Acting · Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK · Born October 10, 1964
Sarah Lancashire is an English actress whose career began in 1986. Lancashire's first acting roles were in local theatre, with small guest roles in television dramas and sitcoms. After coming to public attention with roles in popular programmes including Coronation Street (1991-1996, 2000), Where the Heart Is (1997–1999) and Clocking Off (2000), Lancashire signed a two-year golden handcuffs contract with the ITV network, appearing exclusively in ITV1 programming for the next two years. Lancashire has continued to work extensively across a variety of television drama genres, including guest appearances, regular roles in returning series and with featured roles in standalone miniseries' and television films. Her more prolific work includes the drama series' Lark Rise to Candleford (2008-2011), Last Tango in Halifax (2012-2020) and Happy Valley (2014, 2016, 2023). Lancashire has appeared in the feature films And When Did You Last See Your Father? and Dad's Army and has returned to West End Theatre several times since her 1990 stint in Blood Brothers. Her combined acting credits have earned Lancashire a number of awards and nominations over a career spanning four decades and a prominent status within the British Television Industry of the 21st century. Lancashire was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to drama.
What has the BBC ever done for me?
2026
as Catherine Cawood
TVBlack Doves
2024
as Mrs. Reed
TVJulia
2022
as Julia Child
MovieEverybody's Talking About Jamie
2021
as Margaret New
TVAlan Bennett's Talking Heads
2020
as Gwen
TVThe Accident
2019
as Polly Bevan
MovieYesterday
2019
as Liz (Liverpool Stranger)
TVEdwardian Britain in Colour
2019
as Self - Narrator
MovieChristmas at St Paul's
2018
TVKiri
2018
as Miriam Grayson
TVSchool of Roars
2017
as Mrs. Twirlyhorn
MovieDad's Army
2016
as Mrs. Pike
MovieThe Dresser
2015
as Madge
MovieThe First Film
2015
as Lizze Le Prince (voice)
MovieFair Cop: A Century of British Policewomen
2015
as Narrator
TVHappy Valley
2014
as Catherine Cawood
TVLast Tango in Halifax
2012
as Caroline
TVThe Paradise
2012
as Miss Audrey
TVUpstairs Downstairs
2010
as Miss Whisset
TVFive Daughters
2010
as Rosemary Nicholls
TVWuthering Heights
2009
as Nelly Dean
TVAll the Small Things
2009
as Esther Caddick
TVLark Rise to Candleford
2008
as Adult Laura
TVOliver Twist
2007
as Mrs Corney
MovieAnd When Did You Last See Your Father?
2007
as Beaty
MovieSex, the City and Me
2007
as Ruth Gilbert
TVSkins
2007
as Mary
Angel Cake
2006
as Elaine Wilson
Angel Cake
2006
as Elaine Wilson
TVDoctor Who
2005
as Miss Foster
MovieCherished
2005
as Angela Cannings
TVThe Rotters' Club
2005
as Barbara Chase
MovieIn Search of Tony Blair
2004
as Self (Narrator)
Strike: When Britain Went to War
2003
as Self - Narrator(voice)
MovieSons & Lovers
2003
as Gertrude Morel
MovieBirthday Girl
2002
as Rachel Jones
TVRose and Maloney
2002
as Rose Linden
The Cry
2002
as Meg Bartlet
TVThe Cry
2002
as Meg Bartlett
MovieBack Home
2001
as Peggy Dickinson
TVThe Glass
2001
as Carol Parker
MovieGentlemen's Relish
2001
as Violtet Askey
MovieMy Fragile Heart
2000
as Trina Lavery
Chambers
2000
MovieSeeing Red
2000
as Coral Atkins
TVClocking Off
2000
as Yvonne Kolakowski
Bloomin' Marvellous
1997
as Liz Deakin
TVWhere the Heart Is
1997
as Ruth Goddard
MovieCoronation Street - The Feature Length Special
1995
as Raquel Watts
Exam Conditions
1992
as Secretary
TVMurder Most Horrid
1991
as Karen Sullivan
About Face
1989
TVGoing Live!
1987
as Self
TVWatching
1987
as Ms. Linden
TVDramarama
1983
as Janice Dobbs
TVCoronation Street
1960
as Raquel Watts
