{{Short description|Scottish actress}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Use British English|date=September 2015}} {{Infobox person | image = | caption = Rooney, c. 2020s | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|10|22|df=y}} | birth_place = Glasgow, Scotland, UK | occupation = {{hlist|Actress|comedian}} | years_active = 2012–present | spouse = | alma_mater = University of Hull | notable_works = ''My Mad Fat Diary'' (2013–15) <br/> ''Two Doors Down'' (2013–17) | children = | website = }} '''Sharon Rooney''' (born 22 October 1988<ref>{{cite web |title=Sharon Rooney |url=https://www.amazon.com/prime-video/actor/Sharon-Rooney/amzn1.dv.gti.fbe77816-42c5-4257-a67d-a2b4c460b263/ |website=amazon.com |access-date=2 November 2025}}</ref>) is a Scottish actress from Glasgow, Scotland. Her breakthrough role as Rae Earl in ''My Mad Fat Diary'' earned her critical acclaim,<ref>{{Cite web |title=My Mad Fat Diary |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-mad-fat-diary |access-date=9 March 2019 |website=Channel 4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Sophie |date=21 January 2013 |title=Rae Earl on My Mad Fat Diary |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9803399/Rae-Earl-on-My-Mad-Fat-Diary.html}}</ref> and led to her casting as Sophie in ''Two Doors Down'' (2013; 2016–2017), Dawn in ''Brief Encounters'', Miss Atlantis in the 2019 remake of ''Dumbo'' and Lawyer Barbie in the 2023 film ''Barbie''. In 2024, she had recurring roles in both ''Daddy Issues'' and ''Nightsleeper'', playing the roles of Catherine and Yasmin (Yas) Brown respectively.
In 2013, she was nominated for a BAFTA Scotland award in the Best Actor/Actress (Television) Category for her performance in ''My Mad Fat Diary''. She has subsequently been nominated for a Royal Television Society Award, Broadcasting Press Guild Award and Young Scot Awards. In 2015, she won the Best Actor/Actress (Television) Award at the 2015 ceremony of BAFTA Scotland for ''My Mad Fat Diary'', and in 2021 won a British Short Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress in ''Do No Harm''.
==Early life== Rooney was born in Glasgow on 22 October 1988, and educated at Knightswood Secondary School.<ref>{{cite web |title=People of Knightswood: 7 famous faces who were pupils at Knightswood Secondary School |url=https://www.glasgowworld.com/best-in/people-of-knightswood-7-famous-faces-who-were-pupils-at-knightswood-secondary-school-5027018 |website=GlasgowWorld |access-date=2 November 2025 |language=en |date=11 March 2025}}</ref> In an interview with ''Ayrshire Magazine'', Rooney recalled "seeing a pantomime with her aunt" when she was young, and being "captivated by the people on stage".<ref name="Sharon Rooney - Ayrshire Magazine"/> She described acting as something she "always spoke about" since then, and that when she was at school it "was all I talked about doing".<ref name="Sharon Rooney - Ayrshire Magazine"/> During her time at school, Rooney claimed she treated every class as a performance, saying "school was a show for me" and that she "was always chatting, always the one to make people laugh, talking too much, being disruptive".<ref name="Sharon Rooney - Ayrshire Magazine"/>
She left school at the age of 16 to pursue a career in acting, and enrolled on a three-year performing arts course followed by a degree in drama at Hull University.<ref name="MMFDIndy">{{Cite news |last=Orr |first=Gillian |date=31 January 2014 |title=Unexpected agony aunt: How My Mad Fat Diary star Sharon Rooney transformed teen TV |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/unexpected-agony-aunt-how-my-mad-fat-diary-star-sharon-rooney-transformed-teen-tv-9093944.html |access-date=30 October 2016}}</ref>
==Career== ===Breakthrough (2013–2023)=== Rooney began performing stand-up comedy,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview: Sharon Rooney on 'My Mad Fat Diary |url=http://www.timeout.com/london/tv-and-radio-guide/interview-sharon-rooney-on-my-mad-fat-diary |access-date=9 March 2019 |website=Time Out London |archive-date=26 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926113053/https://www.timeout.com/london/tv-and-radio-guide/interview-sharon-rooney-on-my-mad-fat-diary |url-status=dead }}</ref> and toured with a play in various schools across Britain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sharon Rooney up for actress award |url=http://nativemonster.com/lifestyle/tv/sharon-rooney-up-for-actress-award |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229041159/http://nativemonster.com/lifestyle/tv/sharon-rooney-up-for-actress-award |archive-date=29 December 2014 |access-date=29 December 2014 |website=Native Monster}}</ref> Her first television role came when she was cast as Rae Earl, a young woman who is released from a psychiatric facility after four months, in the E4 teen comedy-drama series ''My Mad Fat Diary'' (2013–2015).