Siobhan Hewlett
Hewlett in 2015
Born	Siobhan Kathleen Mary Hewlett Hammersmith, London, England
Occupation(s)	Actress, artist, poet, and producer
Years active	2002–present

Siobhan Hewlett is a British-born Irish film, television, radio and theatre actress, writer, producer, poet and artist. She hails from a theatrical dynasty stretching back to the 19th-century. Her acting credits include Monsieur N (2003), The Canterbury Tales (2003), The Philanthropist (2005), The Virgin Queen (2005), Irina Palm (2007), Torchwood (2008), Hotel Babylon (2009), Henry VIII: The Mind of a Tyrant (2009), Sherlock (2010), Bonded by Blood (2011), Hummingbird (2013), Brakes (2016), The Show (2021), and McDonald & Dodds (2021).

Background and early life

Siobhan comes from a long family history of entertainers, including her father, Donald Hewlett, an actor best known for It Ain't Half Hot Mum,^[1] and her mother, Thérèse McMurray,^[1] a child star and lead in the hospital-based drama Emergency Ward 10,and star of Dad's Army, and Are You Being Served.^[2]

Educated in England, Hewlett attended Wellesley House School,^[3] Downe House School, and The King's School, Canterbury on art scholarships. She won a scholarship to study acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, for a 3-year classical acting diploma course.^[4]

Hewlett studied playwriting at the Royal Court Theatre's Young Writers program under playwright Simon Stephens.^[4] She also spent some time in Los Angeles, attending The Groundlings improv school as well as performing with L.A. Theatre Works.^[4]

Career

Whilst still at drama school at 19, Hewlett was chosen by French film director Antoine de Caunes to play the leading role in Monsieur N, a role that required she learn French.^[5] Shortly afterward, she starred in the British comedy series Fortysomething, opposite Hugh Laurie and Benedict Cumberbatch, for ITV.^[6]

Hewlett made her professional stage debut at The Finborough Theatre in London, starring opposite Chris O'Dowd, Clarke Peters, and Daniela Nardini in Etta Jenks.^[7] She found further success in 1999, when starring opposite Dame Julie Walters and Bill Nighy, in BBC BAFTA winning The Canterbury Tales.^[8]

In 2005, Hewlett made her West end stage debut at the Donmar Warehouse, starring alongside Simon Russell Beale, in the Christopher Hampton play The Philanthropist,^[9] The show was nominated the 2006 South Bank show award for Theathre.^[10]

In 2007, She starred in the indie hit Irina Palm,^[11] opposite Marianne Faithfull and Kevin Bishop which won the audience prize at The Berlin international Film Festival.^[12] Hewlett continued working with Cumberbatch when she guest starred in the first episode of award-winning Sherlock and hit series Parades End.^[4]

Hewlett has worked with comic book writer Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta) and photographer/director Mitch Jenkins. Hewlett starred as journalist Faith Harrington in a series of occult noir films – the first of which, was 'Act of Faith'. Hewlett became exec producer on the series, 'Showpieces' and subsequent feature, The Show starring opposite Tom Burke as Fletcher Dennis.^[4]

In 2020, Hewlett began collaborating with Neil Gaiman adapting one of his short stories into a feature film. Hewlett has a production company with her brother, Patrick Hewlett, as well as her own company Oyster Films.^[13]

Theatre

Hewlett's theatre credits include Kitty in Etta Jenks and the Finborough Theatre with Chris O'Dowd, Daniela Nardini and Clarke Peters, directed by Che Walker;^[14] Ginny in Relatively Speaking with Peter Bowles;^[14] The Waltz of the Toreadors at Chichester Festival Theatre directed by Angus Jackson; and Donny's Brain by Rona Munro at Hampstead Theatre opposite Ryan Early.^[14]

Additional works

• In 2008, Hewlett had her first exhibition at The Osborne Studio Gallery, Belgravia, London exhibiting her talents as a singer, published artist and poet.^[15]
• Hewlett has adapted, is producing and starring in a feature-length adaptation of short story, The Thing About Cassandra by Neil Gaiman.^[16]
• Hewlett, alongside old family friend Benedict Cumberbatch was chosen to represent The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as one of their ambassadors in 2017.^[17]
• She is also a surfer, and plays the guitar.^[18]

Filmography

References

External links

• Siobhan Hewlett at IMDb