Sinead Matthews (born c. 1980) is an English actress whose credits include film, television, radio and stage. As well as having extensive theatre experience, her screen credits include He Knew He Was Right (2004), Vera Drake (2004), Pride & Prejudice (2005), Ideal (2005–2010), Terry Pratchett's Hogfather (2006), Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010), Black Mirror (2013), The Smoke (2014), Jellyfish (2018), The Crown (2019), and Hullraisers (2022).

Early life and education

Sinead Matthews was born in 1980 or 1981 in Coventry, England, to her parents Mick and Maura Matthews. She attended Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, in Potters Green, Coventry. Matthews was a performing arts student studying A-level Drama at Stratford-upon-Avon College, for two years between 1996 and 1998. She went on to study acting at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating in 2003 with an BA in Acting Degree (H Level).

Career

Whilst still at RADA, she secured her first professional acting role in the film Vera Drake in 2004. Matthews made her television debut in the 2004 costume drama He Knew He Was Right. In 2005, she starred as Betsey in the period drama Pride & Prejudice, alongside Keira Knightley. In 2009 she starred in Our Class, a new play by Tadeusz Slobodzianek at the NT and in Penelope Skinner's 2010 play Eigengrau at the Bush Theatre. In 2013, she played a lead role in series one of Black Mirror, as Sarah in the episode "Be Right Back", with Domhnall Gleeson and Hayley Atwell. In August 2016, Matthews played Hermia/Fairy/Mistress Quince in A Midsummer Night's Dream, composed by Felix Mendelssohn, at The Proms. In 2019 she played Marcia Williams, political secretary to Prime Minister Harold Wilson, in season three of the TV series about the royal family, The Crown. In 2022, she played a main role as Paula in the Channel 4 British Sitcom Hullraisers.

Filmography

Film

Television

Radio

Stage