Last updated on the 21 August 2024 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 18 September 1967, Cuckfield, Sussex, England.

Tara Fitzgerald’s upbringing was a whirlwind – the daughter of an Irish photographer mother and an English artist father, she spent part of her childhood in the Bahamas before returning to England at a young age. Following the separation of her parents and the subsequent passing of her father when she was just 11, Fitzgerald found solace in the world of make-believe.

Fuelled by this passion, Fitzgerald enrolled at the prestigious Drama Centre London. While working as a waitress to make ends meet, she landed a chance encounter that would launch her career. A theatrical agent spotted her in an amateur production and secured her an audition for the offbeat comedy “Hear My Song” (1991). This debut film became her springboard, showcasing her natural charisma and emotional depth.

Tara Fitzgerald quickly transitioned between stage and screen. She earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Ophelia in a New York production of “Hamlet”, winning the prestigious Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (1995). Her versatility shone through in television projects like the BBC’s “The Camomile Lawn” (1992) and the heartwarming “Brassed Off” (1996). 

Tara Fitzgerald wasn’t afraid to take on comedic roles as well. Her portrayal of the alluring American student in “The Student Prince” (1997) showcased her lighter side, while her tongue-in-cheek performance in the bodice-ripper parody “Frenchman’s Creek” (1998) further solidified her range. As the years progressed, her roles matured alongside her. She transitioned from playing romantic leads to portraying complex mothers, as seen in “Five Children and It” (2004).

In 2001, she married fellow actor John Sharian, though their union was short-lived, ending in divorce two years later.

Suggested viewing

Brassed Off (1996)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.2

A struggling mining town faces closure of their pit, jeopardising not only their jobs but also their beloved colliery brass band. As tensions rise and the future seems bleak, a chance encounter with a former local rekindles hope and ignites a fight for their community’s heart and soul, all building towards a climactic competition at a prestigious national stage.

Top cast: Pete Postlethwaite, Tara Fitzgerald, Ewan McGregor, Stephen Tompkinson, Jim Carter, Philip Jackson, Peter Martin, Sue Johnston, Mary Healey.

The Camomile Lawn (1992)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.5

Spanning decades, the story follows five cousins whose lives intertwine at their Cornish family estate. As war disrupts their idyllic world, love blossoms and fades, leaving a trail of secrets and regrets. In the aftermath, they reunite, forced to confront the past and the choices that shaped their destinies.

Top cast: Felicity Kendal, Claire Bloom, Paul Eddington, Jennifer Ehle, Tara Fitzgerald, Rosemary Harris, Rebecca Hall, Toby Stephens.

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1996)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.3

“The Tenant of Wildfell Hall” is a three-part British television series based on the novel of the same name by Anne Bronte. The story follows a young widow, Helen Graham, who moves to a remote mansion called Wildfell Hall with her son to escape a troubled past. However, her arrival in the community sparks gossip and speculation, particularly when she rebuffs the advances of a wealthy landowner. As her secrets are gradually revealed, Helen’s past threatens to catch up with her, putting her safety and reputation in jeopardy.

Top cast: Toby Stephens, Tara Fitzgerald, Rupert Graves, Sarah Badel, Jackson Leach, Joe Absolom, Kenneth Cranham, Beatie Edney.

The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But
Came Down a Mountain (1995)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.6

In 1917, two English cartographers arrive in a small Welsh village to measure its “mountain”. However, to their dismay, they discover that it is only 930 feet tall, not tall enough to be classified as a mountain. The offended villagers, determined to keep their pride intact, devise a plan to add 70 feet to the mountain’s height before the cartographers return.

Top cast: Hugh Grant, Tara Fitzgerald, Colm Meaney, Ian McNeice, Ian Hart, Kenneth Griffith, Tudor Vaughan, Robert Pugh.

Waking the Dead (2000)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.9

“Waking the Dead” revolves around a London based cold case unit composed of CID police officers, a psychological profiler and a forensic scientist. The team investigates unsolved murders using modern technology, focusing on cases that occurred years ago and were never resolved.

Top cast: Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston, Wil Johnson, Tara Fitzgerald, Felicite du Jeu, Esther Hall, Holly Aird, Claire Goose.

Tara Fitzgerald full filmography @ Wikipedia