Olivier Award The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply the Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre in London at an annual ceremony in the capital. The awards were originally known as ...
s. She won the 2014 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in
James Baldwin James Arthur Baldwin (August 2, 1924 – December 1, 1987) was an American writer. He garnered acclaim across various media, including essays, novels, plays, and poems. His first novel, '' Go Tell It on the Mountain'', was published in 1953; de ...
's ''
The Amen Corner ''The Amen Corner'' is a three-act play by James Baldwin. It was Baldwin's first work for the stage following the success of his novel '' Go Tell It on the Mountain''. The drama was first published in 1954, and inspired a short-lived 1983 Broadwa ...
''. She won her second Olivier for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Caroline Thibodeaux in the 2018 West End production of '' Caroline, or Change'', a role she reprised on Broadway in 2021. In October 2020, she won her third Olivier for her role in the revival of '' Death of a Salesman'' at London's
Young Vic The Young Vic Theatre is a performing arts venue located on The Cut, near the South Bank, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The Young Vic was established by Frank Dunlop in 1970. Kwame Kwei-Armah has been Artistic Director since February 201 ...
.


Career


Television

Clarke is known for her role in the BBC medical drama ''
Holby City ''Holby City'' (stylised on-screen as HOLBY CIY) is a British medical drama television series that aired weekly on BBC One. It was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama ''Casualty'', and pr ...
'', in which she played
Lola Griffin Lola Griffin (also Williams) is a fictional character from the BBC medical drama ''Holby City'', played by actress Sharon D. Clarke. She first appeared in the series seven episode "Patience", broadcast on 7 June 2005. Lola is characterised as a ...
, a doctor with ancestors from Ghana. She left the programme in 2008. Clarke reprised the role for one episode in 2019. Other television roles include the character of Gran'Ma Flossie in the CBBC show '' The Crust''. In 2008, Clarke sat alongside
Russell Watson Russell Watson is an English tenor who has released singles and albums of both operatic-style and pop songs. He began singing as a child, and became known after performing at a working men's club. He came to attention in 1999 when he sang "God ...
as a judge on the BBC talent show '' Last Choir Standing''. Clarke's other TV credits include: '' Waking the Dead'', '' Soldier Soldier'', ''Broken Glass'', '' Between the Lines'', '' Children's Ward'', ''Stop, Look & Listen – Mary Seacole'', ''Past Caring'', '' The Singing Detective'', ''
EastEnders ''EastEnders'' is a Television in the United Kingdom, British soap opera created by Julia Smith (producer), Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the Ea ...
'', '' Boo!'' and ''
Informer An informant (also called an informer or, as a slang term, a “snitch”) is a person who provides privileged information about a person or organization to an agency. The term is usually used within the law-enforcement world, where informan ...
''. Clarke has also appeared as a guest on '' Ready Steady Cook'', hosted by Ainsley Harriott, representing ''Holby City'' in 2008, winning with chef
Garrey Dawson Garrey Dawson is a British chef who has appeared on television in the BBC programme '' Ready Steady Cook''. Career Dawson started his career at Pennyhill Park Hotel in Bagshot, Surrey. Since then he has worked at Cliveden Hotel & Spa and at He ...
. She has been a guest on '' The Paul O'Grady Show'' and sang the "O'Grady, O'Grady" song to celebrate the 500th show. She has also made appearances on '' Children in Need'' for the BBC, performing as Killer Queen with the cast of '' We Will Rock You'' and also singing with her ''Holby City'' co-stars. On 10 August 2010, Clarke appeared in an episode of '' The Bill'', "Death Knock" as brothel owner Denise Jones. On 24 January 2011, she appeared in ''EastEnders'', as Connor Stanley's mother Kendra. In May 2011, Clarke starred in the BBC drama ''
The Shadow Line ''The Shadow-Line'' is a short novel based at sea by Joseph Conrad; it is one of his later works, being written from February to December 1915. It was first published in 1916 as a serial in New York's ''Metropolitan Magazine'' (September—Oct ...
'' as Mrs. Dixon, appearing in episodes 2 and 3. Clarke voices the character of Treetog in the CBeebies series '' Tree Fu Tom''. In October 2017, the BBC announced that Clarke had been cast as Grace O'Brien in the eleventh series of ''
Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...
'', appearing in the episodes "
The Woman Who Fell To Earth "The Woman Who Fell to Earth" is the first episode of the eleventh series of the British science fiction television programme ''Doctor Who''. It was written by new head writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall, directed by Jamie Childs, and ...
", "
Arachnids in the UK "Arachnids in the UK" is the fourth episode of the eleventh series of the British science fiction television programme ''Doctor Who''. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall, directed by Sallie Aprahamian, and first b ...
" and " It Takes You Away". She later made brief cameo appearances in the twelfth series episode " Can You Hear Me?", and in the 2021 festive special " Revolution of the Daleks". In December 2017, Clarke made a guest appearance on '' Thunderbirds Are Go'', providing the voice for Fire Chief Cass McCready in the Season 2 episode Inferno, which wasn't broadcast on ITV but was still shown on Amazon Video.


