Sophie McShera : An English Actress
Early Life and Education
Sophie McShera was born on May 17, 1985, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. She comes from a large Irish family, with her mother working as a teacher and her father as a teacher turned financial adviser. Sophie grew up in Eccleshill, West Yorkshire, attending St Joseph’s College during her school years.
At an early age, Sophie discovered her passion for acting. She attended the Footsteps Theatre School during high school and got her first break in the comedy “The Goodbye Girl” at the age of twelve. This was followed by a tour with “Annie.” She then pursued her higher education at Brunel University in London, where she earned a degree in drama.
Sophie McShera has also mentioned in an interview with Rachel Ray In Season magazine in 2019 that she follows a vegetarian diet.
Career
Sophie McShera’s acting career kicked off in 2007 after university, with appearances in popular soap operas like “Emmerdale” and “Doctors,” as well as the drama “Survivors” in 2008. Her breakthrough came in 2009 when she joined the regular cast of the BBC One drama series “Waterloo Road” for its fifth series. She portrayed A-level student Ros McCain, whose storylines revolved around academic challenges and personal discoveries, including questioning her sexuality.
Following her stint on “Waterloo Road,” McShera became a notable part of the cast of Julian Fellowes’ hit ITV costume drama “Downton Abbey.” In the series, she played Daisy, the kitchen maid. “Downton Abbey” became a huge success both critically and commercially, garnering widespread acclaim. Sophie McShera, along with co-star Hugh Bonneville, expressed gratitude to the audience after the show won Most Popular TV Drama at the 2012 National TV Awards.
Since 2013, McShera has been portraying Bryony, a regular character on the ITV2 sitcom “The Job Lot.” In 2015, she took on the role of stepsister Drisella Tremaine in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Cinderella.” This showcased her versatility, particularly her singing abilities, as she portrayed lady’s maid Gwynne in the ABC musical comedy series “Galavant.”
On the stage, Sophie McShera has also delivered notable performances. She played the title role in the pantomime “Cinderella” at the West Yorkshire Playhouse from December 2009 to January 2010. Additionally, she appeared as Annie alongside Paul O’Grady in the show’s London run and subsequent tour in 1998. In 2011, McShera joined the cast of Jez Butterworth’s acclaimed stage play “Jerusalem,” taking on the role of Pea for the play’s return to London’s West End at the Apollo Theatre.
Sophie McShera continues to captivate audiences with her diverse roles, from period dramas to sitcoms, showcasing her talent and versatility as an actress on both screen and stage.