Marsha Thomason

Last updated on the 29 May 2025 by Evandrus

Mini Biography

Born: 19 January 1976, Moston, Manchester, England. 

Marsha Thomason’s formative years were spent in her hometown, where she attended Holy Trinity Primary School and subsequently North Manchester High School for Girls. From a young age, Thomason displayed a keen interest in the performing arts, a passion reportedly ignited by the film “Bugsy Malone”.

This early inclination led her to join the Oldham Theatre Workshop at the age of 13, an experience that provided a foundation in acting through various youth theatre productions. She furthered her education at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Her time at university was not solely academic; she actively pursued acting opportunities, which proved instrumental in launching her professional career.

Marsha Thomason’s acting journey began in British television with appearances in series such as “Pie in the Sky” in 1997, followed by roles in “Playing the Field” and “Where the Heart Is” between 1998 and 1999. Her professional path soon broadened, leading her to opportunities within the American entertainment industry. A notable early film role was Sara Evers in Disney’s “The Haunted Mansion” (2003), where she starred alongside Eddie Murphy.

On the small screen, she became widely recognised as Nessa Holt in the initial two seasons of the NBC drama “Las Vegas” (2003-2005). Thomason also played the significant recurring character of Naomi Dorrit in the critically acclaimed ABC series “Lost” from 2007 to 2010. Another prominent role came as FBI agent Diana Berrigan in the USA Network series “White Collar”, a character she portrayed from 2009 to 2014. More recently, she has taken on the central role of DS Jenn Townsend in the British crime drama “The Bay”, commencing in 2022.

In her personal life, Marsha Thomason tied the knot with lighting technician Craig Sykes in April 2009 during a ceremony in Malibu, California. The couple welcomed their daughter, Tallulah Anaïs Sykes, in June 2013. Thomason maintains residences in both London and Los Angeles, balancing her professional commitments with her family life. She solidified her connection to the United States by becoming an American citizen in 2012.

Suggested viewing

The Bay (2019)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.2

Traumatised by a recent tragedy, DS Jenn Townsend arrives in the picturesque seaside town of Morecambe, eager to escape her troubled past. However, her peaceful new life is shattered when a young boxer is found dead, and she is tasked with unravelling the mystery that lies beneath the tranquil façade of the town.

Top cast: Marsha Thomason (S3-5), Morven Christie (S1-2), Daniel Ryan, Erin Shanagher, Thomas Law, Andrew Dowbiggin, Joe Armstrong.

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)