Theatre

Clarke's first professional role was in Southside, directed by Jude Kelly, at
Battersea Arts Centre The Battersea Arts Centre ("BAC") is a performance space specialising in theatre productions. Located near Clapham Junction railway station in Battersea, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, it was formerly Battersea Town Hall. It is a Grade ...
in 1984. This role allowed Clarke to be issued her Actor's Equity Card. She then went on to play Dolores Hope in the 1988 Talawa Theatre Company production of O Babylon! The Musical, the story of the Trench Town community's struggle for survival against the encroachment of Babylon, in the form of a new luxury hotel. Clarke has also appeared in West End theatre. Her roles include General Cartwright in '' Guys and Dolls'' (1996), Joanne Jefferson in ''
Rent Rent may refer to: Economics *Renting, an agreement where a payment is made for the temporary use of a good, service or property *Economic rent, any payment in excess of the cost of production *Rent-seeking, attempting to increase one's share of e ...
'' at the
Shaftesbury Theatre The Shaftesbury Theatre is a West End theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue, in the London Borough of Camden. Opened in 1911 as the New Prince's Theatre, it was the last theatre to be built in Shaftesbury Avenue. History The theatre was d ...
(1998), and Miss Sherman in '' Fame'' (1999). She played Rafiki in '' The Lion King'' from 2000 to 2002 at the Lyceum Theatre and in 2004 played the character of Matron Mama Morton in '' Chicago''. In 2000, Clarke appeared in Flymonkey's production of '' The Wiz''. In that production, she played the role of Glinda at the Hackney Empire. She originated the role of Killer Queen in the Ben Elton/ Queen jukebox musical ''We Will Rock You'' at the Dominion Theatre, alongside Alexander Hanson as Commander Khashoggi, for which she was nominated for the
Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical The Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical was an annual award presented by the Society of London Theatre in recognition of achievements in commercial London theatre. The awards were established as the Socie ...
. In 2008, Clarke made her pantomime début in the Hackney Empire's '' Mother Goose''. She starred in '' Once on This Island'' in Birmingham at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. She was also set to star in '' The Vagina Monologues'' and ''Once on This Island'' at the Hackney Empire in 2009. She finished starring in the massively successful hit musical '' Hairspray'' when it closed on 28 March 2010 at the Shaftesbury Theatre. She played the role of
Motormouth Maybelle ''Hairspray'' is a 1988 American comedy film written and directed by John Waters, starring Ricki Lake, Divine, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono, Jerry Stiller, Leslie Ann Powers, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Michael St. Gerard, and Ruth Brown. ''Hairspray'' ...
, alongside
Phill Jupitus Phillip Christopher Jupitus (, ''né'' Swan; born 25 June 1962) is an English stand-up and improv comedian, actor, performance poet, cartoonist and podcaster. Jupitus was a team captain on all but one BBC Two-broadcast episode of music quiz ''N ...
and
Brian Conley Brian Paul Conley (born 7 August 1961) is an English actor, comedian, singer and television presenter. Conley has been the host of ''The Brian Conley Show'', as well as presenting the Royal Variety Performance on eight occasions. In his 40-ye ...
as Edna Turnblad. Clarke was Davina the Diva Harp in '' Jack and the Beanstalk'' and Carmina the Camel in ''
Aladdin Aladdin ( ; ar, علاء الدين, ', , ATU 561, ‘Aladdin') is a Middle-Eastern folk tale. It is one of the best-known tales associated with ''The Book of One Thousand and One Nights'' (''The Arabian Nights''), despite not being part of ...
'', both at the Hackney Empire. In July 2010, she appeared in a one-off performance at the Hackney Empire called ''Sounds Like Hackney'', alongside Clive Rowe. Clarke made an appearance at ''Music on the Farm'', held at Battlers Green Farm in aid of charity, singing hits from musicals that she has starred in. In October 2010, the Apollo Victoria Theatre, home to the musical '' Wicked'', celebrated its 80th anniversary and Clarke was a guest performer alongside other stars such as Wayne Sleep. 2011 saw Clarke take the role of Oda Mae Brown in a musical adaptation of the film ''
Ghost A ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that is believed to be able to appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to rea ...
''. Beginning previews in March at the Manchester Opera House, the show transferred in June 2011 to the West End at the Piccadilly Theatre, replacing '' Grease''. Clarke was nominated in 2012 for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical, losing out on the award to
Nigel Harman Nigel Derek Harman (born 11 August 1973) is an English actor, best known for his role as Dennis Rickman in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders''. He has worked mostly in theatre. He starred in the final series of '' Hotel Babylon ...
