Siobhan Hewlett (born 15 April 1983) is an Anglo Irish film, television, radio and theatre actress, writer, producer, poet and artist. Her acting credits include Monsieur N (2003), The Canterbury Tales (2003), The Philanthropist (2005), The Virgin Queen (2005), Irina Palm (2007), Torchwood (2008), Hotel Babylon (2009), Henry VIII: The Mind of a Tyrant (2009), Sherlock (2010), Bonded by Blood (2011), Hummingbird (2013), Brakes (2016), The Show (2021), and McDonald & Dodds (2021).

Biography Hewlett's father, Donald Hewlett, was an actor who starred in It Ain't Half Hot Mum and other sitcoms, and her mother, Thérèse McMurray, was a child star. She was the lead in the hospital-based drama Emergency Ward 10, and star of Dad's Army, and Are You Being Served.

Educated in England on art scholarships, Hewlett attended Wellesley House School, Downe House School, and The King's School, Canterbury. A period of family ill health during Siobhán's childhood meant that she became her family's main carer. She won a scholarship to study acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, for a 3-year classical acting diploma course.

Hewlett was brought up between the West of Ireland (Lahinch) and the East Kent coast of England (Whitstable).

Hewlett studied playwriting at the Royal Court Theatre's Young Writers program under playwright Simon Stephens. She also spent some time in Los Angeles, attending The Groundlings improv school as well as performing with L.A. Theatre Works.

Career Whilst still at drama school at 19, Hewlett was chosen by French film director Antoine de Caunes to play the leading role in Monsieur N, a role that required she learn French. Shortly afterward, she starred in the British comedy series Fortysomething, opposite Hugh Laurie and Benedict Cumberbatch, for ITV.

Hewlett made her professional stage debut at The Finborough Theatre in London, starring opposite Chris O'Dowd, Clarke Peters, and Daniela Nardini in Etta Jenks. She found further success in 1999, when starring opposite Dame Julie Walters and Bill Nighy, in BBC BAFTA winning The Canterbury Tales.

In 2005, Hewlett made her West end stage debut at the Donmar Warehouse, starring alongside Simon Russell Beale, in the Christopher Hampton hit play The Philanthropist, To rave reviews, “ The luscious & accomplished Araminta was played by the luscious & accomplished Siobhán Hewlett, whose electrifying stage presence would have stolen any other show.” - The Independent. The show was nominated the 2006 South Bank show award for Theatre.

In 2007, she starred in the indie hit Irina Palm, opposite Marianne Faithfull and Kevin Bishop which won the audience prize at The Berlin international Film Festival. Hewlett continued working with Cumberbatch when she guest starred in the first episode of award-winning Sherlock and hit series Parades End.

Hewlett has worked with comic book writer Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta) and photographer/director Mitch Jenkins. Hewlett starred as journalist Faith Harrington in a series of occult noir films – the first of which, was 'Act of Faith'. Hewlett became exec producer on the series, 'Showpieces' and subsequent feature, The Show starring opposite Tom Burke as Fletcher Dennis.

In 2020, Hewlett began collaborating with Neil Gaiman re imagining one of his short stories into a feature film.

Theatre Hewlett's theatre credits include Araminta in The Philanthropist at the Donmar Warehouse with Simon Russell Beale Kitty in Etta Jenks at the Finborough Theatre with Chris O'Dowd, Daniela Nardini and Clarke Peters, directed by Che Walker; Ginny in Relatively Speaking with Peter Bowles; The Waltz of the Toreadors at Chichester Festival Theatre directed by Angus Jackson; and Donny's Brain by Rona Munro at Hampstead Theatre opposite Ryan Early.

Additional works In 2008, Hewlett had her first exhibition at The Osborne Studio Gallery, Belgravia, London exhibiting her talents as a singer, published artist and poet. Hewlett has adapted, is producing and starring in a feature-length adaptation of short story, The Thing About Cassandra by Neil Gaiman. Hewlett, alongside old family friend Benedict Cumberbatch, was chosen to represent The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as one of their ambassadors in 2017. She is also a surfer, and plays the guitar.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Director Notes 2002 The Gathering Janie Brian Gilbert 2003 Monsieur N Betsy Balcombe Antoine de Caunes Nominated for six César Awards 2004 Piccadilly Jim Drunk Party Girl John McKay 2007 Irina Palm Sarah Sam Garbaski Winner of the Jury prize at Berlin Film Festival 2007 2009 Dread Quaid's Mother Anthony DiBlasi 2011 Is This a Joke? Amazing Blonde Tom Edmunds 2011 Act of Faith Faith Harrington Mitch Jenkins 2011 Bonded by Blood Julia Sacha Bennett 2012 Jimmy's End Faith Harrington Mitch Jenkins 2013 Little Favour Voice and special thanks Patrick Victor Munro 2013 Hummingbird Tracey Steven Knight 2014 Paddy Mum Laurence Spellman and Immanuel von Bennigsen 2015 Lotus 2016 Brakes Kate Mercedes Grower 2016 Nipplejesus Sarah Jake Lushington 2017 Country of Hotels Brenda Julio Mario Martino 2020 The Show Faith Harrington Mitch Jenkins 2022 The Lost Girls The original Wendy Darling 2024 The Watchers Mina's Mother Ishana Shyalaman post production

Television Year Title Role Production Notes 2003 Fortysomething Lucy Proek ITV 2003 The Canterbury Tales Karen BBC 2004 Midsomer Murders Amanda ITV 2005 The Virgin Queen Cecily BBC 2007 M.I. High Sonya Frost BBC 2007 Lilies Harriet BBC 2007 New Tricks Imogen Glover BBC 2008 Torchwood Harriet BBC 2009 Hotel Babylon Isabel BBC 2009 Trinity Claudette Rough Cut 2009 Henry VIII: The Mind of a Tyrant Catherine of Aragon Channel 4 2010 Sherlock Helen BBC 2011 Pete versus Life Mel Channel 4 2012 The Syndicate Hotel receptionist ITV 2012 Parade's End Michaelangelo woman HBO 2013 The Syndicate 2 Olivia Goldsmith BBC 2017 When All Is Said And Done – ABBA BIOPIC Agnetha Faltskog (younger) ITV 2021 McDonald & Dodds – 'The War of Rose' Nurse Penny Haggard ITV 2021 The Holiday Chalkboard

Theatre Year Title Theatre Role Notes 2004 Etta Jenks Finborough Theatre Kitty and Shelley With Chris O'Dowd, Clarke Peters and Daniela Nardini 2005 The Philanthropist Donmar Warehouse Araminta With Simon Russell Beale, Danny Webb and Anna Madeley 2006 The Taming of the Shrew Wilton's Music Hall Bianca With Oliver Chris and Rachael Stirling 2008 Waltz of the Toreadors Chichester Festival Theatre Sidonie With Peter Bowles, Maggie Steed and Al Weaver 2009 Relatively Speaking Theatre Royal Bath Ginny With Peter Bowles 2011 Drowning on Dry Land Jermyn Street Theatre Gail Gilchrist 2012 Donny's Brain Hampstead Theatre Trish Gail

Video games

Year Title Role Notes 2013 Mass Effect 3 – Citadel DLC Maya Brooks 2013 Ryse: Son of Rome Septima 2014 Dragon Age: Inquisition Additional voices 2015 Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Shiva/Iceheart Heavensward expansion only 2016 Song of the Deep Narrator 2020 Battletoads Dark Queen

References

External links