<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 May 2013 |title='Sherlock' Series Three To Feature 'My Mad Fat Diary' Star Sharon Rooney? |work=Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/01/sherlock-series-three-sharon-rooney_n_3191874.html |access-date=9 November 2013}}</ref> The show was a success and earned Rooney a BAFTA nomination at the BAFTA Scotland awards.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Holland and Sharon Rooney among BAFTA's Breakthrough Brits |url=http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/tom-holland-and-sharon-rooney-among-bafta-s-breakthrough-brits |access-date=9 March 2019 |website=IndieLondon}}</ref><ref name="Sharon Rooney has 'won already' with Bafta nod">{{Cite news |last=Christie |first=Janet |date=16 November 2014 |title=Sharon Rooney has 'won already' with Bafta nod |work=The Scotsman |url=http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/tv-radio/sharon-rooney-has-won-already-with-bafta-nod-1-3606823}}</ref> ''The Guardian''{{'}}s Sam Wollaston called Rooney's performance "natural, effortless and utterly believable".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wollaston |first=Sam |date=14 January 2013 |title=TV review: My Mad Fat Diary; Girls |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/jan/14/my-mad-fat-diary-review}}</ref> Rooney claimed she was "surprised" to be nominated for a BAFTA Scotland award, and claimed she was "dreading" attending the ceremony but confirmed it was not for the fear of not winning the award, claiming that by being nominated she felt she had "already won".<ref name="Sharon Rooney has 'won already' with Bafta nod"/> The role also saw her nominated for a Royal Television Society award in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Scottish My Mad Fat Diary Star Sharon Rooney nominated for RTS award |url=http://shows.stv.tv/talk-tv/266057-scottish-my-mad-fat-diary-star-sharon-rooney-nominated-for-rts-award/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222055018/http://shows.stv.tv/talk-tv/266057-scottish-my-mad-fat-diary-star-sharon-rooney-nominated-for-rts-award/ |archive-date=22 December 2014 |access-date=22 December 2014 |website=STV Shows}}</ref> She was also nominated in the Entertainment category at the 2014 Young Scot Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenaway |first=Heather |date=13 April 2014 |title=Video: Young Scots 2014 Roll of Honour |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/video-young-scots-2014-roll-3407762 |access-date=2 November 2017 |website=Daily Record}}</ref>
In 2013, Rooney was cast to play the role of Sophie, the daughter of Christine O'Neal (played by Elaine C. Smith), in the BBC Scotland sitcom ''Two Doors Down''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Buchan |first1=Sophie |title=Actress Sharon Rooney's journey to Hollywood from Two Doors Down to Barbie |url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/celebs/glasgow-actress-sharon-rooneys-journey-27396986 |website=Glasgow Live |access-date=2 November 2025 |language=en |date=30 July 2023}}</ref> The pilot episode aired in December 2013, but was not picked up for full series until 2016, with Rooney returned to the role of Sophie.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hit comedy Two Doors Down is back after winning fans on both sides of the Border |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/14863624.hit-comedy-two-doors-down-is-back-after-winning-fans-on-both-sides-of-the-border/ |website=The National |access-date=2 November 2025 |language=en |date=28 March 2016}}</ref> Rooney said that working with Elaine C. Smith was "a dream come true", saying that she "grew up watching people like Elaine, Johnnie and Alex on the television", claiming that you would "see them on the telly all the time, so to be in a room with them and hear all their stories was just brilliant".<ref>{{cite web |title=Interview with Sharon Rooney |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/twodoorsdown/sharon/ |website=www.bbc.co.uk |access-date=2 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In 2017, after two series on ''Two Doors Down'', Rooney announced her departure from the show, with her character Sophie being written out of the show to move to Wales with her recently born daughter Madison.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Guide |first1=British Comedy |title=Two Doors Down to return with cast changes |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/2823/two_doors_down_special/ |website=British Comedy Guide |access-date=2 November 2025 |language=en |date=19 October 2017}}</ref>
