If you’ve watched any high-quality British television in the last five years, you have seen Lorraine Ashbourne. You might not have known her name immediately—though that’s changing fast—but you definitely felt her presence. She is one of those rare actors who can vanish into a role so completely that when she pops up in something new, it takes a second to realize, "Wait, is that the woman from Bridgerton?"
She's everywhere. Literally. From the glitzy ballrooms of the Regency era to the gritty, rain-slicked streets of Nottingham, Ashbourne has become a sort of "prestige TV" seal of quality. Honestly, if her name is in the opening credits, the show is probably going to be great.
But what are the must-watch tv shows with lorraine ashbourne that actually define her career? It’s not just about a long list of credits; it’s about how she manages to steal scenes from some of the biggest stars in the world.
The Chameleon of the Peak TV Era
Most people recognize her now as Mrs. Varley in Bridgerton. It’s a fun, slightly gossipy role where she plays the Featherington housekeeper. She handles the family's chaotic finances and scandals with a dry wit and a raised eyebrow that says more than three pages of dialogue. It’s a supporting role, sure, but she makes Mrs. Varley feel like the only sane person in a house full of neon-colored dresses and questionable life choices.
Then you flip the channel and see her in Sherwood.
The difference is staggering. In Sherwood, she plays Daphne Sparrow, a woman living in a mining town haunted by the 1984 strikes. Without spoiling too much, Daphne is a character built on decades of secrets. Ashbourne plays her with this incredible, simmering tension. You can see the weight of the past in the way she holds her shoulders. It’s a masterclass in "quiet" acting. She doesn't need to scream to show you that her character is terrified or resolute. She just exists in the space, and you can’t look away.
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Breaking Down the Essential TV Shows with Lorraine Ashbourne
If you're looking to binge her best work, you have to start with the big hitters. She isn't just a "procedural" actress; she picks projects that have real meat on their bones.
1. Alma’s Not Normal (2020–2024)
This might be her best role. Period. She plays Grandma Joan, a leopard-print-wearing, vodka-drinking, chain-smoking force of nature. It’s a comedy, but it’s a heavy one. Joan is the rock for her granddaughter Alma (Sophie Willan), but she’s also a deeply flawed woman who has survived a lot of trauma.
The way Ashbourne balances the "vulgar and sexy" side of Joan with the heartbreaking reality of a woman facing a terminal diagnosis in the second series is just... wow. It’s rare to see a grandmother character on TV who is allowed to be this vibrant and messy.
2. The Crown (2019)
Remember Barbara Castle? The formidable Labour politician who went toe-to-toe with Harold Wilson? That was Ashbourne. She joined the cast in Season 3 and brought a grounded, gritty energy to a show that can sometimes feel a bit too much like a museum exhibit. She made Castle feel like a real person—ambitious, tired, and incredibly sharp.
3. After the Flood (2024)
In this ITV thriller, she plays Molly Marshall. It’s a more traditional "mother" role on the surface, but Ashbourne gives it a toughness that feels authentic to a small-town setting. When the town is hit by a devastating flood and a body is found, she becomes a central pillar of the mystery. It’s a great example of her ability to ground a high-stakes plot in human emotion.
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4. Unforgotten (2017)
If you like cold-case mysteries, you’ve likely seen her in Series 2 of Unforgotten. She plays DI Tessa Nixon. The brilliance of this show is how it humanizes the suspects and those connected to the victim. Ashbourne's performance is layered; she plays a woman whose past is slowly being unraveled, and watching her composure crack is some of the best television of that year.
Why Producers Keep Calling Her
There is a specific kind of reliability Lorraine Ashbourne brings to a set. She’s been in the business since the late 80s, starting with shows like The Bill and Casualty. She’s done the "gritty British drama" apprenticeship.
But there’s something else. She has this "lived-in" quality. Whether she’s playing a high-ranking politician or a woman living in a caravan, you believe her. She doesn't look like she spent four hours in a makeup chair (unless the character demands it, like in Bridgerton). She looks like your neighbor, your aunt, or that terrifying boss you once had.
She also has a fantastic partnership off-screen with her husband, Andy Serkis. They’ve even acted together at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. You can tell she’s a theater-trained actor because her voice projection and physical presence are so deliberate. Every movement has a purpose.
What’s Next: Riot Women and Beyond
As we move into 2026, her streak isn't slowing down. She’s starring in Riot Women, a show about a group of women who form a punk rock band in their 50s. It’s written by Sally Wainwright (of Happy Valley fame), so you know it’s going to be sharp, funny, and incredibly human. Ashbourne plays Jess, the drummer.
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Think about that range for a second:
- A Regency housekeeper.
- A secret undercover cop in a mining town.
- A foul-mouthed, dying grandmother.
- A 50-something punk rock drummer.
Most actors get pigeonholed into one "vibe." Ashbourne has managed to avoid that entirely.
The Ashbourne Viewing Strategy
If you want to truly appreciate her work, don't just watch one show. Contrast them.
Start with an episode of Bridgerton to see her comic timing and how she handles "period" dialogue. Then immediately switch to Alma’s Not Normal. The whiplash you’ll feel seeing her go from the refined Mrs. Varley to the chaotic Grandma Joan is the best testament to her talent.
Where to Find Her Top Performances
- Netflix: Bridgerton, The Crown.
- BBC iPlayer: Sherwood, Alma’s Not Normal, Riot Women.
- ITVX: After the Flood, Unforgotten.
She isn't just a "supporting actress" anymore. She's the reason people are tuning in. In a world of "content" that feels increasingly generated by a committee, seeing an actor like Lorraine Ashbourne—someone who feels real, grounded, and slightly dangerous—is a breath of fresh air.
If you want to dive deeper into her filmography, check out her earlier work like Playing the Field from the late 90s. It was a show about a women's football team, and it shows that she's been a powerhouse for decades, even if the "mainstream" is only just catching up. Take an evening to watch the first two episodes of Sherwood Season 2; her face-off with Monica Dolan is basically an acting masterclass that doesn't cost a tuition fee.