Sharon D. Clarke has broken ground with her acting roles. In 2018, as Grace O’Brien, she joined the world of Doctor Who as one of three strong, diverse women – alongside Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor and Mandip Gill as Yaz. Reflecting on criticism that a female Doctor would deprive young boys of a male role model, she asks, “Why can’t young boys admire a woman?”
Following that, she took the lead role in the 2024 film Mr Loverman, an adaptation of Bernardine Evaristo’s novel. The story, which hadn’t been shown on screen before, centers on a wife who discovers her husband (played by Lennie James) is in love with another man. Notably, the film was partially set in Antigua and Barbuda, a country where homosexuality was only decriminalized in 2022. She believes it’s crucial to share stories like these.
Honestly, I was really struck by what she said about the intimacy scenes in the show. She pointed out – and it’s so true – that seeing a fuller-figured woman portrayed as desirable, actually being loved on screen, is still pretty rare. She was proud to be showing up fully, as herself, even down to the red sequins and everything! It felt really powerful and refreshing to hear her talk about it like that.
Clarke is back for the second season of ‘Ellis,’ making history as the first Black female detective leading a British TV series. The show subtly addresses the challenges she faces, such as a scene where a colleague assumes she’s a man and then tries to dismiss her. Clarke appreciates that the series doesn’t overemphasize these moments, but instead highlights the small, often overlooked, acts of disrespect, encouraging viewers to recognize and reconsider their own biases.
Did all of these experiences feel important at the time? “Absolutely,” says the 59-year-old Londoner. “I’ve always been aware that at this point in my career, I’m able to create work that reflects society and its issues.”
A three-time Olivier Award winner, the actress says she feels most at home on stage. She used to avoid TV auditions because she was always offered roles as nurses. That changed in 2008 when she landed the part of consultant Lola Griffin on Holby City. She describes Lola as a younger version of her mother – a confident, unapologetic Black woman – and realized the role embodied the lessons her mother had always tried to teach her. Playing Lola helped her embrace the strength and confidence she’d previously tried to distance herself from, ultimately bringing her closer to her mother’s spirit after her passing in 2016.
Susie McKenna, writer and director and Clarke’s wife since 2008, noticed a change in Clarke while she was playing the role of Lola. Clarke remembers Susie observing a growing intensity, feeling like the character had gone too far and needed to find balance. Clarke explains that she used to avoid conflict, always worrying about upsetting others. Now, approaching 60, she’s much more comfortable expressing her opinions, finding it incredibly freeing. She believes playing various characters has helped her discover and embrace previously hidden parts of herself.
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Even when she has smaller parts, Sharon Clarke delivers a memorable performance. For example, she voiced Dulcibear, a kind nanny to Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) in the movie Wicked: For Good. This character wasn’t in the original stage production. Clarke kept her involvement quiet, thinking it was a minor role, until her niece messaged her, surprised to hear she was part of the film!
Many fans believe the character of Dulcibear is essential for understanding Elphaba’s history. Actress Clarke says she’s thrilled Dulcibear has resonated with audiences, and proud to be part of the Wicked story. Voicing the character has also been a dream come true, and she hopes to work on a large animated film in the future.
She genuinely enjoys all of her acting roles. She explained that she’s currently choosing projects based on passion, not financial need. Instead of feeling pressured to earn money, she’s motivated by a desire to be involved in compelling stories.
Ellis season 2 will air on Tuesday 10 March and Wednesday 11 March at 9pm on 5.
Keep up with Ellis by adding them to your watchlist on the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app today for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content!
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2026-03-02 20:47