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Sharon Duce
Sharon Duce
Sharon Duce
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Sharon D. Duce (born 17 January 1948) is an English actress.

Key Information

Career

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Born in Sheffield, she trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art then became a stage actress at the Sheffield Repertory Theatre, the York Theatre Royal, and the Theatre in the Round, before joining Ian McKellen and Edward Petherbridge's Actors Company. Apart from her career in film and television, she has had leading roles at the Royal Court Theatre and other West End theatres.[2]

Duce began her acting career in 1970; She made her first appearance on the short-lived ITV crime drama series Parkin's Patch, before going on to many television guest appearances throughout the decade, in shows including Armchair Theatre, Z-Cars, Play for Today and Crown Court, as well as film roles in The Tamarind Seed, which was her film debut, and Absolution. Her television guest roles continued into the 1980s in a number of mainstream productions, such as The Professionals, Minder, Tales of the Unexpected, In Loving Memory, Rockliffe, and Doctor Who. She had a main role in the short-lived ITV comedy series Funny Man, and in the BBC One series Big Deal, as Jan Oliver.

Duce was cast in the 1991 film Buddy's Song, based on the 1987 novel of the same name; she plays Carol Clark, the mother of Buddy (Chesney Hawkes), who attempts to make it as a musician with the help of Buddy's father and her estranged husband (Roger Daltrey). In 1992, she guest-appeared in the fourth series drama series of CITV drama Press Gang, followed by the leading role of Pat Hollingsworth in BBC One's Growing Pains. She appeared in The Tomorrow People, the revived version of the 1970s series, Wycliffe and Peak Practice.

In the 2000s, she has had guest roles in Playing the Field, Where the Heart Is and The Royle Family, where she made an appearance in the third series' Christmas special. She had a recurring role in London's Burning, and appearances in soap operas Emmerdale, as Millicent Rudge in 2003, and in Coronation Street as Julie Carp's mother, Paula Carp, she departed the soap on 22 May 2009.[3]

She also had multiple guest roles in long running drama series' Casualty, The Bill and Doctors.

Personal life

[edit]

She has two children with the former actor Dominic Guard, with whom she appeared in the 1978 film Absolution.[4]

