---
name: "Lorraine Ashbourne"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/lorraine-ashbourne"
fi1m_id: "lorraine-ashbourne"
imdb_id: "nm0038690"
tmdb_id: 78329
wikidata_id: "Q6681583"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "7 January 1961"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 15
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 15
updated: "2026-10-07T19:31:10.267700+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Lorraine Ashbourne

## Identity

Lorraine Ashbourne

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lorraine-ashbourne
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** lorraine-ashbourne
- **IMDb ID:** nm0038690
- **TMDB ID:** 78329
- **Wikidata ID:** Q6681583
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorraine_Ashbourne, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6681583, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0038690/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/78329

Actor. Born 7 January 1961 in Manchester, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 7 January 1961, Manchester, England, UK
- **Active:** 1988–present
- **Also known as:** لورین اشبورن
- **Frequently works with:** [Sally Wainwright](https://film.one/person/sally-wainwright.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 15 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 90 (1), 2000s 79 (2), 2010s 72 (5), 2020s 73 (7)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 74 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 9 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 12, Comedy 3, Crime 3, Mystery 3, Action 2, Adventure 2
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $584m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorraine_Ashbourne, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6681583, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0038690/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/78329

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Distant Voices, Still Lives*](https://film.one/film/distant-voices-still-lives.md) (90), [*Housewife, 49*](https://film.one/film/housewife-49.md) (77), [*Jericho*](https://film.one/tv/jericho.md) (56)
- **Apple TV:** [*Sherwood*](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md) (82), [*Riot Women*](https://film.one/tv/riot-women.md) (80)
- **AMC+:** [*The Selfish Giant*](https://film.one/film/the-selfish-giant.md) (88)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim*](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-war-of-the-rohirrim.md) (55)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Lorraine Ashbourne

> Lorraine Ashbourne is good at playing women who have too much to manage and little inclination to be polite about it. We value the feeling beneath the bluntness, especially when an ensemble gives her room.

In *Riot Women* (2025), Lorraine Ashbourne’s Jess joins a band of middle-aged women who have had enough of coping. They are allowed to be angry without all becoming equally likeable, and the series benefits from that freedom. We were moved by the women making music together because, after so much pressure to cope, they were giving time to something they wanted. Ashbourne, Tamsin Greig and Amelia Bullmore matter alongside the more conspicuous performances from Joanna Scanlan and Rosalie Craig.

Her sustained television lead in *Playing the Field* (1998), as Geraldine Powell, came well before the higher-profile recurring parts of her later career. Supporting film work, including Mary in *The Selfish Giant* (2013), ran alongside the television. From around 2019, she became more visible through series including *Bridgerton* (2020) and *Sherwood* (2022).

*Alma’s Not Normal* (2020), with Ashbourne as grandmother Joan Nuthall, offers a useful reminder that bluntness is only part of her appeal. She can turn quickly from comedy to emotional hurt within a scene, and make both count. Casting her repeatedly as mothers and women who take charge makes sense, though we would not want those parts to become her only options.

*Riot Women* also shows what helps her work. Sally Wainwright lets the women differ in their anger, rather than making each one a tidy example of the same complaint. The writing occasionally explains what the performances have already made clear, and those explanations slow a drama we otherwise recommend. Ashbourne is part of the reason they feel unnecessary.

There is a useful warning in *Allelujah* (2023), Richard Eyre’s film with Ashbourne as Mrs Earnshaw. Its gentle, well-acted ward comedy is let down by the later writing, and a capable cast cannot put that right. We would not recommend it merely to complete a list of her appearances. Start with *Riot Women*, and forgive the script when it tells you something you have already noticed.

## Biography

Lorraine Ashbourne is an English actress born on 7 January 1961 in Manchester. She attended Wilbraham High School and trained at Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art after earlier involvement with Stretford Children's Theatre, the University of Manchester Stage Society and Manchester Youth Theatre.