for his role in '' Shrek the Musical''. In October 2011, she appeared in a concert of the new musical ''
Soho Cinders ''Soho Cinders'' is a musical with music by George Stiles, lyrics and a book by Anthony Drewe with Elliot Davis as co-author. A modern adaptation of the ''Cinderella'' story, it transfers the action to the heart of London's Soho, and replaces ...
'' at the Queen's Theatre, London. Clarke has also worked as Musical Director on ''Meridan''. Since finishing in '' Ghost The Musical'' upon its closure in 2012, Clarke has appeared in her own one-woman cabaret at the St James Theatre. She appeared in
James Baldwin James Arthur Baldwin (August 2, 1924 – December 1, 1987) was an American writer. He garnered acclaim across various media, including essays, novels, plays, and poems. His first novel, '' Go Tell It on the Mountain'', was published in 1953; de ...
's ''
The Amen Corner ''The Amen Corner'' is a three-act play by James Baldwin. It was Baldwin's first work for the stage following the success of his novel '' Go Tell It on the Mountain''. The drama was first published in 1954, and inspired a short-lived 1983 Broadwa ...
'' at the
Royal National Theatre The Royal National Theatre in London, commonly known as the National Theatre (NT), is one of the United Kingdom's three most prominent publicly funded performing arts venues, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House. I ...
, for which she won Best Supporting Actress at the 2014 Olivier Awards. In the summer of 2014, she played the supporting role of Mariah in the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of '' Porgy and Bess''. In March 2015, Clarke played the Nurse in ''
Romeo and Juliet ''Romeo and Juliet'' is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about the romance between two Italian youths from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetim ...
'' at the Rose Theatre, Kingston. In February 2016, she received critical acclaim for her role in a revival of August Wilson's '' Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'' at the Lyttelton Theatre (for example: "Sharon D Clarke is terrific as Ma Rainey, regally imperious" – '' The Telegraph''; "Her golden delivery of the title song is a high point" – '' The Observer''; "Sharon D Clarke offers a wonderfully obstreperous performance as the eponymous blues star" – ''
Time Out Time-out, Time Out, or timeout may refer to: Time * Time-out (sport), in various sports, a break in play, called by a team * Television timeout, a break in sporting action so that a commercial break may be taken * Timeout (computing), an enginee ...
''; "the powerhouse delivery of Sharon D Clarke in the central role of Ma Rainey is exhilarating" – '' The Stage''). In 2017, she played the role of Sonya in
Cy Coleman Cy Coleman (born Seymour Kaufman; June 14, 1929 – November 18, 2004) was an American composer, songwriter, and jazz pianist. Life and career Coleman was born Seymour Kaufman in New York City, United States, to Eastern European Jewish parents ...
's musical '' The Life'' at Southwark Playhouse and Caroline Thibodeaux in '' Caroline, or Change'' at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Clarke reprised her role in ''Caroline, or Change'' when the production transferred to the Playhouse Theatre in the West End in 2018. At the
2019 Laurence Olivier Awards The 2019 Laurence Olivier Awards was held on 7 April 2019 at the Royal Albert Hall. The ceremony was hosted by Jason Manford. Eligibility Any new production that opened between 22 February 2018 and 19 February 2019 in a theatre represented in th ...
, Clarke won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for this role. The production transferred to Roundabout Theatre Company's
Studio 54 Studio 54 is a Broadway theater and a former disco nightclub at 254 West 54th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Operated by the Roundabout Theatre Company, Studio 54 has 1,006 seats on two levels. The theater was ...
on Broadway in October 2021, having been postponed for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Clark reprised her role, making her Broadway debut and was well received by critics. The limited run ended on January 9th, 2022. In 2019, she played the role of Linda Loman in Arthur Miller’s play '' Death of a Salesman'' at the
Young Vic The Young Vic Theatre is a performing arts venue located on The Cut, near the South Bank, in the London Borough of Lambeth. The Young Vic was established by Frank Dunlop in 1970. Kwame Kwei-Armah has been Artistic Director since February 201 ...
, due to transfer to the West End in October 2019. In July 2019 she played the role of The Lady in
Sheldon Epps Sheldon may refer to: * Sheldon (name), a given name and a surname, and a list of people with the name Places Australia *Sheldon, Queensland *Sheldon Forest, New South Wales United Kingdom *Sheldon, Derbyshire, England *Sheldon, Devon, England *S ...
’s ''Blues In The Night'' at the
Kiln Theatre The Kiln Theatre (formerly the Tricycle Theatre) is a theatre located in Kilburn, London, Kilburn, in the London Borough of Brent, England. Since 1980, the theatre has presented a wide range of plays reflecting the cultural diversity of the ar ...
, London.


