Sharon Small Bio
Sharon Small is a Scottish actress known for her work across film, radio, theatre and television. Perhaps best known for portraying Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in the BBC adaptation of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries by Elizabeth George, she has also starred in Mistresses as Trudi Malloy, London Kills as DS Vivienne Cole and Trust Me as Dr Brigitte Rayne. She was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance in the 2022 revival of Good. Her career spans stage, radio and screen, with many acclaimed performances in British television.
Early Life and Background
Sharon Small is the eldest of five children. She was educated at Kinghorn Primary School in Fife, where she served as the Kinghorn Gala Queen in her final year, and then attended Balwearie High School in Kirkcaldy. She studied drama at Kirkcaldy College of Technology, now known as Fife College, before continuing her training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, from which she graduated in 1989.
Her upbringing in Fife provided an early foundation in the performing arts, and her progression from a local primary school to one of London’s most respected theatre training institutions reflects a steady commitment to her craft. The combination of Scottish community roots and formal theatrical education shaped a versatile performer comfortable across mediums.
Path to Actress
Small graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 1989 and began working professionally in 1994, launching a career that would span stage, radio, television and film. She built her early repertoire through theatre work, establishing herself as a reliable and expressive stage presence before transitioning into screen roles. Her dedication to the craft and her range across different media allowed her to develop a diverse portfolio of performances throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Sharon Small Career
Early Career (1994–2000)
Sharon Small began her professional acting career in 1994, building a solid foundation through stage and early screen work. She established herself as a presence in British theatre before gaining wider recognition on television, taking on a variety of roles that demonstrated her versatility across genres.
Breakthrough (2001–Present)
Small gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in the BBC television adaptation of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries by Elizabeth George. The role became one of her most identifiable performances, running across multiple series and earning her a loyal audience. She followed this with a lead role as Trudi Malloy in the ITV drama Mistresses, a show that explored the lives of four women and ran for several seasons. She then took on the role of DS Vivienne Cole in the BBC crime drama London Kills, further cementing her standing in British television drama. Her performance as Dr Brigitte Rayne in the BBC medical drama Trust Me demonstrated her ability to move between genres, from crime procedurals to medical dramas.
On stage, Small has delivered many acclaimed performances across prominent London and regional productions. She earned an Olivier Award nomination for her performance in the 2022 revival of Good at the National Theatre, reaffirming her standing as a significant stage actor. Her radio work further illustrates the breadth of her career across British media.
Notable Works and Milestones
Across her career, Sharon Small has become one of the most recognizable faces in British television drama, with signature roles in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Mistresses, London Kills and Trust Me. Her Olivier Award nomination for the 2022 revival of Good highlighted her continued excellence on the stage. With a body of work spanning from 1994 to the present, she has established herself as a reliable and accomplished performer across screen, stage and radio.
Sharon Small Award Nominations
Sharon Small has received recognition for her performances across stage and screen. She was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance in the 2022 revival of Good, a notable acknowledgment from the British theatre industry’s most prestigious award body.
Sharon Small Awards Won
Verified wins are not currently documented in available sources. Sharon Small’s Olivier Award nomination for the 2022 revival of Good is her most prominently recognized accolade.
Sharon Small Family
Sharon Small is the eldest of five children. She married Dan Bridge, a photographer, and the couple lives in London. They have two sons together.
Personal Life
Sharon Small lives in London with her husband, photographer Dan Bridge. The couple has two sons. Outside of her professional commitments, she maintains a relatively private personal life focused on her family.