She has worked extensively in theatre, including regular appearances at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, and on screen in films such as *King Kong* (2005), *Child 44* (2015) and *Allelujah* (2022), in which she played Mrs Earnshaw. Television roles include Mrs Varley in *Bridgerton* (2020–), Barbara Castle in *The Crown* (2019), Daphne Sparrow in *Sherwood* (2022) and Jess in *Riot Women* (2025).

Ashbourne is married to actor Andy Serkis.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, nationaltheatre.org.uk.*

## On Fi1m (15)

- *Riot Women* (2025), Fi1m 80, as Jess — [page](https://film.one/tv/riot-women.md)
- *The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim* (2024), Fi1m 55, as Olwyn (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-war-of-the-rohirrim.md)
- *Allelujah* (2023), Fi1m 50, as Mrs Earnshaw — [page](https://film.one/film/allelujah.md)
- *Sherwood* (2022), Fi1m 82, as Daphne Sparrow — [page](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md)
- *Alma's Not Normal* (2020), Fi1m 84, as Joan — [page](https://film.one/tv/almas-not-normal.md)
- *Bridgerton* (2020), Fi1m 80, as Mrs. Varley — [page](https://film.one/tv/bridgerton.md)
- *I Hate Suzie* (2020), Fi1m 82, as Karen — [page](https://film.one/tv/i-hate-suzie.md)
- *Jericho* (2016), Fi1m 56, as Lace Polly — [page](https://film.one/tv/jericho.md)
- *London Spy* (2015), Fi1m 70, as Mrs. Turner — [page](https://film.one/tv/london-spy.md)
- *Unforgotten* (2015), Fi1m 64, as DI Tessa Nixon — [page](https://film.one/tv/unforgotten.md)
- *Inside No. 9* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Carol — [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)
- *The Selfish Giant* (2013), Fi1m 88, as Mary — [page](https://film.one/film/the-selfish-giant.md)
- *Housewife, 49* (2006), Fi1m 77, as Dot — [page](https://film.one/film/housewife-49.md)
- *King Kong* (2005), Fi1m 81, as Theatre Actor — [page](https://film.one/film/king-kong-2005.md)
- *Distant Voices, Still Lives* (1988), Fi1m 90, as Maisie — [page](https://film.one/film/distant-voices-still-lives.md)

