You’ve definitely seen her. Maybe she was the doomed, elegant nanny in a haunted mansion, or perhaps the rookie cop caught in a ethical tailspin on a London rooftop. Tahirah Sharif has this way of commanding the screen without ever needing to shout. She’s subtle.
Honestly, the British actress has been putting in the work for over a decade. While some people think she just popped up out of nowhere in a Netflix horror hit, the reality is a long list of credits involving everything from medical soaps to royal holiday rom-coms.
If you are trying to map out the Tahirah Sharif movies and tv shows worth your time, you have to look past the "ghost girl" label. She’s much more than a genre actress.
The Breakthrough: From Waterloo Road to Bly Manor
For many UK viewers, the introduction to Sharif happened back in 2015. She played Carrie Norton in Waterloo Road. It was a solid ten-episode run. You might remember her character dealing with the return of her brother, played by none other than Regé-Jean Page before he became a Bridgerton heartthrob.
But then came 2020. Everything changed with The Haunting of Bly Manor.
Playing Rebecca Jessel wasn't just another role. It was a masterclass in portraying "tragic intelligence." Rebecca wasn't a victim because she was weak; she was a victim because she was ambitious and found herself tangled with the wrong person.
The chemistry between Sharif and Oliver Jackson-Cohen was electric, but also deeply uncomfortable to watch. It’s the kind of performance that sticks with you long after the credits roll. It basically catapulted her into the global spotlight.
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Moving Into Heavy Hitter Territory: The Tower
If Bly Manor made her a "one to watch," then The Tower made her an established powerhouse.
In this ITV crime thriller, she plays PC Lizzie Adama. The first season kicks off with a horrific incident where a veteran cop and a teenage girl fall from a tower block. Lizzie is the only witness left on the roof.
It’s intense.
Sharif managed to capture that specific "new cop" anxiety—where you want to do the right thing but the system is actively crushing you. Her performance was so grounded that she bagged a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress. That’s huge.
Most people don't realize how competitive that category is. It’s not just "TV good"—it’s elite.
A Quick Look at the Career Timeline
- 2012: One Night (Madison) – A gritty BBC drama that showed she could handle realism.
- 2013-2014: Casualty (Ella Ashford) – The classic "troubled teen" daughter of a regular.
- 2017-2019: A Christmas Prince Trilogy (Melissa) – Yes, she was in the Netflix royal movies! She played the best friend/stylist. It’s light, it’s fluffy, and it proves she has range.
- 2021-2024: The Tower (Lizzie Adama) – Three seasons of increasingly complex police work.
- 2023: A Town Called Malice (Cindy Carter) – A total pivot into 80s neon-soaked crime on the Costa del Sol.
Why A Town Called Malice Was Different
If you haven't seen A Town Called Malice, you're missing out on a very different side of her.
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As Cindy Carter, she’s part of a crime family fleeing to Spain. It’s loud, it’s colorful, and it’s a far cry from the muted tones of a haunted house. Sharif has mentioned in interviews that she actually prefers roles that scare her a bit. Cindy was a chance to be bold and "multifaceted" in a way we hadn't seen yet.
The show didn't get the same massive US traction as Bly Manor, but for fans of the "British gangsters abroad" subgenre, her performance is a standout.
The "Secret" Filmography: Short Films and Horror
Beyond the big series, Tahirah Sharif has stayed active in the indie film scene.
In 2022, she starred in Escape the Field. It’s a survival thriller—six strangers wake up in a cornfield with random items. It’s sort of Saw meets Children of the Corn. Is it high art? No. But it’s a fun watch if you like seeing her navigate high-tension scenarios.
She also did The Kindred (2021), playing a woman haunted by spirits after her father's suicide. Clearly, she’s comfortable in the horror-thriller space.
What’s Next for Tahirah Sharif?
As of 2026, Sharif is leaning further into lead roles. She’s moved past the "supporting best friend" phase of her career.
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There are rumors about her moving into more action-oriented roles. She’s expressed interest in utilizing more physical skills on screen. Considering how well she handled the tension in The Tower, an action-thriller seems like the logical next step.
How to Watch Her Best Work
If you want the full Tahirah Sharif experience, start here:
- The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix): Essential viewing.
- The Tower (ITV/BritBox): To see why the critics love her.
- A Christmas Prince (Netflix): If you just want something cozy for a Sunday afternoon.
Her career trajectory is one of the most interesting ones to follow right now because she hasn't been pigeonholed. She can play the romantic lead, the grieving ghost, or the morally conflicted detective without breaking a sweat.
The best way to stay updated is to keep an eye on British drama announcements from ITV and Sky, as that seems to be where she’s doing her most "fearless" work lately. If you're a fan of character-driven drama, she's an actress you need on your radar.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking for a new binge-watch, start The Tower on BritBox or ITVX. It’s often overlooked compared to Line of Duty, but Sharif's performance provides a much more human, grounded look at modern policing.