Ruth Sheen
Known for: Acting
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
Series
Midsomer Murders
Valerie Horton
1997
Series
Casualty
Barbara George
1986
Series
Silent Witness
1996
Series
Peak Practice
Pauline Wadham
1993
Series
Inside No. 9
Elizabeth Gadge
2014
Series
Screen Two
Viv Hastings
1985
Series
Misfits
Maggie
2009
Series
Hijack
Elaine Atterton
2023
Series
Strike
Pat Chauncey
2017
Series
Brassic
Kath
2019
Series
Unforgotten
Lizzie Wilton
2015
Series
Gangs of London
Deborah Devereux
2020
Film
The Thursday Murder Club
Aunt Maud
2025
Series
The Bill
1984
Series
The Nevers
Mrs. Beechum
2021
Series
Cracker
Jean McIlvanney
1993
Series
Cracker
Jean McIIvanney
1993
Series
Accused
Mo's Mum
2010
Series
ScreenPlay
Karen
1986
Series
It's a Sin
Sandra
2021
Series
Bramwell
1995
Film
Imagine Me & You
Mrs Webster
2006
Film
Mr. Turner
Sarah Danby
2014
Film
A Street Cat Named Bob
Elsie
2016
Film
Secrets & Lies
Laughing Woman
1996
Film
Run Fatboy Run
Claudine
2007
Series
Prime Suspect 1973
Renee Bentley
2017
Film
Vanity Fair
Miss Pinkerton
2004
Film
All or Nothing
Maureen
2002
Film
Vera Drake
Lily
2004
Series
The History of Tom Jones: A Foundling
Mrs. Harris
1997
Film
Welcome to the Punch
Iris Warns
2013
Film
Touch
Mrs. Ellis
2024
Series
The Mimic
Mrs Hurdle
2013
Film
Cyrano
Mother Marthe
2021
Film
Fanny Hill
Mrs. Jones
2007
Film
Another Year
Gerri
2010
Series
Lorna Doone
Betty Muxworthy
2000
Series
Vital Signs
Val
2006
Film
Little Dorrit
Society Lady
1987
Series
The Woman in White
Mrs Clements
2018
Series
Berkeley Square
Nanny Simmons
1998
Film
A Royal Night Out
Jack's Mum
2015
Series
Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky
Aunt Winnie
2005
Series
Fanny Hill
Mrs Jones
2007
Film
The After
Tabatha
2024
Film
Cheeky
Tamara
2003
Film
Don Quixote
1st Wench / Young Lady
2000
Film
Ghostwatch
Emma Stableford (voice)
1992
Film
Heartless
Marion Morgan
2010
Film
The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge
Elizabeth Gadge
2015
Film
Plain Jane
May
2002
Film
The Young Poisoner's Handbook
Molly
1995
Film
Different for Girls
Nosy neighbour
1996
Film
High Hopes
Shirley
1989
Film
SuperBob
Pat
2015
Film
Virtual Sexuality
Jackie Lovett
1999
Film
Lorna Doone
Betty Muxworthy
2001
Series
A Class Apart
Ruth
2007
Film
Footprints in the Snow
Lady Victualler
2005
Film
When Pigs Fly
Marge
1993
Series
Never Never
Sandra
2000
Film
The Angry Earth
Nurse Berry
1989
Film
VS.
Fiona
2018
The One and Only Mike Leigh
Self
2014
Film
Sin Bin
Viv Hastings
1994
Film
The Hardest Part
Bus Lady
2010
Night Voice
Helen Baldwin
1990
Hush Your Mouth
Mrs Collins
2007
Brave Young Men
Stephanie Malloy
2009
The English Harem
Emily
2005
Film
Clubland
Karen
1991
Film
A Fatal Inversion
Forensic Scientist
1992
Film
Sweetly It Turns
Joy
2023
Film
A Class Apart
Ruth - Candy's mum
2007
Bait
Cafe Woman
2000