Rooney played a small part in the ''Sherlock'' episode "The Empty Hearse" in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pook |first=Lizzie |title=Girl meets world: Sharon Rooney |url=http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/girl-meets-world-sharon-rooney |access-date=9 March 2019 |website=Stylist |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304024909/http://www.stylist.co.uk/people/girl-meets-world-sharon-rooney |url-status=dead }}</ref> In July 2016, she appeared in the ITV drama series ''Brief Encounters'', set in 1982 and revolving around four women who become involved in Ann Summers party planning.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Durrant |first=Sabine |date=11 July 2016 |title=Brief Encounters: the thief, his mistress and the birth of Ann Summers |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/07/11/brief-encounters-the-thief-his-mistress-and-the-birth-of-ann-sum}}</ref> She played Miss Atlantis in the 2019 film ''Dumbo'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Omar |date=27 June 2018 |title='Dumbo': Everything to Know About Disney's Live-Action Remake Directed by Tim Burton |website=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/dumbo-everything-know-disneys-live-action-remake-1123533/}}</ref> in which she performed the song "Baby Mine".<ref name="PressKit">{{Cite news |date=11 March 2019 |title=Dumbo Press Kit |url=http://www.wdsmediafile.com/media/Dumbo/writen-material/Dumbo5c83092c19644.pdf |access-date=11 March 2019}}</ref> She played Nicola Walsh in ''Finding Alice'' in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bley Griffiths |first=Eleanor |date=17 January 2021 |title=Meet the cast of ITV's Finding Alice |work=Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/2021-01-17/finding-alice-cast-itv/ |access-date=21 January 2021}}</ref> In 2021, she played the role of Shauna in the short film ''Do No Harm'', a role which earned her a British Short Film Award for Best Supporting Actress.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Tom |title=British Short Film Award winners announced |url=https://britishcinematographer.co.uk/british-short-film-award-winners-announced/ |website=British Cinematographer |access-date=2 November 2025 |date=10 December 2021}}</ref>
===''Barbie'' and television (2023–present)===
In 2023, Rooney was cast in the movie ''Barbie'', playing the role of Lawyer Barbie alongside a cast including Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Rhea Perlman and Ncuti Gatwa. It quickly became the highest grossing film worldwide following its release, taking in $1.5 billion at the box office. Rooney said that her casting in ''Barbie'' was "a dream", whilst acknowledging that the statement was "somewhat a cliché". She said that growing up, she "played with one of those doll houses when I was a little girl and now I am in one".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lawler |first1=Danielle |title=Living in a Barbie world: Sharon Rooney on what went on behind-the-scenes of this year’s breakout hit |url=https://www.tatler.com/article/living-in-a-barbie-world-sharon-rooney-on-what-went-on-behind-the-scenes-of-this-years-breakout-hit |website=Tatler |access-date=2 November 2025 |date=14 September 2023}}</ref> ''Glamour'' described the role as a "stark departure" from Rooney's previous roles.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Lucy |title=‘If I can be Barbie, I can be anything’: Sharon Rooney talks beauty standards and why this is her most empowering role yet |url=https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/barbie-sharon-rooney-interview-2023 |website=Glamour UK |access-date=2 November 2025 |date=17 July 2023}}</ref> In 2024, she was cast as Yasmin "Yas" Brown in the BBC One drama series ''Nightsleeper''.<ref name="Sharon Rooney on Nightsleeper: 'It was one of the hardest jobs I've ever done'">{{cite web |last1=Aron |first1=Isabelle |title=Sharon Rooney on Nightsleeper: 'It was one of the hardest jobs I've ever done' |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/sharon-rooney-nightsleeper-interview-3285838?srsltid=AfmBOooi_0GdrdwvaEmmvSBqqNw5ZfndqbmnwFy6XXaxTEZ7meh52fE- |website=The i Paper |access-date=2 November 2025 |date=23 September 2024}}</ref> She described the role as "one of the hardest jobs" she has had, but claimed she was interested in the role due to her interest in trains.<ref name="Sharon Rooney on Nightsleeper: 'It was one of the hardest jobs I've ever done'"/>
