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 Mike Leigh (born 20 February 1943) is an English film and theatre director, screenwriter and playwright. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and further at the Camberwell School of Art, the Central School of Art and Design ...

, 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 ''The Bill'' is a British police procedural television series, first broadcast on ITV from 16 August 1983 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, '' Woodentop'', broadcast in August 1983. The programme focused on ...

'' 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'' (2002) 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 "The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge" is the third episode of the second series of the British dark comedy anthology television programme '' Inside No. 9''. It was written by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton, and directed by Dan Zeff. It first ...

", 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 ''Midsomer Murders'' is a British crime drama television series, adapted by Anthony Horowitz and Douglas Watkinson from the novels in the '' Chief Inspector Barnaby'' book series (created by Caroline Graham), and broadcast on two channels of ...

'' “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 in season five of the series '' Strike''.

Film

Sheen frequently appears in the films of

. She played the female lead in '' High Hopes'' (1988), a laughing woman in '' Secrets & Lies'' (1996), Maureen in ''

All or Nothing All or Nothing may refer to: Film and television * ''All or Nothing'' (film), a 2002 film by Mike Leigh * ''All or Nothing'' (game show), a 2004–2005 Russian game show based on ''Deal or No Deal'' * ''All or Nothing'' (sports docuseries), ...

'' (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 Heartless may refer to: Books * ''Heartless'' (Carriger novel), a 2011 novel in the ''New York Times'' best-selling "Parasol Protectorate" series by Gail Carriger * ''Heartless'' (Pretty Little Liars), a 2010 novel in the "Pretty Little Liars" se ...

'', 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 The Theatre Royal Stratford East is a 460 seat Victorian producing theatre in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham. Since 1953, it has been the home of the Theatre Workshop company, famously associated with director Joan Littlewood, whos ...

in 1993. She has appeared in ''Stoning Mary'' at the

Royal Court Theatre The Royal Court Theatre, at different times known as the Court Theatre, the New Chelsea Theatre, and the Belgravia Theatre, is a West End theatre#London's non-commercial theatres, non-commercial West End theatre in Sloane Square, in the Royal ...

, ''Market Boy'' 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 ...

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 ''Leaves of Glass'' is the sixth adult stage play by Philip Ridley. It premiered at the Soho Theatre in London, England, on 3 May 2007. The play was commissioned and directed by Lisa Goldman after being greatly impressed by Ridley's previo ...

'' at the Soho Theatre.

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

* {{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