Lesley Sharp Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography

Lesley Sharp built a career across four decades without chasing Hollywood headlines. Instead, she became the kind of performer directors call when a role needs weight, warmth, and authenticity in equal measure.

Born: 3 April 1960 · Birthplace: Manchester, England · Breakthrough Film: The Full Monty (1997) · Key Early Role: Naked (1993) · Notable TV: Scott & Bailey

What is Lesley Sharp famous for?

Lesley Sharp is a British actress who earned recognition across both film and television over nearly four decades. She became widely known for her role as Detective Constable Janet Scott in the ITV crime series Scott & Bailey (2011–2016), a role that ran for 33 episodes and showcased her ability to anchor long-form drama. Her film career includes supporting roles in critically acclaimed British films, most notably The Full Monty (1997), where she played Jean and earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Breakthrough roles

Sharp’s screen debut came in Rita, Sue and Bob Too (1987) as Michelle, but her breakthrough arrived with Naked (1993), directed by Mike Leigh. In that film, she played Louise alongside David Thewlis, establishing herself as a performer capable of intense, emotionally raw work. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Naked holds an 88% approval score, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring audience interest.

Signature performances

The Full Monty (1997) remains her most internationally recognized credit. She played Jean, the ex-wife navigating the chaotic aftermath of a group of unemployed steelworkers forming a male striptease act. The film achieved a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and became a global phenomenon. Sharp reprised the role in The Full Monty miniseries in 2023, demonstrating both the character’s enduring appeal and her continued relevance in British screen work.

What programmes has Lesley Sharp been in?

Lesley Sharp has appeared in dozens of television programmes across ITV, BBC, and Channel 4. Her TV work spans genres from sitcoms to psychological thrillers, though crime drama dominates her most sustained engagements.

Major TV series

• Scott & Bailey (2011–2016) — DC Janet Scott, 33 episodes. Her longest-running lead role and the project most associated with her name.
• Playing the Field (1998–2000) — Theresa Mullen, 20 episodes. A BBC comedy-drama about a women’s football team.
• Clocking Off (2000–2003) — Trudy Graham. An MTV drama anthology where each series featured different storylines.
• Three Girls (2017) — DC Margaret Oliver, 3 episodes. A BBC miniseries about the Rochdale child sexual exploitation scandal.
• Red Eye (2024–) — DG Madeline Delaney. An ITV thriller series.

Guest appearances

• Doctor Who (2008) — Sky Silvestry in the episode “Midnight.” A single-episode guest turn that remains one of the most terrifying entries in the show’s catalogue.
• Poirot (2001) — A role that placed her alongside David Suchet in the long-running ITV adaptation.
• Afterlife (2005–2006) — Alison Mundy, 14 episodes.
• Fate: The Winx Saga (2021) — Rosalind, 3 episodes.

What movies has Lesley Sharp starred in?

Lesley Sharp’s filmography includes more than two dozen features, with a concentration in British social realism, period drama, and psychological thrillers. Her highest-rated work on Rotten Tomatoes spans multiple decades.

Feature films

• The Full Monty (1997) — Jean. 96% RT score.
• Naked (1993) — Louise. 88% RT score.
• Vera Drake (2004) — Jessie Barnes. 93% RT score. Directed by Mike Leigh, this film earned Sharp another opportunity to work in his distinctive naturalistic style.
• Help (2021) — Gaynor. A TV film that achieved a rare 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
• From Hell (2001) — Kate Eddowes. A horror-thriller about the Jack the Ripper murders, co-starring Johnny Depp.
• Great Expectations (1999) — A BBC Television film adaptation.
• Priest (1994) — Mrs. Unsworth.
• Daylight Robbery (1999)
• Catherine Called Birdy (2022) — Morwenna. A medieval comedy starring Lena Headey.
• Pillion (2025) — Peggy. Upcoming release with a 99% RT score.

Key collaborations

Sharp has worked repeatedly with director Mike Leigh (Naked, Vera Drake), a partnership that shaped her naturalistic performance style. She has also appeared in multiple BBC and ITV productions, reflecting her deep integration into the British public broadcasting ecosystem.

What has Lesley Sharp been in recently?

Recent years have seen Sharp maintain an active screen presence, balancing returning series with new projects. Her current portfolio spans ITV thrillers, streaming platform dramas, and upcoming film work.

Latest TV credits

• Red Eye (2024–) — DG Madeline Delaney on ITV. A contemporary thriller series.
• Before We Die (2021–ongoing) — Hannah Laing. A Channel 4 drama that has continued into multiple seasons.
• Three Girls (2017) — Despite the earlier date, this BBC miniseries remains in active rotation and streaming availability.

Recent films

• Pillion (2025) — Peggy. Currently holding a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes, this upcoming project represents potentially her highest-rated theatrical release.
• Bergerac (2026) — Monica. An upcoming project listed in her filmography.

What are some of Lesley Sharp’s best performances?

Determining Sharp’s “best” performances depends on criteria: critical reception, audience recognition, or industry awards. Several roles stand out across each dimension.

Critically acclaimed roles

• DC Janet Scott in Scott & Bailey — Five seasons as the lead detective, demonstrating sustained dramatic capacity over 33 episodes. Wikipedia notes this as her most recognized television role.
• Louise in Naked (1993) — A performance that anchored Mike Leigh’s Cannes-winning social drama.
• Jean in The Full Monty (1997) — The role that brought her BAFTA recognition and international visibility.
• Gaynor in Help (2021) — Currently her highest-rated work at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Fan favorites

According to FilmAffinity, Sharp is “known for” a list of films that prioritizes her roles in The Full Monty, Naked, and Rita, Sue and Bob Too — suggesting these remain the credits most cited by general audiences. Her work in Three Girls also attracts strong engagement given the subject matter’s ongoing cultural relevance.

What emerges from tracing Sharp’s career is a portrait of an actress who consistently prioritized interesting material over career calculation. Her filmography resists easy categorization — not quite art-house, not quite mainstream, not quite comedy, not quite drama. Instead, it reads as a map of a performer who has spent forty years making specific choices about what kinds of stories are worth telling. For viewers seeking British performances with genuine emotional weight, her body of work functions as a reliable shortlist.