In August 2024, she was cast as Catherine in ''Daddy Issues'', also on BBC One.<ref>{{cite web |title=First look images for Daddy Issues series 2 starring Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey revealed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2025/daddy-issues-series-2-first-look-images-revealed |website=www.bbc.co.uk |access-date=2 November 2025 |language=en}}</ref> She was appointed to be one of the judges at the 2024 Glasgow Comedy Festival alongside Janey Godley and Tony Curran, with the three judges being selected to decide on a recipient to present to comedian Billy Connolly to award the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award.<ref name="Barbie star Rooney among judges for Glasgow comedy festival prize">{{cite web |title=Barbie star Rooney among judges for Glasgow comedy festival prize |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2wxdwnv94o |website=BBC News |access-date=3 November 2025 |date=13 February 2024}}</ref> Rooney said she was "excited" to be selected as a judge, and said "the Glasgow comedy scene is one of the best, and as a proud Glaswegian it's a joy to watch it get bigger and better each year".<ref name="Barbie star Rooney among judges for Glasgow comedy festival prize"/>
Rooney is set to appear in the second series of ''The Celebrity Traitors'' in autumn 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Guy |date=2026-05-02 |title=Celebrity Traitors 2026: Full line-up of series two confirmed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yx5w43jzko |access-date=2026-05-02 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Despite her acting success, Rooney describes herself as a "shy person".<ref name="Sharon Rooney - Ayrshire Magazine">{{cite web |title=Sharon Rooney - Ayrshire Magazine |url=https://ayrshiremagazine.com/sharon-rooney/ |website=Ayrshire Magazine |access-date=2 November 2025 |date=20 January 2023}}</ref> She lives in Glasgow, saying she "loves being home", and describes herself as "such a home bird". She describes her situation as "the best part for me about going away is the coming home. The minute I’m done, I’m on the train and I’m straight home".<ref name="Sharon Rooney - Ayrshire Magazine"/> Following the success of ''My Mad Fat Diary'', Rooney said she "felt too much responsibility" regarding "anyone who has mental health issues, an eating disorder, or any problem" and claimed that she often had to think before speaking and posting things publicly.<ref>{{cite web |title=Girl meets world: Sharon Rooney |url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/people/girl-meets-world-sharon-rooney/18843 |website=www.stylist.co.uk |access-date=2 November 2025}}</ref>
==Filmography== {| class="wikitable" |+Key | style="background:#FFFFCC;"| {{dagger|alt=Not yet released}} |Denotes works that have not yet been released |} ===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2013 | ''Under the Skin'' | Party Girl | |- | 2015 | ''Hector'' | Young Mother | |- | 2019 | ''Dumbo'' | Miss Atlantis | |- | 2021 | ''The Electrical Life of Louis Wain'' | Josephine Wain | |- | 2021 | ''Do No Harm'' | Shauna | Short film <br/> British Short Film Award – Won (Best Supporting Actress) |- | 2023 |''Barbie'' | Lawyer Barbie<ref>{{cite news |last1=McStay |first1=Kirsten |title=Scots Barbie star Sharon Rooney cancels Glasgow Film Theatre appearance due to writer's strike |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity/scots-barbie-star-sharon-rooney-30503324 |access-date=29 July 2023 |work=Daily Record |date=19 July 2023}}</ref> | |- | 2025 |''Grow'' | Sharon<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scotland |first1=Screen |title=Golda Rosheuvel, Nick Frost, Jeremy Swift, Tim McInnerny, and Jane Horrocks to star in upcoming Sky Original film Grow |url=https://www.screen.scot/news/2024/may/golda-rosheuvel-nick-frost-to-star-upcoming-sky-original-film-grow |website=Screen Scotland |access-date=7 December 2025 |language=en |date=15 May 2024}}</ref> | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- | 2013–2015 | ''My Mad Fat Diary'' | Rae Earl | 16 episodes <br/> BAFTA Scotland – Nominated for Best Actor/Actress (Television) <Br/> Royal Television Society – Nominated for Best Actress <br/> Broadcasting