Ruth Sheen
Born: 1952-01-01 in London, England, UK
Known For: Acting
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.
Filmography
2025
- The Thursday Murder Club as Aunt Maud
2023
- Hijack as Elaine Atterton
- Sweetly It Turns as Joy
2021
- The Nevers as Mrs. Beechum
- Cyrano as Mother Marthe
- It's a Sin as Sandra
2020
- Gangs of London as Deborah Devereux
2019
- Brassic as Kath
2018
- VS. as Fiona
- The Woman in White as Mrs. Clements
2017
- Strike as Pat Chauncey
- Prime Suspect 1973 as Renee Bentley
2016
- A Street Cat Named Bob as Elsie
2015
- Unforgotten as Lizzie Wilton
- SuperBob as Pat
- A Royal Night Out as Jack's Mum
2014
- Inside No. 9 as Elizabeth Gadge
- The One and Only Mike Leigh as Self
- Mr. Turner as Sarah Danby
2013
- Welcome to the Punch as Iris Warns
2010
- Another Year as Gerri
- Accused as Mo's Mum
- Heartless as Marion Morgan
- The Hardest Part as Bus Lady
2009
- Misfits as Maggie
- Brave Young Men as Stephanie Malloy
2007
- Fanny Hill as Mrs. Jones
- Run Fatboy Run as Claudine
- A Class Apart as Ruth - Candy's mum
- Hush Your Mouth as Mrs Collins
- Fanny Hill as Mrs Jones
- A Class Apart as Ruth
2006
- Imagine Me & You as Mrs Webster
- Vital Signs
2005
- Footprints in the Snow as Lady Victualler
- The English Harem as Emily
- Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky as Aunt Winnie
2004
- Vera Drake as Lily
- Vanity Fair as Miss Pinkerton
2003
- Cheeky as Tamara
2002
- Plain Jane as May
- All or Nothing as Maureen
2001
- Lorna Doone as Betty Muxworthy
- The Infinite Worlds of H.G. Wells as Mrs. MacMananan
2000
- Don Quixote as 1st Wench / Young Lady
- Lorna Doone as Betty Muxworthy
- Never Never as Sandra
- Bait as Cafe Woman
1999
- Virtual Sexuality as Jackie Lovett
1998
- Berkeley Square as Nanny Simmons
1997
- Midsomer Murders as Valerie Horton
- Holding On as Alice
- The History of Tom Jones: A Foundling as Mrs. Harris
1996
- Silent Witness
- Secrets & Lies as Laughing Woman
- Different for Girls as Nosy neighbour
1995
- Bramwell
- The Young Poisoner's Handbook as Molly
1994
- Sin Bin as Viv Hastings
1993
- Peak Practice as Pauline Wadham
- Cracker as Jean McIlvanney
- When Pigs Fly as Marge
1992
- Ghostwatch as Emma Stableford (voice)
- A Fatal Inversion as Forensic Scientist
1991
- Clubland as Karen
1990
- Night Voice as Helen Baldwin
1989
- High Hopes as Shirley
- The Angry Earth as Nurse Berry
1987
- Little Dorrit as Society Lady
1986
- Casualty as Barbara George