Cast & creator
Ruth Sheen
Best known for Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Silent Witness
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.
Also known as: روث شین
45
film credits
31
television credits
76
1984–2025 · acting roles
6.6
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (76)
Showing 76 of 76 credits
Midsomer Murders
Valerie Horton
1997
Casualty
Barbara George
1986
Silent Witness
1996
Peak Practice
Pauline Wadham
1993
The Bill
1984
Screen Two
Viv Hastings
1985
Inside No. 9
Elizabeth Gadge
2014
Hijack
Elaine Atterton
2023
ScreenPlay
Karen
1986
Unforgotten
Lizzie Wilton
2015
Misfits
Maggie
2009
Gangs of London
Deborah Devereux
2020
Brassic
Kath
2019
Strike
Pat Chauncey
2017
The Nevers
Mrs. Beechum
2021
Cracker
Jean McIlvanney
1993Cracker
Jean McIIvanney
1993
The Thursday Murder Club
Aunt Maud
2025
Accused
Mo's Mum
2010
The History of Tom Jones: A Foundling
Mrs. Harris
1997
It's a Sin
Sandra
2021
Bramwell
1995
Prime Suspect 1973
Renee Bentley
2017
The Mimic
Mrs Hurdle
2013
Welcome to the Punch
Iris Warns
2013
Run Fatboy Run
Claudine
2007
Imagine Me & You
Mrs Webster
2006
Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky
Aunt Winnie
2005
A Street Cat Named Bob
Elsie
2016
Secrets & Lies
Laughing Woman
1996
The Woman in White
Mrs Clements
2018
Another Year
Gerri
2010
Berkeley Square
Nanny Simmons
1998
Vanity Fair
Miss Pinkerton
2004
Mr. Turner
Sarah Danby
2014
Vital Signs
Val
2006
Cyrano
Mother Marthe
2021
A Royal Night Out
Jack's Mum
2015
Vera Drake
Lily
2004
All or Nothing
Maureen
2002
Touch
Mrs. Ellis
2024
Lorna Doone
Betty Muxworthy
2000
Fanny Hill
Mrs. Jones
2007
Virtual Sexuality
Jackie Lovett
1999
Different for Girls
Nosy neighbour
1996
Fanny Hill
Mrs Jones
2007
The Young Poisoner's Handbook
Molly
1995
The After
Tabatha
2024
The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge
Elizabeth Gadge
2015
Cheeky
Tamara
2003
Footprints in the Snow
Lady Victualler
2005
Ghostwatch
Emma Stableford (voice)
1992
Don Quixote
1st Wench / Young Lady
2000
SuperBob
Pat
2015
High Hopes
Shirley
1989
Little Dorrit
Society Lady
1987
A Class Apart
Ruth
2007
Heartless
Marion Morgan
2010
When Pigs Fly
Marge
1993
Never Never
Sandra
2000The One and Only Mike Leigh
Self
2014
Lorna Doone
Betty Muxworthy
2001
A Fatal Inversion
Forensic Scientist
1992
Plain Jane
May
2002
The Hardest Part
Bus Lady
2010
Clubland
Karen
1991
VS.
Fiona
2018
The Angry Earth
Nurse Berry
1989The English Harem
Emily
2005Brave Young Men
Stephanie Malloy
2009Hush Your Mouth
Mrs Collins
2007Bait
Cafe Woman
2000
Sin Bin
Viv Hastings
1994Night Voice
Helen Baldwin
1990
Sweetly It Turns
Joy
2023
A Class Apart
Ruth - Candy's mum
2007