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Sarah Lancashire

Sarah Lancashire

Actor · Born October 10, 1964 (62) · Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK

Sarah Lancashire is an English actress whose career began in 1986. Lancashire's first acting roles were in local theatre, with small guest roles in television dramas and sitcoms. After coming to public attention with roles in popular programmes including Coronation Street (1991-1996, 2000), Where the Heart Is (1997–1999) and Clocking Off (2000), Lancashire signed a two-year golden handcuffs contract with the ITV network, appearing exclusively in ITV1 programming for the next two years. Lancashire has continued to work extensively across a variety of television drama genres, including guest appearances, regular roles in returning series and with featured roles in standalone miniseries' and television films. Her more prolific work includes the drama series' Lark Rise to Candleford (2008-2011), Last Tango in Halifax (2012-2020) and Happy Valley (2014, 2016, 2023). Lancashire has appeared in the feature films And When Did You Last See Your Father? and Dad's Army and has returned to West End Theatre several times since her 1990 stint in Blood Brothers. Her combined acting credits have earned Lancashire a number of awards and nominations over a career spanning four decades and a prominent status within the British Television Industry of the 21st century. Lancashire was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to drama.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 10, 1964 (62)
From
Oldham, Lancashire, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
26 on MovieCove · 56 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 26% in 30 days

What are Sarah Lancashire's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
33%
Self
18%
Society
16%
Morality
11%
Power
8%
Ideas
8%
Survival
7%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAging2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 3 · Serious 1 · Dark 2

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 3 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 0 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 4 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 3 · Affecting 1 · Heavy 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 4 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 6 of 12 analyzed roles.

Hero
6 of 12
Mentor
4 of 12
Ally
2 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Melancholic
9
Warm
7
Hopeful
8
Contemplative
5
Other
12

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet13
  • Ambiguous1
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Sarah Lancashire's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 26 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (7).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Sarah Lancashire's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

56 credits, 26 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Black Doves(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mrs. Reed

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Julia(2022)

    Show 16 episodes · as Julia Child

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Everybody's Talking About Jamie(2021)

    as Margaret New

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Alan Bennett's Talking Heads(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Gwen

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Accident(2019)

    Show 4 episodes · as Polly Bevan

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Yesterday(2019)

    as Liz (Liverpool Stranger)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • MotherFatherSon(2019)

    Show 8 episodes · as Angela Howard

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Christmas at St Paul's (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • National Treasure: Kiri(2018)

    Show 4 episodes · as Miriam Grayson

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • School of Roars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 52 episodes · as Mrs. Twirlyhorn

  • Dad's Army(2016)

    as Mrs. Pike

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Dresser(2015)

    as Madge

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The First Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Lizze Le Prince (voice)

  • Fair Cop: A Century of British Policewomen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Narrator

  • Happy Valley(2014)

    Show 18 episodes · as Catherine Cawood

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Last Tango in Halifax(2012)

    Show 24 episodes · as Caroline

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Paradise(2012)

    Show 8 episodes · as Miss Audrey

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Upstairs Downstairs(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Miss Whisset

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Five Daughters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 3 episodes · as Rosemary Nicholls

  • Wuthering Heights(2009)

    Show 2 episodes · as Nelly Dean

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • All the Small Things (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · as Esther Caddick

  • Inspector George Gently(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Mallory Brown

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Lark Rise to Candleford(2008)

    Show 40 episodes · as Adult Laura

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Oliver Twist(2007)

    Show 5 episodes · as Mrs Corney

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • When Did You Last See Your Father?(2007)

    as Beaty

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Sex, the City and Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Ruth Gilbert

  • Skins(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Mary

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Angel Cake(2006)

    as Elaine Wilson

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Angel Cake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Elaine Wilson

  • Doctor Who(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Miss Foster

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Cherished (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Angela Cannings

  • The Rotters' Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Barbara Chase

  • The Afternoon Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Sons & Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Gertrude Morel

  • Birthday Girl(2002)

    as Rachel Jones

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Rose and Maloney(2002)

    Show 11 episodes · as Rose Linden

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Cry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 4 episodes · as Meg Bartlett

  • Back Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Peggy Dickinson

  • The Glass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 6 episodes · as Carol Parker

  • Gentlemen's Relish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Violtet Askey

  • My Fragile Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Trina Lavery

  • Chambers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ruth Quirke

  • Seeing Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Coral Atkins

  • Clocking Off (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 6 episodes · as Yvonne Kolakowski

  • Verdict (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Anne Cloves QC

  • Bloomin' Marvellous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 8 episodes · as Liz Deakin

  • Where the Heart Is (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 30 episodes · as Ruth Goddard

  • Coronation Street - The Feature Length Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Raquel Watts

  • Exam Conditions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Secretary

  • Murder Most Horrid(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Karen Sullivan

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • About Face (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Rebecca

  • Bradley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Wendy

  • Watching (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Ms. Linden

  • The Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Girl on Train

  • Dramarama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Janice Dobbs

  • Coronation Street(1960)

    Show 209 episodes · as Raquel Watts · as Raquel Wolstenhulme / Raquel Watts

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 56 titles from 1960 to 2024; peak year 2020.

Biggest box office

Dad's Army (2016)

$13M worldwide

Highest rated

Happy Valley (2014)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Black Doves (2024)

Film career

19602024

Peak 2020 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 6 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting55 of 56: 55 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rdDirecting1 of 56: 1 only directing, 0 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1980s5 · acting1990s6 · acting2000s25 · 24 acting · 1 crew2010s15 · acting2020s4 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 5 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Sarah Lancashire's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 71st percentile, the median of all 7; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 26 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 26 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Crowd Pleaser12
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Coronation Street (1960)

87th percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Happy Valley (2014)

Midcredits 98th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 84, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Sarah Lancashire's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 70 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles24–55 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles17–72 · median 50 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 43 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 47 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Sarah Lancashire work with?

People who share at least 2 of Sarah Lancashire's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Marc Jobst shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles