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Last updated on the 31 May 2025 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: 25 June 1981, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.
Sheridan Smith displayed an early passion for performance. Her parents, Colin and Marilyn Smith, were a country and western duo known as The Daltons, and Sheridan began dancing at age four and singing with them by seven. She sharpened her skills at the Joyce Mason School of Dancing and was a member of the National Youth Music Theatre from 1995 to 2001, where she undertook understudy roles in productions like “Bugsy Malone” and “Into the Woods”. Although she didn’t attend traditional drama school, her comprehensive education included South Axholme Comprehensive School and John Leggott College.
Sheridan Smith’s television career began with minor roles in the late 1990s, including appearances in “Wives and Daughters” and “The Royle Family”. She gained significant recognition for her role as Janet Keogh in the sitcom “Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps” (2001-2009) and as Rudi in “Gavin & Stacey” (2008-2010). Her dramatic performances brought critical acclaim, notably as Charmian Biggs in “Mrs Biggs” (2012), for which she won a BAFTA TV Award, and in the titular role of “Cilla” (2014), portraying Cilla Black.
Her film credits include “Hysteria” (2011), “Quartet” (2012), “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” (2016), and “The Railway Children Return” (2022). She also boasts a successful stage career, earning Olivier Awards for her roles in “Legally Blonde” and “Flare Path”.
In her personal life, Sheridan Smith has been open about various aspects. She has a son, Billy, born in May 2020, with her former partner Jamie Horn. The couple, who met on a dating app, were engaged before separating in 2021. Sheridan Smith has spoken about her experiences with anxiety and also shared that she was diagnosed with ADHD in her early 40s. She has often expressed gratitude for the public’s support, particularly after the passing of her father in 2016.
WINNER | Television: Leading actress for Mrs Biggs (2013)
Suggested viewing
Mrs Biggs (2012)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.6
This true story chronicles the life of a young woman who falls in love with a charming rogue, ultimately becoming the wife of a notorious train robber. Following his infamous crime and escape from prison, she is forced to live a life on the run with their children, facing hardship and sacrifice while constantly evading capture across continents.
Top cast: Sheridan Smith, Daniel Mays, Caroline Goodall, Adrian Scarborough, Tom Brooke, Jack Lowden, Claire Rushbrook, Leo Gregory.
Cilla (2014)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.9
This mini-series chronicles the vibrant early career of a working-class Liverpudlian typist who dreams of stardom. It follows her journey through the bustling 1960s music scene, from humble club performances to securing a record deal, charting her rise to become a beloved national icon.
Top cast: Sheridan Smith, Aneurin Barnard, Kent Riley, Debbie Brannan, Andrew Schofield, Melanie Hill, John Henshaw, Ed Stoppard.
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (2001)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 7.1
This sitcom follows a group of twenty-something friends in Runcorn as they negotiate relationships, work and general life. Their main pursuits involve drinking, dating and dealing with the everyday absurdities of young adulthood in a comedic, often crude, manner.
Top cast: Will Mellor, Natalie Casey, Sheridan Smith, Kathryn Drysdale, Ralf Little, Luke Gell, Hayley Bishop, Lee Oakes.
Four Lives (2022)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4
This miniseries chronicles the true story of four young gay men tragically murdered by a serial killer in East London. It focuses on the tireless fight of the victims’ families and friends for justice, highlighting the significant police failings and institutional indifference that hampered the investigation.
Top cast: Sheridan Smith, Stephen Merchant, Leanne Best, Michael Jibson, Robert Emms, Kris Hitchen, Samuel Barnett, Ben Cartwright, Memet Ali Alabora.
The C Word (2015)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.5
Based on a true story, this drama follows a young woman’s journey after a devastating cancer diagnosis. Faced with an uncertain future, she begins writing a candid and humorous blog about her experiences, finding solace and connection with others. The series portrays her courageous fight against the illness, her deep relationships and the impact of her honest perspective.
Top cast: Sheridan Smith, Paul Nicholls, Stephanie Vogt, Tom Hutch, Marcus Griffiths, Rebekah Staton, Susannah Fielding, Jamie Baughan.