Music

Clarke achieved chart success with the FPI Project's remake of ''Going Back to My Roots'' and in Nomad with the singles "
(I Wanna Give You) Devotion "(I Wanna Give You) Devotion" is a song by English electronic group Nomad, released in 1990 (UK/Europe) and 1991 (US). It was the second single from their only album, ''Changing Cabins'', released later in 1991. It was a number-one hit in Greece a ...
" and "Just a Groove", the latter of which sold more than two million singles worldwide. Clarke was also part of the female vocal group Six Chix, formed for the Eurovision Song Contest 2000. They came second in the UK selection with the song "Only the Women Know". They were beaten by Nicki French singing "Don't Play That Song Again", which went on to
Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...
to finish 16th. As well as appearing on the original cast recordings for ''Once on This Island'', '' Stepping Out'', ''We Will Rock You'' and ''Ghost The Musical'', Clarke recorded the title song on Terry Pratchett's ''
Only You Can Save Mankind ''Only You Can Save Mankind'' (1992 in literature, 1992) is the debut novel, first novel in the Johnny Maxwell trilogy of children's books and fifth young adult fiction, young adult novel by Terry Pratchett, author of the ''Discworld'' sequence ...
'' album alongside other West End stars, including Kerry Ellis, Ricardo Afonso and Daniel Boys.


Personal life

Clarke is married to writer and director Susie McKenna. They wed on the Hackney Empire stage. Clarke was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to drama.


Filmography


Film


Television


Video games


Awards and nominations

Tony Award Laurence Olivier Awards Grammy Awards Drama Desk Awards Outer Critics Circle Awards Other awards


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Sharon D. Living people 1966 births 20th-century English actresses 21st-century English actresses Actresses from London Black British actresses 20th-century Black British women singers English musical theatre actresses English people of Ghanaian descent English stage actresses English television actresses English video game actresses English voice actresses English lesbian actresses LGBT Black British people 20th-century LGBT people 21st-century LGBT people Members of the Order of the British Empire People from Enfield, London