Filmography

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1974 The Tamarind Seed Sandy Mitchell
1978 Absolution Louella
1981 Outland Prostitute
1989 Blackwater Summer Wife Short
1990 Shooting Stars Paula
1991 Buddy's Song Carol
1994 Super Grass Mum
1999 Rogue Trader Patsy Sims
2000 Secret Society Janice
2008 Six and Seven (unknown role) Video short
2024 Look to the Light Nan
TBA Signs of Life Joyce
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1970 Parkin's Patch Bobby Tupper Series 1, episode 17
1971 Armchair Theatre Veronica Series 13, episode 7
1971 Thirty-Minute Theatre Mirabelle Series 7, episode 5
1971 ITV Playhouse Sheila Series 5, episode 3
1971 Z-Cars WPC Cameron Series 7, episodes 30, 31 & 51
1972 Softly, Softly: Task Force Mrs. Nicholson Series 3, episode 21
1972 Scene Girl Series 4, episode 12
1972 Mistress of Hardwick Lady Series 1, episode 7
1972 Crime of Passion Yvette Series 3, episode 4
1972 Thirty-Minute Theatre Rosemary Series 7, episode 33
1972 New Scotland Yard Tricia Series 1, episode 12
1972 Villains Alice Series 1, episode 5
1973 Full House Erm in George Reborn Series 1, episode 12
1973 Away from It All Beth Series 1, episode 6
1973 Helen: A Woman of Today Carole Series 1 (7 episodes)
1975 2nd House Actress in Knots Series 2, episode 10
1975 Z-Cars Yvonne James Series 10, episode 23
1975 Dawson's Weekly Sandra Evans Series 1, episode 6
1975 The Wild West Show Sheila Series 1, episodes 1 & 4
1976 Centre Play Freda Hayes Series 3, episode 10
1976 Bill Brand Sian Series 1, episode 11
1976 Play for Today Joyce Series 7, episode 5
1976 Crown Court Sylvia Turner Series 5, episodes 60, 61 & 62
1977 The House That Jack Built Lu Miniseries (6 episodes)
1977 The Foundation Mrs. Sherwood Series 1, episode 4
1977 BBC2 Play of the Week Ada Series 1, episode 3
1978 Crown Court Anne Charlton Series 7, episodes 34, 35 & 36
1978 Send in the Girls Diane Series 1, episode 7
1978 A Woman's Place? Leila Series 1, episode 1
1978 BBC2 Play of the Week Aline Charigist Series 2, episode 11
1980–81 Coming Home Sheila Maddocks Pilot & Series 1 (6 episodes)
1980 The Professionals Annie Series 4, episode 6
1980 Minder Beryl Sharp Series 2, episode 6
1980 Premiere Mrs. Hammond Series 4, episode 2
1981 BBC2 Playhouse Bridget Series 7, episode 14
1981 Funny Man Kath Gibson Series 1 (11 episodes)
1981 Take the Stage Herself Series 1, episode 6
1982 Tales of the Unexpected Sophie Trent Series 5, episode 1
1981 In Loving Memory Hermione Hepworth Series 3, episode 6
1983 The Hard Word Vicky Clough Series 1 (6 episodes)
1983 The Bounder Doreen Series 2, episode 1
1984 Weekend Playhouse Susan Series 1, episode 7
1984–86 Big Deal Jan Oliver Series 1–3 (30 episodes)
1987 Running Wild Wanda Series 1, episode 6
1988 Casualty Thea Series 3, episode 9
1988 First Born Emily Jessop Miniseries (episode 2)
1988 Rockliffe Judy Maidment Series 3: Rockliffe's Folly, episodes 1 & 2
1988 Boon Anita Wilberforce Series 3, episode 4
1989 Singles Stephanie Series 2, episode 3
1989 Doctor Who Control Serial: "Ghost Light"
1991 The Bill Mrs. Cook Series 7, episode 21
1991 The Play on One Joan Glenn Series 4, episode 1
1992 Press Gang Katherine Hill Series 4, episodes 5 & 6
1992–93 Growing Pains Pat Hollingsworth Series 1–2 (20 episodes)
1992 Natural Lies Maggie Fell Series 1, episodes 1, 2 & 3
1994 99-1 Ronnie Series 1, episode 3
1995 The Tomorrow People Penny Weston Serial: "The Living Stones"
1995 Trafford Tanzi Tanzi's Mum TV movie short
1996 Casualty Isabel McEnery Series 10, episode 19
1996 Into the Fire Anita Miniseries (3 episodes)
1996 Shakespeare's Shorts Maria Series 1, episode 4
1996 Short Sharp Shocks Mother Series 1, episode 3
1997 Wycliffe Supt. Le Page Series 4, episodes 2, 3 & 5
1997 Peak Practice Carol-Anne Kern Series 5, episode 14
1998 The Bill Cathy Cross Series 14, episode 77
1998 Maisie Raine Eileen Slayburn Series 1, episode 6
2000 Holby City Jill O'Hanlon Series 2, episode 16
2000 Playing the Field Sheila Hurst Series 3, episode 5 & Series 4, episode 4
2000 Where the Heart Is Shelley Wilson Series 4, episodes 11 & 12
2000 The Royle Family Valerie Kavanagh Series 3, episode 7 (Christmas special)
2001–02 London's Burning Elaine Reeve Series 13–14 (18 episodes)
2001 Merseybeat Holly Ormerod Series 1, episode 9
2001 Doctors Rachel Wilson Series 3 (5 episodes)
2002 Clocking Off Vicky Sullivan Series 3, episodes 4, 6 & 8
2003 Grease Monkeys Bernie Series 1, episode 5
2003 Emmerdale Millicent Rudge 5 episodes
2004 Casualty Alesia Pamboris Series 18, episode 22
2004 Conviction Sandra Buliegh Miniseries (5 episodes)
2005 Dalziel and Pascoe Jenny Challoner Series 9, episodes 3 & 4
2006 The Royal Norma Smithson Series 5, episode 3
2006 Sorted Helena Series 1, episode 6
2008 Casualty Sheila Denham Series 22–23 (3 episodes)
2008 HolbyBlue Linda Jackson Series 2, episode 7
2008 The Bill Doreen Hutton Series 24, episode 40
2008 Missing Mrs. Susan Greenside Miniseries (2 episodes)
2009 Moving On Sue Morgan Series 1, episode 3
2009 Coronation Street Paula Carp 16 episodes
2010 A Passionate Woman Christine Miniseries (episode 2)
2012 Midsomer Murders Mandy Gideon Series 15, episode 2
2015 Doctors Celia Armstrong Series 16, episode 171
2015 Black Work Barbara Miniseries (3 episodes)
2016 Vera Marcia Series 6, episode 1
2016 Casualty Meg Stuart Series 30, episodes 26 & 27
2019 Doctors Sandra Blackwell Series 20, episode 55
Podcast series
Year Title Role Notes
2022 Cupid Hera, Fury 2

References

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Sharon Duce

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from Grokipedia
Sharon Duce (born 17 January 1950) is an English actress renowned for her versatile performances across television, , and over five decades. Born in , , she trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art before launching her professional career as a stage actress at the . Duce gained prominence in the 1980s through her lead role as Jan Oliver in the crime drama series Big Deal (1984–1986), which showcased her ability to portray strong, multifaceted women in high-stakes narratives. Her television career further expanded with recurring roles such as Paula Carp in (2009), Sheila Denham in Casualty (2007–2008), and Elaine Reeve in (2000–2002), alongside guest appearances in acclaimed series like (1998), (2012), and Vera (2016). On the big screen, she delivered notable supporting performances in films including the thriller Outland (1981) opposite , the biographical drama (1999) as Patsy Sims, and the musical Buddy's Song (1991). In theatre, Duce has excelled in both classical and contemporary works, earning critical acclaim for her portrayal of Portia in at the Playhouse and appearances in productions like Gangster Number One at the and Touched at the Royal Court Theatre. Her personal life includes a marriage to Dominic , with whom she has two children, though they later divorced. Continuing to work into her seventies, Duce remains active in the industry, with recent roles in Look to the Light (2024) and Signs of Life (2025), blending acting with interests in voice coaching and wellness practices.

Early life and education

Upbringing

Sharon Duce was born on 17 January 1950 in , , . She attended a local in during the , where her passion for first emerged. Her teacher played a pivotal role in nurturing this interest by encouraging her participation in school productions. As she later recalled, "I got into through school, my teacher introduced me to amateur dramatics and they introduced me to the local ."

Training

Sharon Duce enrolled at the in , a leading institution for professional performance training, where she pursued formal education in . The academy's curriculum emphasized core disciplines such as , voice, movement, and text analysis, providing students with a foundation in both classical and contemporary theatre techniques. Her training was shaped by influential mentorship from drama teachers at her school, who sparked her interest in and encouraged her pursuit of professional study.

