You know those actors who just seem to pop up everywhere, but they’re such chameleons you don’t always connect the dots? That’s basically the career of Siobhan Murphy. Honestly, if you’ve watched any Canadian or network TV in the last decade, you’ve definitely seen her. But whether you know her as the bubbly, slightly neurotic Patsy from Netflix or the "Mimico Newsome" socialite on a period drama, she has this way of making every role feel like a completely different human being.
She isn't just "that one girl from that one show." From high-stakes thrillers to some of the most wholesome Christmas movies ever made, Siobhan Murphy movies and tv shows cover a range that most actors would kill for.
The Breakthrough: Murdoch Mysteries and the Newsome Legacy
If we’re talking about where most people first fell in love with her, we have to start with Murdoch Mysteries. She plays Ruth Newsome (later Ruth Higgins-Newsome), and man, she is a scene-stealer. Ruth is part of the "Mimico Newsomes," which in the show's universe is basically shorthand for "stuck-up and filthy rich."
But here's the thing: Murphy doesn't just play her as a flat, annoying snob. She gives Ruth this weirdly endearing quality. You sort of want to roll your eyes at her, but you also kind of want to be her best friend. Her comedic timing is sharp. Like, really sharp. The way she transitioned from a guest star into a recurring fan favorite is a testament to how much life she pumped into what could have been a very cliché role. Watching her navigate 19th-century Toronto with the confidence of a woman who has never been told "no" in her life is pure gold.
Streaming Fame: Merry Happy Whatever
Then there’s the Netflix era. If you’ve ever binged Merry Happy Whatever during the holidays, you’ve seen her playing Patsy Quinn. She’s the eldest daughter of Dennis Quaid’s character, Don Quinn.
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Patsy is... a lot. She’s the "glue" of the family, or at least she tries to be, often while hovering right on the edge of a total nervous breakdown. It’s a very different energy than Ruth Newsome. While Ruth is entitled and airy, Patsy is grounded but hyper-anxious. Murphy has mentioned in interviews that playing Patsy felt like a version of herself "turned up to 10."
Working alongside heavy hitters like Dennis Quaid and Ashley Tisdale, she managed to hold her own as the emotional heart of the show. It’s a shame it only lasted one season, because the Quinn family dynamic was starting to feel like that messy, loud holiday dinner we’ve all actually lived through.
The Diverse Portfolio: From Schitt’s Creek to Cross
A lot of people actually get Siobhan Murphy mixed up with Annie Murphy (who played Alexis on Schitt's Creek), mostly because of the name and the fact that they’re both Canadian powerhouses. But Siobhan actually appeared in Schitt's Creek herself! She played Diane in the episode "The Thumper." It was a smaller role, but it’s one of those "wait, was that her?" moments that fans love to point out.
Recently, she’s been leaning into more intense projects. In 2024, she joined the cast of the Amazon series Cross, a gritty crime thriller based on the Alex Cross novels. It’s a massive departure from the bright, multi-cam sitcom world of Netflix. Seeing her move from "holiday sweater energy" to "high-stakes investigation energy" shows exactly why she’s stayed so busy.
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Essential Siobhan Murphy Filmography
If you're looking to do a deep dive, here's the stuff you actually need to watch. I'm not going to list every single background credit, because who has time for that? These are the heavy hitters:
- Murdoch Mysteries (2016–Present): You get the full Ruth Newsome experience here. Start with "Weekend at Murdoch's" to see her introduction.
- Merry Happy Whatever (2019): Perfect for when you want something light but slightly stressful. She plays Patsy.
- Cross (2024): This is where you see her range in a modern, darker setting.
- Two for the Win (2021): A classic Hallmark-style romance where she plays the lead, Claire. It’s cozy, predictable in a good way, and shows she can carry a movie as the main star.
- Max Payne (2008): One of her earlier big-screen roles. Look closely or you’ll miss her, but it’s a cool piece of her history.
- The Bold Type: She had a recurring guest spot as Cleo, which was a great look into the high-fashion corporate world.
Why She’s the Queen of Canadian TV
There is a specific kind of "working actor" who becomes a staple of the industry without becoming a tabloid fixture. That’s Murphy. She’s been in Rookie Blue, Flashpoint, Saving Hope, and Orphan Black. Basically, if a show was filmed in Toronto between 2010 and 2024, there is a 90% chance Siobhan Murphy was on set at some point.
What’s interesting is how she handles the "Christmas Movie" circuit. Films like A Nutcracker Christmas or Merry Matrimony could easily be forgettable, but she treats them with the same sincerity she brings to a drama like Spotlight.
The Nuance of the "Poor Little Rich Girl"
In an interview with TV, eh?, Murphy talked about how she researched roles like Ruth Newsome by looking at classic cinema icons like Katharine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby. She wanted to find that balance of someone who "flounces around and leaves an earthquake in her wake but comes out without a hair out of place."
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That’s a very specific skill. It requires being physically funny while staying grounded in the character's reality. Most actors overplay the "rich person" trope and it becomes a caricature. Murphy makes it feel like a personality trait rather than a costume.
What to Watch Next
If you’re new to her work, don’t just jump into the middle of a 15-season show. Start with Merry Happy Whatever on Netflix to get a feel for her modern comedic style. It’s only eight episodes, so it’s an easy weekend watch.
After that, find the "Mimico Newsome" episodes of Murdoch Mysteries. Even if you aren't into period dramas, her character arc from an entitled socialite to a woman trying to find her own way (and becoming a semi-competent nurse) is genuinely great storytelling.
If you want something more "Prestige TV," check out her episodes in The Bold Type or her recent turn in Cross. It’s the best way to see the full spectrum of what she can do. Keep an eye out for her in the background of older Canadian hits, too—half the fun is spotting her in a random episode of Degrassi or Good Witch and realizing she’s been part of your TV diet for years without you even knowing it.