Siobhan Hewlett


Siobhán Hewlett is an Irish film, television, radio and theatre actress as well as being a writer, producer, poet and artist.
Siobhán hails from a theatrical dynasty stretching back to the 1800s.
Her great grandparents 'Loch & Lomond' were renowned Variety and Vaudevillian performers, as were her grandparents who met whilst performing for the judges and diplomats at the Nuremberg War Trials.
Siobhan's grandmother was the last remaining captain of the Bluebell girls - the high kicking can can troupe who danced her way from Ireland around Europe and South America in the 20's and 30's, working with Mistinguett, Josephine Baker Maurice Chevalier and Jacques Tati.
Her Grandfather, was a celebrated knock about comic whose act involved multiple back flips off walls. Her Great Aunt's Karina and sister the world famous Eve - were renowned contortionists.
Siobhan's late Father, Donald Hewlett was a famous TV star from Jimmy Perry & David Crofts hit shows It Ain't Half Hot Mum and You Rang, M'Lord?. Siobhan's Mother, Therese McMurray was a child star and lead in the first live hospital show 'Emergency Ward 10'.

Early life

Hewlett was born in London and grew up between the West coast of Ireland Lahinch and Whitstable in Kent. Educated in England, Hewlett attended Wellesley House School, Downe House School and The King's School, Canterbury on art scholarships. Whilst at The King's School, Canterbury, she was spotted in a production by the theatrical agent Hamilton Hodell turned down a place at Cambridge to read English and subsequently won a scholarship to study acting at the prestigious Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

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 learnt French.
She starred at the Donmar Warehouse opposite Simon Russell Beale in Christopher Hampton's play The Philanthropist to critical acclaim. "The luscious and accomplished Araminta was played by the luscious and accomplished Siobhan Hewlett, whose electrifying stage presence would have stolen any other show." -The independent
"And can there have been a funnier seduction scene when Siobhan Hewlett, who gives the vamp the perfect amount of boisterous blankness, ruffles Simon Russell Beale's hair."- The Times
Hewlett starred in the British comedy series Fortysomething opposite Hugh Laurie and Benedict Cumberbatch for ITV.
Hewlett played the leading role in Irina Palm, the indie hit at the Berlin international Film Festival, opposite Marianne Faithfull and Kevin Bishop.
Hewlett took some years away from acting to care for her dying Father.
In 2012, Hewlett started working with comic book writer Alan Moore and photographer/director Mitch Jenkins on a series of films "Showpieces" a vast new occult noir fiction. In 2018 Hewlett starred as Faith Harrington opposite Tom Burke as Fletcher Dennis in Alan Moore's The Show Which was to premiere at SXSW in 2020. Hewlett was exec producer.

Additional works

Hewlett is a singer, published artist and poet. Her first exhibition was at The Osborne Studio Gallery, Belgravia, London in 2008.
Hewlett studied writing at The Royal Court Theatre's prestigious Young Writers program under playwright Simon Stephens.
Hewlett has adapted, is producing and starring in a feature-length adaptation of short story, The Thing About Cassandra by Neil Gaiman.
Hewlett, alongside old family friend Benedict Cumberbatch was chosen to represent The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as one of their ambassadors in 2017.
Hewlett, was a founder member with friend Tom Hardy of their theatre group ShotGun.

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; Ginny in Relatively Speaking with Peter Bowles; 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.

Credits

Film
YearTitleRoleDirectorNotes
2002The GatheringJanieBrian Gilbert
2003Monsieur NBetsy BalcombeAntoine de CaunesNominated for six César Awards
2004Piccadilly JimDrunk Party GirlJohn McKay
2007Irina PalmSarahSam GarbaskiWinner of the Jury prize at Berlin Film Festival 2007
2009DreadQuaid's MotherAnthony DiBlasi
2011Is This a Joke?Amazing BlondeTom Edmunds
2011Act of FaithFaith HarringtonMitch Jenkins
2011Bonded by BloodJuliaSacha Bennett
2012Jimmy's EndFaith HarringtonMitch Jenkins
2013Little FavourVoice and special thanksPatrick Victor Munro
2013HummingbirdTraceySteven Knight
2014PaddyMumLaurence Spellman and Immanuel von Bennigsen
2015Lotus
2016BrakesKateMercedes Grower
2016NipplejesusSarahJake Lushington
2017Country of HotelsBrendaJulio Mario Martino
2020The ShowFaith HarringtonMitch Jenkins

Television
YearTitleRoleProductionNotes
2003FortysomethingLucy ProekITV
2003The Canterbury TalesKarenBBC
2004Midsomer MurdersAmandaITV
2005The Virgin QueenCecilyBBC
2007M.I. HighSonya FrostBBC
2007LiliesHarrietBBC
2007New TricksImogen GloverBBC
2008TorchwoodHarrietBBC
2009Hotel BabylonIsabelBBC
2009TrinityClaudetteRough Cut
2009'Catherine of AragonChannel 4
2010SherlockHelenBBC
2011Pete versus LifeMelChannel 4
2012The SyndicateHotel receptionistITV
2012Parade's EndMichaelangelo womanHBO
2013The Syndicate 2Olivia GoldsmithBBC
2017When All Is Said And Done - ABBA BIOPICAgnetha Faltskog ITV

Theatre
YearTitleTheatreRoleNotes
2004Etta JenksFinborough TheatreKitty and ShelleyWith Chris O'Dowd, Clarke Peters and Daniela Nardini
2005The PhilanthropistDonmar WarehouseAramintaWith Simon Russell Beale, Danny Webb and Anna Madeley
2006The Taming of the ShrewWilton's Music HallBiancaWith Oliver Chris and Rachael Stirling
2008Waltz of the ToreadorsChichester Festival TheatreSidonieWith Peter Bowles, Maggie Steed and Al Weaver
2009Relatively SpeakingTheatre Royal BathGinnyWith Peter Bowles
2011Drowning on Dry LandJermyn Street TheatreGail Gilchrist
2012Donny's BrainHampstead TheatreTrish GailWith Emily Joyce, Ryan Early, Nikesh Patel, Skye Lourie

Video Games
YearTitleRoleNotes
2013Mass Effect 3 - Citadel DLCMaya Brooks
2013'Septima
2014'Additional voices
2015'Shiva/IceheartHeavensward expansion only
2016Song of the DeepNarrator