## Complete filmography (74)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Riot Women* (2025), series, as Jess — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/riot-women.md)
- *The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim* (2024), as Olwyn (voice) — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-war-of-the-rohirrim.md)
- *Hitpig!* (2024), as Big Bertha (voice)
- *National Theatre Live: Till The Stars Come Down* (2024), as Aunty Carol
- *After the Flood* (2024), series, as Molly Marshall
- *Allelujah* (2023), as Mrs Earnshaw — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/allelujah.md)
- *I Hate Suzie Too* (2022), as Karen
- *I Used to Be Famous* (2022), as Cheryl
- *Sherwood* (2022), series, as Daphne Sparrow — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md)
- *Bridgerton* (2020), series, as Mrs. Varley — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/bridgerton.md)
- *A Christmas Carol* (2020), as Mrs Cratchit (voice)
- *No Masks* (2020), Actor
- *I Hate Suzie* (2020), series, as Karen — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/i-hate-suzie.md)
- *Alma's Not Normal* (2020), series, as Joan — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/almas-not-normal.md)
- *The Bind* (2019), as Ruth
- *Blinded by the Light* (2019), as Kathy
- *Cheat* (2019), series, as Angela Shadley
- *The Queen and I* (2018), as Violet
- *Breathe* (2017), as First Woman
- *The Crown* (2016), series, as Barbara Castle — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-crown.md)
- *A Street Cat Named Bob* (2016), as Local Housing Officer
- *Adult Life Skills* (2016), as Marion
- *Jericho* (2016), series, as Lace Polly — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/tv/jericho.md)
- *Bunny and Clive* (2016), as Bunny
- *London Spy* (2015), series, as Mrs. Turner — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/london-spy.md)
- *Unforgotten* (2015), series, as DI Tessa Nixon — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/unforgotten.md)
- *The Interceptor* (2015), series, as Valerie
- *Child 44* (2015), as Anna
- *Emotional Fusebox* (2014), as Marion
- *Happy Birthday BBC Two* (2014), series, as Narrator
- *Inside No. 9* (2014), series, as Carol — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)
- *The Selfish Giant* (2013), as Mary — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-selfish-giant.md)
- *Public Enemies* (2012), series, as Marion Sharmer
- *Vera* (2011), series, as Barbara Tullman — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/vera.md)
- *Little Crackers* (2010), series, as Miss Meadowcroft
- *Thorne: Scaredycat* (2010), as Ruth Brigstocke
- *Thorne* (2010), series, as Ruth Brigstocke
- *Oranges and Sunshine* (2010), as Nicky
- *Victoria Wood: What Larks! Or... What I Did on My Holidays* (2009), as Athlete
- *Victoria Wood's Midlife Christmas* (2009), Actor
- *Murderland* (2009), series, as Rachel
- *Moving On* (2009), series, as Treena
- *Law & Order: UK* (2009), series, Actor
- *A Bunch of Amateurs* (2008), as Jane Jarvis
- *Lark Rise to Candleford* (2008), series, Actor
- *True Dare Kiss* (2007), series, as Beth Sweeney
- *Housewife, 49* (2006), as Dot — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/housewife-49.md)
- *Jane Eyre* (2006), series, as Mrs. Fairfax
- *Thin Ice* (2006), series, as Eileen
- *King Kong* (2005), as Theatre Actor — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/king-kong-2005.md)
- *New Tricks* (2004), series, as Moira Wright
- *The Martins* (2001), as Lil
- *A Christmas Carol* (2000), as Sue Cratchett
- *City Central* (1998), series, Actor
- *Playing the Field* (1998), series, as Geraldine Powell
- *Fever Pitch* (1997), as Paul's Mum
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Daniella Bellini — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Silent Witness* (1996), series, as Michelle Lafferty
- *Jack & Sarah* (1995), as Jackie
- *Number Six* (1995), as Susan Taylor
- *Chiller* (1995), series, as Susan Taylor
- *Pie in the Sky* (1994), series, as Maeve Cormack
- *Fighting for Gemma* (1993), Actor
- *Peak Practice* (1993), series, as Tina Greaves
- *Mr. Wroe's Virgins* (1993), series, as Anne
- *Rich Tea and Sympathy* (1991), series, as Karen Rudge
- *In Suspicious Circumstances* (1991), series, as Ann Bailey
- *Resurrected* (1989), as Reeva
- *The Dressmaker* (1988), as Factory Girl
- *Distant Voices, Still Lives* (1988), as Maisie — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/film/distant-voices-still-lives.md)
- *Rafferty's Rules* (1987), series, as Woman No. 1
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Sandy — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *The Bill* (1984), series, Actor
- *Twenty*, as Dianna

## Gallery

- ![Lorraine Ashbourne](https://film.one/media/person/21540/gallery-3f9e569225a6.jpg) Lorraine Ashbourne — Christopher William Adach from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/Lorraine_Ashbourne_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne at the 2013 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/21540/gallery-9e0afa2bcf07.jpg) Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne at the 2013 Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards (2014) — Christopher William Adach from London, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Andy_Serkis_and_Lorraine_Ashbourne.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![WP - random_-13 (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/21540/gallery-b9987ba32e6e.jpg) WP - random_-13 (2014) — Christopher William Adach from Mexico, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/WP_-_random_-13_%2813910851567%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lorraine Ashbourne](https://film.one/media/person/21540/gallery-19877b017730.jpg) Lorraine Ashbourne — Image via TMDB
- ![Lorraine Ashbourne](https://film.one/media/person/21540/gallery-d911089a1ca5.jpg) Lorraine Ashbourne — Image via TMDB
- ![Lorraine Ashbourne](https://film.one/media/person/21540/gallery-8ea65da63a17.jpg) Lorraine Ashbourne — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/lorraine-ashbourne