Press Guild – Nominated for Breakthrough Award <br/> Young Scot Awards – Nominated for Entertainment Award <br/> BAFTA Scotland – Won Best Actor/Actress (Television) |- | 2014 | ''Sherlock'' | Laura | Episode: "The Empty Hearse" |- | 2014–2015 | ''Mountain Goats'' | Jules | 7 episodes |- | rowspan="2" | 2016 | ''Brief Encounters'' | Dawn | 6 episodes |- | ''Stag'' | Brodie | Miniseries |- | 2013, 2016–2017 | ''Two Doors Down'' | Sophie | Main role <br/> 13 episodes |- | 2016–2018 | ''Zapped'' | Barbara | 15 episodes |- | 2017–2018 | ''The Tunnel'' | Kiki Stokes | 4 episodes |- | 2018 | ''No Offence'' | Faye Caddy | 4 episodes |- |2019 |''The Capture'' |Becky |6 episodes |- |2019–2023 |''Jerk'' |Ruth |8 episodes<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 February 2019 |title=Lorraine Bracco joins Tim Renkow in new BBC Three comedy, Jerk |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2019/jerk |access-date=9 March 2019 |website=BBC Media Centre}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2021 |''Finding Alice'' |Nicola |6 episodes |- |''McDonald & Dodds'' |Doreen Warren |Episode: "We Need To Talk About Doreen"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fear |first=Helen |date=7 March 2021 |title=Who plays Doreen in McDonald & Dodds? Actress Sharon Rooney found fame on My Mad Fat Diary |work=Entertainment Daily |url=https://www.entertainmentdaily.co.uk/tv/who-plays-doreen-in-mcdonald-dodds-actress-sharon-rooney-found-fame-on-my-mad-fat-diary/ |access-date=8 March 2021}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2022 | ''The Teacher'' | Nina | 4 episodes |- | ''The Control Room'' | Breck | 3 episodes |- | 2024–present | ''Daddy Issues'' | Catherine | Recurring role; 12 episodes |- | rowspan="2" |2024 | ''Nightsleeper'' | Yasmin (Yas) Brown | Recurring role; 6 episodes |- |''The Cleaner''<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC unveils star-studded cast for The Cleaner Series 3 with exclusive first look images |url=https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/the-cleaner-s3-cast-reveal-bbc-one |publisher=BBC |access-date=31 October 2024}}</ref> |Sue, Mrs Barton, Tippy, Cook, Jibbers, John Church, Lady Rice Phillips |Episode "The Housekeeper" |- | 2025 | ''The Revenge Club'' | Rachel Koffman | Main cast<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/revenge-club-paramount-martin-compston-cast-newsupdate/ |website=Radio Times|accessdate=18 June 2025|title= Line of Duty and Slow Horses stars join new thriller The Revenge Club|first=Morgan|last=Cormack}}</ref> |- | 2026 | ''The Celebrity Traitors'' | Contestant; series 2 | |}
==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable unsortable" |- ! Year ! Awards ! Category ! Work ! Result |- | 2013 | British Academy Scotland Awards | Best New Scottish Actor/Actress | ''My Mad Fat Diary'' | {{nom}} |- | 2013 | Scottish Variety Awards<ref>{{cite web |title=Glasgow hosts Scottish Variety Awards |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/13248749.glasgow-hosts-scottish-variety-awards/ |website=Glasgow Times |access-date=3 November 2025 |language=en |date=4 February 2013}}</ref> | Best Actor/Actress (Television) | ''My Mad Fat Diary'' | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="4" | 2014 | British Academy Scotland Awards | Best Actor/Actress (Television) | ''My Mad Fat Diary'' | {{nom}} |- | Royal Television Society | Best Actress | ''My Mad Fat Diary'' | {{nom}} |- | Broadcasting Press Guild | Breakthrough Award | ''My Mad Fat Diary'' | {{nom}} |- | Young Scot Awards | Entertainment Award | ''My Mad Fat Diary'' | {{nom}} |- | 2015 | British Academy Scotland Awards | Best Actor/Actress (Television) | ''My Mad Fat Diary'' | {{won}} |- | 2021 | British Short Film Awards | Best Supporting Actress | ''Do No Harm'' <ref name="bsfa">{{Cite web |title=British Short Film Awards 2021 - Winners |url=https://www.thebritishshortfilmawards.co.uk/2021-awards-nominees-1 |access-date=16 December 2021 |website=thebritishshortfilmawards.co.uk}}</ref><ref name="harm">{{Cite web |title=Do No Harm |url=https://www.douglaskingfilm.com/films/do-no-harm |access-date=16 December 2021 |website=douglaskingfilm.com}}</ref> | {{won}} |}
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|5287110}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rooney, Sharon}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Scottish actresses Category:21st-century British actresses Category:Actresses from Glasgow Category:British film actresses Category:Scottish stage actresses Category:British television actresses