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Ruth Sheen

Ruth Sheen

Actor · Born January 1, 1952 (74) · London, England, UK

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 1, 1952 (74)
From
London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
42 on MovieCove · 74 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 42% in 30 days

What are Ruth Sheen's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 91st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
27%
Self
23%
Morality
21%
Survival
10%
Society
8%
Power
6%
Ideas
5%
Romantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 4 · Dark 7

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 13 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 11 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 13 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 2

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 14 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 9 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 5 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 7

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 4 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
10
Warm
9
Tense
7
Contemplative
5
Bittersweet
6
Other
16

How their films linger

Bittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Ruth Sheen's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 42 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ruth Sheen's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

74 credits, 42 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Thursday Murder Club(2025)

    as Aunt Maud

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Touch(2024)

    as Mrs. Ellis

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The After(2023)

    as Tabatha

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Hijack(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Elaine Atterton

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Sweetly It Turns(2026)

    as Joy

  • Cyrano(2021)

    as Mother Marthe

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Nevers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Beechum

  • It's a Sin(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Sandra

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Gangs of London(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Deborah Devereux

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Brassic(2019)

    Show 6 episodes · as Kath

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • VS. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Fiona

  • The Woman in White(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs Clements

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • C.B. Strike(2017)

    Show 9 episodes · as Pat Chauncey

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Prime Suspect: Tennison(2017)

    Show 6 episodes · as Renee Bentley

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • A Street Cat Named Bob(2016)

    as Elsie

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • SuperBob(2015)

    as Pat

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Unforgotten(2015)

    Show 6 episodes · as Lizzie Wilton

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • A Royal Night Out(2015)

    as Jack's Mum

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Trial of Elizabeth Gadge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Elizabeth Gadge

  • Mr. Turner(2014)

    as Sarah Danby

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Inside No. 9(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Elizabeth Gadge

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Welcome to the Punch(2013)

    as Iris Warns

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Mimic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 4 episodes · as Mrs Hurdle

  • Accused (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Mo's Mum

  • Another Year(2010)

    as Gerri

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Hardest Part (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Bus Lady

  • Heartless (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Marion Morgan

  • Misfits(2009)

    Show 5 episodes · as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Brave Young Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Stephanie Malloy

  • Fanny Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Mrs. Jones

  • Fanny Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mrs Jones

  • Run Fatboy Run(2007)

    as Claudine

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • A Class Apart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Ruth - Candy's mum

  • A Class Apart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Ruth

  • Hush Your Mouth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Mrs Collins

  • Vital Signs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 4 episodes · as Val

  • Imagine Me & You(2005)

    as Mrs Webster

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The English Harem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Emily

  • Footprints in the Snow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Lady Victualler

  • Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Aunt Winnie

  • Vera Drake(2004)

    as Lily

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Vanity Fair(2004)

    as Miss Pinkerton

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Cheeky(2003)

    as Tamara

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • All or Nothing(2002)

    as Maureen

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Plain Jane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as May

  • Lorna Doone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Betty Muxworthy

  • Lorna Doone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Betty Muxworthy

  • Never Never (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sandra

  • Bait (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Cafe Woman

  • Don Quixote(2000)

    as 1st Wench / Young Lady

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Virtual Sexuality(1999)

    as Jackie Lovett

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Berkeley Square (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 10 episodes · as Nanny Simmons

  • The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Harris

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Valerie Horton

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Different for Girls(1996)

    as Nosy neighbour

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Secrets & Lies(1996)

    as Laughing Woman

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Silent Witness(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Bramwell(1995)

    Show 27 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • The Young Poisoner's Handbook(1995)

    as Molly

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Sin Bin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Viv Hastings

  • Cracker(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Jean McIIvanney · as Jean McIlvanney

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • When Pigs Fly(1993)

    as Marge

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Peak Practice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Pauline Wadham

  • Ghostwatch(1992)

    as Emma Stableford (voice)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • A Fatal Inversion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Forensic Scientist

  • Clubland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Karen

  • Night Voice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Helen Baldwin

  • High Hopes(1988)

    as Shirley

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Angry Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Nurse Berry

  • Little Dorrit(1987)

    as Society Lady

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara George

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • ScreenPlay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Karen

  • Screen Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Viv Hastings

  • The Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 74 titles from 1984 to 2025; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

Run Fatboy Run (2007)

$33M worldwide

Highest rated

Vera Drake (2004)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

C.B. Strike (2017)

Film career

19842025

Peak 2015 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1984Screen debut· The Bill
  • 1989First film· High Hopes
  • 2010Career best· Another Year
  • 2019Career best· Brassic

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting74 of 74: 74 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score81st

By decade

1980s7 · acting1990s17 · acting2000s23 · acting2010s18 · acting2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 23 roles
890409

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Ruth Sheen's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 76th percentile, the median of the 25 of 26 with a score; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 77th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

70thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

83rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 41 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up25
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 41 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · actor

Cheeky (2003)

73rd percentile spread · 24% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Secrets & Lies (1996)

Midcredits 98th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 54. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Ruth Sheen's work okay for kids?

Across up to 11 MovieCove titles with content scores, 4 of the 5 categories sit near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore9 titles23–66 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity11 titles15–52 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles15–81 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 27 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles18–71 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Ruth Sheen work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ruth Sheen's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mike Leigh shares the most, 5.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers