Lorraine Ashbourne
Acting
Lorraine Ashbourne (born 1961 in Manchester) is an English stage, film and television actress. She attended Wilbraham High School, when living in Fallowfield. She joined Stretford Children's Theatre. She took part in the University of Manchester Stage Society and Manchester Youth Theatre. She joined the Webber Drama School on 19 April 1982. Ashbourne has appeared on British series and television films, including: Playing the Field (1998), Unforgotten (2017), Grantchester (2017), Maigret in Montmartre (2017), Midsomer Murders (2018), The Street, and Jericho. As a stage actor, Lorraine regularly appeared at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, portraying roles such as Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer and Emilia in Othello, acting in both of these alongside her husband Andy Serkis. In 2019, she starred as Barbara Castle in The Crown (2019), and from 2020, she starred as Mrs. Varley in Bridgerton. She played Joan Nuthall in Alma's Not Normal (2020), and was Daphne Sparrow in Sherwood (2022). She played Karen in I Hate Suzie (2024), and appeared in After the Flood (2024)
Known for
Acting73
tvRiot Women
2025
Jess
movieHitpig!
2024
Big Bertha (voice)
tvAfter the Flood
2024
Molly Marshall
movieAllelujah
2023
Mrs Earnshaw
tvSherwood
2022
Daphne Sparrow
tvBridgerton
2020
Mrs. Varley
movieA Christmas Carol
2020
Mrs Cratchit (voice)
tvI Hate Suzie
2020
Karen
tvCheat
2019
Angela Shadley
movieThe Queen and I
2018
Violet
movieBreathe
2017
First Woman
movieA Street Cat Named Bob
2016
Local Housing Officer
tvThe Crown
2016
Barbara Castle
tvJericho
2016
Lace Polly
tvLondon Spy
2015
Mrs. Turner
tvUnforgotten
2015
DI Tessa Nixon
tvThe Interceptor
2015
Valerie
tvInside No. 9
2014
Carol
tvPublic Enemies
2012
Marion Sharmer
tvVera
2011
Barbara Tullman
tvLittle Crackers
2010
Miss Meadowcroft
movieThorne: Scaredycat
2010
Ruth Brigstocke
tvThorne
2010
Ruth Brigstocke
tvMurderland
2009
Rachel
tvMoving On
2009
Treena
movieA Bunch of Amateurs
2008
Jane Jarvis
tvTrue Dare Kiss
2007
Beth Sweeney
tvJane Eyre
2006
Mrs. Fairfax
movieKing Kong
2005
Theatre Actor
tvNew Tricks
2004
Moira Wright
movieA Christmas Carol
2000
Sue Cratchett
tvPlaying the Field
1998
Geraldine Powell
movieFever Pitch
1997
Paul's Mum
tvMidsomer Murders
1997
Daniella Bellini
tvSilent Witness
1996
Michelle Lafferty
movieJack & Sarah
1995
Jackie
Number Six
1995
Susan Taylor
tvChiller
1995
Susan Taylor
tvPie in the Sky
1994
Maeve Cormack
tvPeak Practice
1993
Tina Greaves
tvIn Suspicious Circumstances
1991
Ann Bailey
movieResurrected
1989
Reeva
movieThe Dressmaker
1988
Factory Girl
tvRafferty's Rules
1987
Woman No. 1
tvCasualty
1986
Sandy
movieTwenty
Dianna