Claire Louise Rushbrook (born 25 August 1971) is an English actress. Her films include Secrets & Lies (1996) and Ali & Ava (2021). On television, she is known for her roles in the BBC One series The Sins (2000), Carrie & Barry (2004–2005) and Sherwood (2022–), the ITV series Whitechapel (2009–2013) and Home Fires (2015–2016), the E4 series My Mad Fat Diary (2013–2015), and the Disney+ series Rivals (2024–).

Early life Claire Louise Rushbrook was born on 25 August 1971 in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. She attended Fearnhill School, in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, until 1989, before joining Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance, for three years, to study for a BA Hons degree in Theatre Art.

Career Rushbrook worked mainly in theatre for around five years before moving into film and television. She guest starred in the episodes "The Impossible Planet" and "The Satan Pit" in Doctor Who and had supporting roles in films Secrets & Lies and Spice World. Her Doctor Who guest star status earned her a position in a Doctor Who celebrity edition of The Weakest Link, but ended up being the fourth one voted off. She also appeared in the 2008 BBC comedy drama Mutual Friends, and the 2009 ITV1 dramas Whitechapel, and Collision, both alongside Phil Davis.

Rushbrook's theatre credits include West End productions of Three Sisters as Olga, and Festen as Helene. Other stage roles include Mary Warren in The Crucible (Sheffield Crucible theatre), Sonia in Uncle Vanya (Almeida Theatre), Mum in Market Boy (National Theatre), and Maggie in Middle (National Theatre).

Her films include Mike Leigh's Secrets & Lies (1996), and Carine Adler's Under the Skin (1997) with Samantha Morton. On television, she has starred in The Sins (2000), Linda Green (2001–02), the sitcom Carrie & Barry (2004–05).

From 2013 to 2015, she played Linda Earl-Bouchtat, Rae's Mum, in the television series My Mad Fat Diary, for which she received a 2014 nomination for BAFTA Best Supporting Actress.

In 2016, she appeared in Home Fires (2015–16), in 2020, she worked alongside Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill in Enola Holmes (as Mrs Lane) and with Saoirse Ronan in the film Ammonite. In 2021, she starred opposite Adeel Akhtar in the British film Ali & Ava. In 2021, Rushbrook played Laurie in BBC Radio 4 drama Jazz and Dice.

In 2023 she guest starred in "Love is a Stranger", episode 4 of the eighth series of the BBC's dark comedy anthology, Inside No. 9.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes1996Secrets & LiesRoxanne1997Under the SkinRose KellyCrocodile SnapMumShort filmSpice WorldDeborah1999Plunkett & MacleaneLady Estelle2000ShinerRuth2002Close Your EyesGraceAKA Doctor Sleep2003Anne MarieShort filmTetheredSarahShort film2007I Am BobBarladyShort filmMary and MickMaryShort film2019Spider-Man: Far From HomeJanice2020AmmoniteEleanor ButtersEnola HolmesMrs. Lane2021Ali & AvaAva2023The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryFarmer's WifeSky PealsDonna

Television Year Title Role Notes1994CasualtyPolicewomanEpisode: "Love and Affection"1997Turning WorldJulia Garnett3 episodes: "#1.1", "#1.2", "#1.3"Touching EvilJulie Carney2 episodes: "Killing with Kindness: Parts 1 & 2"1999Coronation StreetMrs. Barratt2 episodesSpacedYolandaEpisode: "Art"ShockersTerriEpisode: "The Visitor"2000Faith BlackwellTV miniseries, 6 episodes2001–2002Linda GreenMichelle FentonRecurring role, 10 episodes2002Elaine Massey SimmonsTV film2004Family BusinessRachel BrookerRecurring role, 6 episodes2004–2005Carrie & BarryCarrieMain role, 12 episodes2006Doctor WhoIda Scott2 episodes: "The Impossible Planet", and "The Satan Pit"AfterlifeJenniferEpisode: "Things Forgotten"2007Inspector George GentlyValerie ListerEpisode: "Gently Go Man"Double TimeSarahTV film2008Ashes to AshesTrixie WalshEpisode: "#1.3"Mutual FriendsLeigh CatoMain role, 6 episodes2009New TricksPamela ScottEpisode: "Death of a Timeshare Salesman"EnidDorothy RichardsTV filmCollisionKaren DonnellyTV miniseries, 4 episodes2009–2013WhitechapelDr. Caroline LlewellynRecurring role, 16 episodes2010Lizzie and SarahFionaTV filmAgatha Christie's MarpleCarolineEpisode: "The Blue Geranium"2011MegTV miniseries, 6 episodesGreat ExpectationsMrs. JoeTV miniseries, 2 episodes: "#1.1", "#1.2"2012MurderEllen LowellTV miniseries, episode: "Joint Enterprise"Mrs BiggsRuby Wright2 episodes: "#1.2", "#1.3"2013Mrs. TimperleyTV miniseries, 4 episodes2013–2015My Mad Fat DiaryLinda Earl-Bouchtat (Rae's Mum)Main role, 16 episodes2015–2016Home FiresPat SimmsMain role, 12 episodes2017GeniusPauline EinsteinRecurring role, 4 episodesBlack MirrorPolice DetectiveEpisode: "Crocodile"Death in ParadiseRachel BaldwinEpisode: "Man Overboard: Part 1"2018RequiemRose MorganMain role, 6 episodesKiriJulie BurnettRecurring role, 3 episodesNo OffenceDCI Marilyn MarchantMain role, Series 3, 6 episodesThe SplitEmma GrahamEpisode: "1.4"2019Don't Forget the DriverFranTV miniseries, main role, 6 episodesTempleGloria WilsonMain role, 5 episodes2022Magpie MurdersKatie Williams5 episodes2022-SherwoodCathy RowleyMain role2023Inside No. 9VickyEpisode 4: "Love is a Stranger"WildernessCarylRecurring role, 6 episodes 2024 Moonflower Murders Katie Williams Post-production A Very Royal Scandal Sarah, Duchess of York 3 episodes RivalsMonica, Lady BaddinghamRecurring role, 8 episodes

Radio Date Title Role Director Station The Sound of Solitary Waves BBC – Afternoon Play – The Sound of Solitary Waves Libby Claire Grove BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play Time Breathes BBC – Afternoon Play – Time Breathes Gemma Claire Grove BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play Love Contract BBC – Afternoon Play – Love Contract Emma Claire Grove BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play – Matilda BBC – Classic Serial – Matilda Mrs. Wormwood Claire Grove BBC Radio 4 Classic Serial – Home Front BBC – Home Front Florrie Wilson Lucy Collingwood BBC Radio 4

Personal life She and her husband have been married since 2003 and have two children.

References

External links