Who is Pauline Quirke? Pauline Quirke is a celebrated English actress whose career spans over five decades. Born on July 8, 1959, in Stoke Newington, London, she began acting at a young age, attending the Anna Scher Theatre School. Her first role was as a child arsonist in Dixon of Dock Green at just 11 years old. Quirke's breakthrough came with her own live TV chat show, Pauline’s People, at 15. She is best known for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in the BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather. Quirke's versatility has earned her numerous awards and nominations, including a BAFTA TV Award nomination for The Sculptress.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Pauline Quirke's journey in the entertainment world began at a young age. Her early life and initial steps into acting laid the foundation for a remarkable career.
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Early Life and Education: Born on July 8, 1959, in Stoke Newington, London, Pauline Quirke grew up with her mother. She attended the Anna Scher Theatre School, where her passion for acting blossomed.
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First Role: At just 11 years old, Quirke landed her first acting role as a child arsonist in the television series Dixon of Dock Green.
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Breakthrough Role: By age 15, she was hosting her own live TV chat show, Pauline’s People, marking a significant milestone in her career.
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Comedy Debut: Her first real comedy role came in 1975 with the television series You Must Be Joking!.
Rise to Fame
Pauline Quirke's rise to fame was marked by a series of notable roles and performances that showcased her versatility and talent.
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Television Career: Quirke began her television career with various roles in shows such as Jenny Can't Work Any Faster and Shadows in the early 1970s.
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Own Comedy Sketch Show: In 1976, she fronted her own comedy sketch show, Pauline’s Quirkes, on Thames Television, featuring pop music, teenage topics, and comedy sketches.
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Early Television Shows: Some of her early television shows include Beasts, Angels, and The Duchess of Duke Street in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
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The Elephant Man: Quirke appeared in the 1980 film The Elephant Man, playing a minor role as a second whore.
Iconic Roles
Quirke's career is dotted with iconic roles that have left a lasting impact on British television.
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Shine on Harvey Moon: From 1984 to 1995, she played Veronica in the television series Shine on Harvey Moon, a recurring role that spanned over a decade.
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Birds of a Feather: Her big break came in 1989 when she began playing Sharon Theodopolopodous in the BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather. This role earned her a British Comedy Award and multiple National Television Award nominations.
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The Sculptress: In 1996, Quirke starred in the BBC television adaptation of The Sculptress by Minette Walters, receiving critical acclaim and a BAFTA TV Award nomination for Best Actress.
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Maisie Raine: From 1998 to 1999, she played DI Maisie Raine in the BBC drama series Maisie Raine, showcasing her versatility in dramatic roles.
Continued Success
Even after her initial rise to fame, Quirke continued to deliver memorable performances across various genres.
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Down to Earth: From 2000 to 2003, she starred opposite Warren Clarke in the BBC series Down to Earth.
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Office Gossip: In 2000, Quirke starred in the BBC sitcom Office Gossip, earning a National Television Award nomination for Most Popular Comedy Performer.
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Being April: She appeared in the comedy drama Being April in 2002, demonstrating her ability to handle both comedy and drama.
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Carrie’s War: In 2004, Quirke starred in the television film Carrie’s War, showcasing her range in period dramas.
Versatility in Roles
Quirke's ability to take on diverse roles has been a hallmark of her career.
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The Bill: In 2005, she played Cathy Wilson in The Bill, a recurring role that highlighted her ability to portray complex characters.
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The Thieving Headmistress: In 2006, Quirke appeared in The Thieving Headmistress, a television film that added to her diverse filmography.
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Cold Blood: From 2007 to 2008, she played DI Hazel Norton in Cold Blood, showcasing her detective skills on screen.
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Missing: In 2009 and 2010, Quirke played the lead role of DS Mary Jane "MJ" Croft in the BBC daytime drama series Missing, heading a Missing Persons Unit.
Later Career and Personal Life
As her career progressed, Quirke continued to take on significant roles while also focusing on her personal life and philanthropic efforts.
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Emmerdale: Quirke joined the rural soap opera Emmerdale as Hazel Rhodes in 2010, a character she played until 2012.
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Broadchurch: From 2013 to 2015, she had a recurring role as Susan Wright in ITV’s Broadchurch, appearing alongside David Tennant and Olivia Colman.
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You, Me and the Apocalypse: In 2015, Quirke played Paula Winton in the ten-part comedy thriller You, Me and the Apocalypse for Sky1.
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Awards and Nominations: Throughout her career, Quirke has been nominated for several awards, including a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for her role in The Sculptress, as well as multiple British Comedy Awards and National Television Awards.
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Personal Life: Quirke is married to producer Steve Sheen, who also worked on Birds of a Feather as an executive producer from 2014 until 2017. Her son Charlie appeared as Travis in Birds of a Feather from 2014 until 2017.
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Retirement Announcement: In January 2025, her husband announced that Quirke would be retiring from all professional and commercial duties due to a diagnosis of dementia in 2021.
Philanthropy and Legacy
Beyond her acting career, Quirke has made significant contributions to the performing arts and charitable causes.
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The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts: In 2007, Quirke set up The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, an extracurricular centre for young people who want to learn performing arts. The academy operates at over 200 locations in the United Kingdom.
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Philanthropy: Quirke has been involved in various charitable causes throughout her career, using her platform to inspire and support young people in the performing arts.
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Legacy: With a career spanning over 50 years, Quirke has left an indelible mark on British television and film. Her iconic role as Sharon Theodopolopodous in Birds of a Feather remains one of her most beloved performances.
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Honors and Recognition: In 2022, Quirke was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to young people, the entertainment industry, and charity.
Pauline Quirke: A Remarkable Journey
Pauline Quirke's career is nothing short of extraordinary. From her early days at the Anna Scher Theatre School to her iconic role in Birds of a Feather, she's become a beloved figure in British entertainment. Her versatility shines through roles in The Sculptress, Maisie Raine, and Broadchurch. Beyond acting, Quirke's dedication to young talent through The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts has made a lasting impact. Despite her recent retirement due to dementia, her legacy endures. With numerous awards and an MBE for her contributions, Quirke's influence on TV, film, and young performers is undeniable. Her journey, marked by talent, resilience, and generosity, continues to inspire. Pauline Quirke's story is a testament to the power of passion and dedication in the arts.
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