Sharon Small


Sharon Small is a Scottish actress known for her work in film, radio, theatre, and television. Perhaps best known for her portrayal of Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in the BBC television adaptation of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries by Elizabeth George, she is also recognised for her lead roles in Law & Order: UK and Trust Me. She was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance in a 2022 revival of Good.

Early life

Small is the eldest of five children. She was educated at Kinghorn Primary School in Fife, where she was the Kinghorn Gala Queen in her final year, and at Balwearie High School in Kirkcaldy. Small then studied drama at Kirkcaldy College of Technology, and continued her study at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London.

Personal life

Small lives in London. She has two sons with her husband, photographer Dan Bridge.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleProductionAwards
1994TaggartMichelle GibsonSMG Productions1 episode
1994RoughnecksBernadette–1 episode
1995An Independent ManNicola–1 episode
1996Doctor FinlayIrene Gallagher–1 episode
1997The BillGina NashITV–
1997Hamish MacbethWPC Anne Patterson–1 episode
1997No Child of MineLindaITV–
1999–2000SunburnCarol Simpson–14 episodes
2000Glasgow KissCara Rossi–6 episodes
2003Cutting ItBoo Wiberley––
2001–2007The Inspector Lynley MysteriesDS Barbara HaversBBC24 episodes – nominated for Most Popular Actress and the Golden Satellite Award
2005A Midsummer Night's DreamTitaniaBBC's Shakespeare Retold season–
2006RebusMiranda Masterson––
2007Nina and the NeuronsBud the Taste Neuron–7 episodes
2009MurderlandDr Laura MaitlandITV3 episodes
2008–2010MistressesTrudi MalloyBBC16 episodes
2010Agatha Christie's MarpleMary PritchardITV adaptation of "Miss Marple: The Blue Geranium", aired in the US on PBS–
2011Downton AbbeyMarigold Shore–1 episode
2012Kidnap and RansomBeth CooperITV3 episodes
2012New TricksMinnie/Annabel TilsonBBC1 episode
2013Silent WitnessGeraldine BriggsBBC2 episodes
2013Call the MidwifeNora HardingBBC1 episode
2014Death in ParadiseDorothy FosterBBC1 episode
2014Midsomer MurdersRuth CameronITV “Wild Harvest”1 episode
2014Law & Order: UKInspector Elisabeth FlynnITV1 episode
2015StonemouthConnie MurstonBBC2 episodes
2017Born to KillCathy World Productions4 episodes
2017Trust MeDr Brigitte RayneBBC4 episodes
2019–London KillsDS Vivienne ColeAcorn TVMain role, 4 series, 20 episodes
2020Flesh and BloodStellaITV4 episodes
2021The BayRose MarshbrookITV16 Episodes
2024NightsleeperLiz DraycottBBC6 Episodes

TitleRole
At The Foot of the CrossNarrator
High Table, Lower OrdersZoe
"Dr. Finlay – The Adventures of a Black Bag"Nurse Angus
AngelLorraine
The Order of ReleaseEffie Ruskin

Stage

Awards and honours