Quick Facts
Biography
Sharon Small is a Scottish actress acclaimed for her dramatic work in film, radio, theatre, and television. Perhaps best known for her portrayal of Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in the BBC television adaptation of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries by Elizabeth George, she is also recognised for her lead roles in Law & Order: UK (as Inspector Elisabeth Flynn) and Trust Me (playing Dr Brigitte Rayne).
Early life
Sharon Small was born in Glasgow, Scotland, the eldest of five children. She attended Kinghorn Primary School where she was the Kinghorn Gala Queen in her final year. She then attended Balwearie High School in Kirkcaldy.
She studied drama at Kirkcaldy College. and continued her study at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.
Personal life
Small lives in London.
She has two sons Leo and Zac with her partner, photographer Daniel Bridges
Career
Film
| Year | Title | Character | Production | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Bumping the Odds | Terry | - | Best Actress Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival |
| 1997 | Bite | Alison | - | - |
| 1998 | Driven | Caroline Hall | Dandelion Films | - |
| 2002 | About a Boy | Christine | - | - |
| 2004 | Dear Frankie | Marie | Universal | - |
| 2004 | Belly Button | Kika | Satellite Pictures | - |
| 2009 | Pop Art short film | - | Forward Films |
Television
| Year | Title | Character | Production | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Taggart | Michelle Gibson | SMG Productions | 1 episode |
| 1996 | Doctor Finlay | Irene Gallagher | - | 1 episode |
| 1997 | The Bill | Gina Nash | ITV | - |
| 1997 | Hamish Macbeth | WPC Anne Patterson | - | 1 episode |
| 1997 | No Child of Mine | Linda | - | - |
| 1999–2000 | Sunburn | Carol Simpson | - | 14 episodes |
| 2000 | Glasgow Kiss | Cara Rossi | - | 6 episodes |
| 2003 | Cutting It | Boo Wiberley | - | - |
| 2001–2007 | The Inspector Lynley Mysteries | DS Barbara Havers | BBC | 23 episodes - nominated for Most Popular Actress and the Golden Satellite Award |
| 2005 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Titania | BBC's Shakespeare Retold season | - |
| 2006 | Rebus | Miranda Masterson | - | - |
| 2007 | Nina and the Neurons | Bud the Taste Neuron | - | 7 episodes |
| 2009 | Murderland | Dr Laura Maitland | ITV | 3 episodes |
| 2008–2010 | Mistresses | Trudi Malloy | BBC | - |
| 2010 | Agatha Christie's Marple | Mary Pritchard | ITV adaptation of "Miss Marple: The Blue Geranium", aired in the US on PBS | - |
| 2011 | Downton Abbey | Marigold Shore | - | 1 episode |
| 2012 | Kidnap and Ransom | Beth Cooper | ITV | 3 episodes |
| 2012 | New Tricks | Minnie/Annabel Tilson | BBC | 1 episode |
| 2013 | Silent Witness | Geraldine Briggs | BBC | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Call the Midwife | Nora Harding | BBC | 1 episode |
| 2014 | Death in Paradise | Dorothy Foster | BBC | 1 episode |
| 2014 | Midsomer Murders | Ruth Cameron | ITV | 1 episode |
| 2014 | Law & Order: UK | Inspector Elisabeth Flynn | ITV | 1 episode |
| 2015 | Stonemouth | Connie Murston | BBC | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Trust Me | Dr Brigitte Rayne | BBC | 4 episodes |
Theatre
Small has appeared in 35 plays to date, her credits include;
| Year | Title | Character | Production |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht | Polly | London Donmar Theatre |
| 1996 | The Nun | - | Greenwich Studio Theatre |
| 1998 | London Cuckolds by Edward Ravencroft | - | Royal National Theatre |
| 2004 | When Harry Met Sally | Marie | Theatre Royal Haymarket |
| 2005 | Lear by Edward Bond | Fortanelle | Sheffield Crucible Theatre |
| 2009 | Life Is A Dream | Estrella | Donmar Warehouse |
| 2010 | Spur of the Moment by Anya Reiss | Vicky Evans | Royal Court Theatre |
| 2010 | Men Should Weep by Ena Lamont Stewart | Maggie Morrison | National Theatre |
| 2014 | Arden of Faversham by Anonymous | Alice Arden | Royal Shakespeare Company |
| 2015 | Carmen Disruption | The Singer | The Almeida Theatre |
| 2015 | Luna Gale by Rebecca Gilman | Caroline | Hampstead Theatre |
| 2016 | The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht | Jenny Diver | Royal National Theatre |
Radio
| Title | Character |
|---|---|
| At The Foot Of The Cross | Narrator |
| High Table, Lower Orders | Zoe |
| "Dr. Finlay - The Adventures Of A Black Bag" | Nurse Angus |
| Angel | Lorraine |
| The Order of Release | Effie Ruskin |
Awards and honours
- 2008 TV Choice Awards - Best Actress - NOMINATED
- 2007 Golden Satellite Awards - Best Actress - NOMINATED (for the Inspector Lynley Mysteries)
- 1997 Edinburgh Film Festival - Best Actress Award - WON (for "Bumping the Odds")