Sarah Lancashire is an English actress whose career began in 1986. Lancashire's first acting roles were in local theatre, with small guest roles in television dramas and sitcoms. After coming to public attention with roles in programmes such as Coronation Street, (1987, 1991–1996, 2000) Where the Heart Is (1997–1999) and Clocking Off (2000), Lancashire signed a two-year golden handcuffs contract with the ITV network, appearing exclusively in ITV1 programming for the next two years. Lancashire has continued to work extensively across a variety of television drama genres, including guest appearances, regular roles in returning series and with featured roles in standalone miniseries' and television films. Her more prolific work includes the drama series' Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011), Last Tango in Halifax (2012–2020) and Happy Valley (2014–2016, 2023).
Lancashire has appeared in the feature films And When Did You Last See Your Father? and Dad's Army and has returned to West End Theatre several times since her 1990 stint in Blood Brothers. Her combined acting credits have earned Lancashire a number of awards and nominations over a career spanning four decades and a prominent status within the British Television Industry of the 21st century. Lancashire was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to drama.
Television Acting Year Title Role Notes 1987 Coronation Street Wendy Farmer 1 episode 1988 Dramarama Janice Dobbs Series 6; Episode 1: "Forever Young" 1989 Bradley Wendy Episode 1 Watching Ms. Linden Series 4; Episode 1: "Joking" 1991 About Face Rebecca Series 2; Episode 5: "Monkey Business" The Bill Girl on Train Series 7; Episode 105: "Breakout" 1991–1996, 2000 Coronation Street Raquel Watts 532 episodes 1992 Exam Conditions Secretary Television film 1997 Bloomin' Marvellous Liz Deakin Episodes 1–8 1997–1999 Where the Heart is Ruth Goddard Series 1–3 (30 episodes) 1998 Verdict Anne Cloves QC Episode 1: "Split Second" 1999 Murder Most Horrid Karen Sullivan Series 4; Episode 2: "Going Solo" 2000 Clocking Off Yvonne Kolakowski Series 1; Episodes 1–6 Seeing Red Coral Atkins Television film Chambers Ruth Quirke Series 1; Episodes 1–6 My Fragile Heart Trina Lavery 2-part miniseries 2001 Gentlemen's Relish Violet Askey Television film The Glass Carol Parker Miniseries; Episodes 1–6 Back Home Peggy Dickinson Television film 2002 The Cry Meg Bartlett Miniseries; Episodes 1–4 Birthday Girl Rachel Jones Television film 2002–2005 Rose and Maloney Rose Linden Series 1–3 (11 episodes) 2003 Sons & Lovers Gertrude Morel Miniseries; Episodes 1–4 2005 The Rotters' Club Barbara Chase Miniseries; Episodes 1–3 Cherished Angela Cannings Television film 2006 Angel Cake Elaine Wilson Television film 2007 Skins Mary Miles Series 1; Episode 4: "Chris" Sex, The City and Me Ruth Gilbert Television film Oliver Twist Mrs. Corney Miniseries; Episodes 1–5 2008 Doctor Who Miss Foster Series 4; Episode 1: "Partners in Crime" 2008–2011 Lark Rise to Candleford Adult Laura Timmins (voice) Series 1–4 (40 episodes) 2009 All the Small Things Esther Caddick Episodes 1–6 Wuthering Heights Nelly Dean 2-part miniseries 2010 Five Daughters Rosemary Nicholls Miniseries; Episodes 1–3 Inspector George Gently Mallory Brown Series 3; Episode 2: "Peace & Love" 2012 Upstairs Downstairs Miss Whisset Series 2; Episodes 5 & 6 2012–2013 The Paradise Miss Audrey Series 1 & 2 (10 episodes) 2012–2020 Last Tango in Halifax Caroline Dawson Series 1–5 (24 episodes) 2014, 2016, 2023 Happy Valley Sgt. Catherine Cawood Series 1–3 series (18 episodes) 2015 The Dresser Madge Television film 2017 School of Roars Mrs. Twirlyhorn (voice) CBeebies animation. Series 1 (18 episodes) 2018 Kiri Miriam Grayson Channel 4 miniseries; Episodes 1–4 2019 MotherFatherSon Angela Howard Main role. Miniseries; 6 episodes The Accident Polly Bevan Channel 4 miniseries; Episodes 1–4Laura Martin (24 October 2019) "The Accident cast: who stars with Sarah Lancashire in the Channel 4 drama series, and what time it's on tonight", i (newspaper). Retrieved 27 October 2019. 2020 Talking Heads Gwen Fedder Episode 2: "An Ordinary Woman" 2022–2023 Julia Julia Child Lead role. Series 1 & 2 (16 episodes)Julia Child Drama at HBO Max Sets Cast 2024 Black Doves Reed Main role. 6 episodes
Other Year Series Credit Notes 2004 The Afternoon Play Director Series 2; Episode 4: "Viva Las Blackpool" 2006 Disappearing Britain Presenter Series 1; Episode 1: "Beside the Seaside with Sarah Lancashire" 2023 Happy Valley Executive producer Series 3; Episodes 1–6
Film Year Film Role Notes 2007 And When Did You Last See Your Father? Beaty 2016 Dad's Army Mavis Pike 2019 Yesterday Liz (Liverpool Stranger) 2021 Everybody's Talking About Jamie Margaret New
Theatre credits Year Title Role Venue 1986 Pacific Overtures Unknown Manchester Central Library The Beauty Game Denise 1990 Blood Brothers Linda Albery Theatre, London 1991 Educating Rita Susan "Rita" White Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch 1993 Little Shop of Horrors Audrey Oldham Coliseum Theatre 2005–2006 Guys and Dolls Miss Adelaide Piccadilly Theatre, London 2011 Betty Blue Eyes Joyce Chilvers Novello Theatre, London
References
External links
Sarah Lancashire credits at the Independent Talent Group website