Acting · London, England, UK · Born January 1, 1952
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.
MovieThe Thursday Murder Club
2025
as Aunt Maud
MovieTouch
2024
as Mrs. Ellis
MovieThe After
2024
as Tabatha
TVHijack
2023
as Elaine Atterton
MovieSweetly It Turns
2023
as Joy
MovieCyrano
2021
as Mother Marthe
TVThe Nevers
2021
as Mrs. Beechum
TVIt's a Sin
2021
as Sandra
TVGangs of London
2020
as Deborah Devereux
TVBrassic
2019
as Kath
MovieVS.
2018
as Fiona
TVThe Woman in White
2018
as Mrs Clements
TVStrike
2017
as Pat Chauncey
TVPrime Suspect 1973
2017
as Renee Bentley
MovieA Street Cat Named Bob
2016
as Elsie
MovieSuperBob
2015
as Pat
TVUnforgotten
2015
as Lizzie Wilton
MovieA Royal Night Out
2015
as Jack's Mum
MovieThe Trial of Elizabeth Gadge
2015
as Elizabeth Gadge
The One and Only Mike Leigh
2014
as Self
MovieMr. Turner
2014
as Sarah Danby
TVInside No. 9
2014
as Elizabeth Gadge
MovieWelcome to the Punch
2013
as Iris Warns
TVThe Mimic
2013
as Mrs Hurdle
TVAccused
2010
as Mo's Mum
MovieAnother Year
2010
as Gerri
MovieThe Hardest Part
2010
as Bus Lady
MovieHeartless
2010
as Marion Morgan
TVMisfits
2009
as Maggie
Brave Young Men
2009
as Stephanie Malloy
MovieFanny Hill
2007
as Mrs. Jones
TVFanny Hill
2007
as Mrs Jones
MovieRun Fatboy Run
2007
as Claudine
MovieA Class Apart
2007
as Ruth - Candy's mum
TVA Class Apart
2007
as Ruth
Hush Your Mouth
2007
as Mrs Collins
TVVital Signs
2006
as Val
MovieImagine Me & You
2006
as Mrs Webster
The English Harem
2005
as Emily
MovieFootprints in the Snow
2005
as Lady Victualler
TVTwenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky
2005
as Aunt Winnie
MovieVera Drake
2004
as Lily
MovieVanity Fair
2004
as Miss Pinkerton
MovieCheeky
2003
as Tamara
MovieAll or Nothing
2002
as Maureen
MoviePlain Jane
2002
as May
MovieLorna Doone
2001
as Betty Muxworthy
TVLorna Doone
2000
as Betty Muxworthy
TVNever Never
2000
as Sandra
Bait
2000
as Cafe Woman
MovieDon Quixote
2000
as 1st Wench / Young Lady
MovieVirtual Sexuality
1999
as Jackie Lovett
TVBerkeley Square
1998
as Nanny Simmons
TVThe History of Tom Jones: A Foundling
1997
as Mrs. Harris
TVMidsomer Murders
1997
as Valerie Horton
MovieDifferent for Girls
1996
as Nosy neighbour
MovieSecrets & Lies
1996
as Laughing Woman
TVSilent Witness
1996
TVBramwell
1995
MovieThe Young Poisoner's Handbook
1995
as Molly
MovieSin Bin
1994
as Viv Hastings
TVCracker
1993
as Jean McIlvanney
MovieWhen Pigs Fly
1993
as Marge
TVPeak Practice
1993
as Pauline Wadham
MovieGhostwatch
1992
as Emma Stableford (voice)
MovieA Fatal Inversion
1992
as Forensic Scientist
MovieClubland
1991
as Karen
Night Voice
1990
as Helen Baldwin
MovieHigh Hopes
1989
as Shirley
MovieThe Angry Earth
1989
as Nurse Berry
MovieLittle Dorrit
1987
as Society Lady
TVCasualty
1986
as Barbara George
TVScreenPlay
1986
as Karen
TVScreen Two
1985
as Viv Hastings
TVThe Bill
1984
