Siobhan Hewlett

Summary

Siobhan Hewlett is a British-born Irish film, television, radio and theatre actress, writer, producer, poet and artist. 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).

Siobhan Hewlett
Hewlett in 2015
Born
Siobhan Kathleen Mary Hewlett

Occupation(s)Actress, artist, poet, and producer
Years active2002–present

Biography edit

Hwelett's father, Donald Hewlett, was an actor who appeared in It Ain't Half Hot Mum and other sitcoms,[1] and her mother, Thérèse McMurray,[1] has been acting since childhood. She is lead in the hospital-based drama Emergency Ward 10,and star of Dad's Army, and Are You Being Served.[2]

Educated in England on art scholarships, Hewlett attended Wellesley House School,[3] Downe House School, and The King's School, Canterbury. A period of family ill health during Siobhán's childhood meant that she became her family's main carer. 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 was brought up between the West of Ireland (Lahinch) and the East Kent coast of England (Whitstable).

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 edit

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 hit play The Philanthropist,[9] To rave reviews , “ The luscious & accomplished Araminta was played by the luscious & accomplished Siobhán Hewlett, whose electrifying stage presence would have stolen any other show.” - The Independent. 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 edit

Hewlett's theatre credits include Araminta in The Philanthropist at the Donmar Warehouse with Simon Russell Beale Kitty in Etta Jenks at 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 edit

  • 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 edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Director Notes
2002 The Gathering Janie Brian Gilbert
2003 Monsieur N Betsy Balcombe Antoine de Caunes Nominated for six César Awards
2004 Piccadilly Jim Drunk Party Girl John McKay
2007 Irina Palm Sarah Sam Garbaski Winner of the Jury prize at Berlin Film Festival 2007
2009 Dread Quaid's Mother Anthony DiBlasi
2011 Is This a Joke? Amazing Blonde Tom Edmunds
2011 Act of Faith Faith Harrington Mitch Jenkins
2011 Bonded by Blood Julia Sacha Bennett
2012 Jimmy's End Faith Harrington Mitch Jenkins
2013 Little Favour Voice and special thanks Patrick Victor Munro
2013 Hummingbird Tracey Steven Knight
2014 Paddy Mum Laurence Spellman and Immanuel von Bennigsen
2015 Lotus
2016 Brakes Kate Mercedes Grower
2016 Nipplejesus Sarah Jake Lushington
2017 Country of Hotels Brenda Julio Mario Martino
2020 The Show Faith Harrington Mitch Jenkins
2022 The Lost Girls The original Wendy Darling
2023 The Watchers Mina's Mother Ishana Shyalaman post production

Television edit

Year Title Role Production Notes
2003 Fortysomething Lucy Proek ITV
2003 The Canterbury Tales Karen BBC
2004 Midsomer Murders Amanda ITV
2005 The Virgin Queen Cecily BBC
2007 M.I. High Sonya Frost BBC
2007 Lilies Harriet BBC
2007 New Tricks Imogen Glover BBC
2008 Torchwood Harriet BBC
2009 Hotel Babylon Isabel BBC
2009 Trinity Claudette Rough Cut
2009 Henry VIII: The Mind of a Tyrant Catherine of Aragon Channel 4
2010 Sherlock Helen BBC
2011 Pete versus Life Mel Channel 4
2012 The Syndicate Hotel receptionist ITV
2012 Parade's End Michaelangelo woman HBO
2013 The Syndicate 2 Olivia Goldsmith BBC
2017 When All Is Said And Done – ABBA BIOPIC Agnetha Faltskog (younger) ITV
2021 McDonald & Dodds – 'The War of Rose' Nurse Penny Haggard ITV
2021 The Holiday Chalkboard

Theatre edit

Year Title Theatre Role Notes[14]
2004 Etta Jenks Finborough Theatre Kitty and Shelley With Chris O'Dowd, Clarke Peters and Daniela Nardini
2005 The Philanthropist Donmar Warehouse Araminta With Simon Russell Beale, Danny Webb and Anna Madeley
2006 The Taming of the Shrew Wilton's Music Hall Bianca With Oliver Chris and Rachael Stirling
2008 Waltz of the Toreadors Chichester Festival Theatre Sidonie With Peter Bowles, Maggie Steed and Al Weaver
2009 Relatively Speaking Theatre Royal Bath Ginny With Peter Bowles
2011 Drowning on Dry Land Jermyn Street Theatre Gail Gilchrist
2012 Donny's Brain Hampstead Theatre Trish Gail [14]

Video games edit

Year Title Role Notes
2013 Mass Effect 3 – Citadel DLC Maya Brooks
2013 Ryse: Son of Rome Septima
2014 Dragon Age: Inquisition Additional voices
2015 Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Shiva/Iceheart Heavensward expansion only
2016 Song of the Deep Narrator
2020 Battletoads Dark Queen [19]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Hayward, Anthony (7 June 2011). "Donald Hewlett obituary". The Guardian. London.
  2. ^ "Therese McMurray". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Old Welleslians". wellesleyhouse.org. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Siobhán Hewlett". spotlight.com. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Monsieur N." Irish Film Institute. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  6. ^ "Archives". The Clare Champion. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Etta Jenks – Finborough Theatre". Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  8. ^ "BAFTA Awards". bafta.org. 1999.
  9. ^ WC2, Benedict Nightingale at Donmar Warehouse. "The Philanthropist". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 12 September 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "South Bank Show Awards 2005". BBC News. 5 December 2005.
  11. ^ "Film Card". Torino Film Fest. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  12. ^ "Irina Palm". berlinale.de. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  13. ^ "'Covid hammered home that money isn't everything; you need friends & family more.'". Irish Independent. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  14. ^ a b c d e "Siobhan Hewlett Credits". curtisbrown.co.uk (former agent). Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Siobhan Hewlett". latw.org. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Siobhán Hewlett". tagmin.com. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  17. ^ "RMCC Impact Report 2018-19" (PDF). royalmarsden.org. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  18. ^ "Siobhan Hewlett talks Moore and More with 366 Weird Movies". Giles Edwards of 366weirdmovies on Youtube. 24 January 2022.
  19. ^ "Siobhan Hewlett". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 19 January 2021.

External links edit

  • Siobhan Hewlett at IMDb