Career

Theatre

Sharon Duce began her stage career in the mid- with in her native , making her professional debut as A Young Girl/Theatre Student in The Stirrings in Sheffield on Saturday Night at the Playhouse with the Repertory Company on 31 May 1966. She continued in regional repertory during the late and early , performing at venues such as the Theatre Royal and the Library Theatre in Scarborough, where she honed her skills in ensemble productions blending drama and comedy. These early roles established her versatility, allowing her to transition from youthful supporting parts to more demanding leads in both contemporary and classical works. In the 1970s, Duce joined the Actors' Company, a prominent British ensemble known for innovative interpretations of classic texts, where she took on significant dramatic roles. She portrayed Julia opposite Ian McKellen's Kruschov in Anton Chekhov's The Wood Demon, directed by David Giles, during a tour that ran from 21 August 1973 to 13 April 1974, including stops at the Edinburgh Festival, Wimbledon Theatre, and the in New York. With the same company, she played in William Shakespeare's on a 1974 tour and Lady Mortimer in , showcasing her command of Shakespearean verse and emotional depth. Later that decade, she appeared as Chorus/Jack in a double bill of ' and The Beanstalk from June to October 1975, touring the from Wimbledon Theatre, further demonstrating her range in adapted for modern audiences. Duce's collaborations with Alan Ayckbourn in the late 1960s marked her entry into acclaimed comedic at the playwright's Theatre in the Round in Scarborough. She played Violet Deirdre in Ayckbourn's The Dynamic Death-Defying Leap of Timothy Satupon the Great, which he also directed, at the Library Theatre from 23 June to 20 August 1969, contributing to the intimate, innovative staging that defined the venue. This period laid the groundwork for her later West End successes, where she balanced comedy and drama. In 1971, she starred as in E.A. Whitehead's at the from 17 March to 3 April, transferring to the until 19 June, earning praise for her portrayal in this intimate drama about fractured relationships. Duce returned to the for leads in Tibetan Inroads and Touched, both directed by Bill Gaskill, underscoring her affinity for politically charged contemporary plays. Her West End career peaked in the and 1990s with roles highlighting her comedic timing and dramatic intensity. She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Portia in at the Playhouse, directed by Miles Hoyle. As a replacement in Sharman Macdonald's When I Was a Girl I Used to Scream and Shout at the Whitehall Theatre in 1987, Duce brought emotional nuance to the mother-daughter dynamics in this . In 1995, she played Mel in and David Scinto's gritty at the from 31 August to 7 October, opposite and Richard Johnson, delivering a compelling performance in this raw exploration of London's criminal underworld that later inspired a . Throughout her career, Duce's work emphasized live audience interaction and textual precision, contributing to British theatre's evolution through her sustained presence in repertory, classical revivals, and new writing.

Television

Sharon Duce began her television career in the early 1970s with guest appearances in British drama series. In 1970, she debuted in the ITV crime drama Parkin's Patch, portraying Bobby Tupper in the episode "Regulation 17," a role that marked her entry into scripted television narratives. She followed this with a part as Carole in the BBC serial Helen: A Woman of Today in 1973, playing the younger woman involved in the central character's marital turmoil, which highlighted her ability to handle complex interpersonal dynamics in episodic formats. By 1975, Duce appeared in Z Cars as Yvonne James in the episode "Incitement," contributing to the long-running police procedural's exploration of community conflicts. Duce achieved a significant breakthrough in the mid-1980s with her leading role as Jan Oliver in the comedy-drama Big Deal, which aired from 1984 to 1986 across three series totaling 30 episodes. In the series, she played the resilient partner of a compulsive gambler, navigating the highs and lows of London's underworld with sharp wit and emotional depth, establishing her as a versatile performer in ongoing serial storytelling. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Duce took on notable guest and recurring roles that showcased her range in science fiction, action, and family comedy. In 1989, she portrayed the enigmatic Control in the serial Ghost Light, a three-part story set in a Victorian mansion where her character manipulated events with authoritative menace, adding to the show's legacy of intricate character-driven plots. From 2001 to 2002, she had a recurring role as Elaine Reeve in , appearing in series 13 and 14 of the firefighting drama, where her portrayal of a strong-willed community member brought grounded realism to the high-stakes emergency scenarios. In 2000, Duce guest-starred as Valerie Kavanagh in the Christmas special of , contributing to the show's humorous depiction of working-class family gatherings during the holiday season. Duce's television work extended into prominent British soap operas in the 2000s, emphasizing her adaptability to long-form ensemble casts. She appeared as Millicent Rudge in in 2003, delivering a memorable guest turn in the rural drama's ongoing saga of village life. In 2009, she played Paula Carp, the outspoken mother of established character , across several episodes of from February to May, injecting familial tension into the Weatherfield storyline. In 2008, she appeared as Sheila Denham in three episodes of Casualty. She guest-starred as Mandy Gideon in the episode "Murder of Innocence" (2012) and as Marcia in the Vera episode "Dark Road" (2016). In the 2020s, Duce has maintained an active presence in contemporary television, particularly in medical dramas. She has portrayed Doreen in multiple episodes of the BBC's Doctors, including appearances in 2024 such as "A ," where her character navigates community crime and personal vulnerabilities within the series' everyday healthcare narratives. These roles underscore her enduring contribution to episodic television, blending dramatic intensity with relatable character work.

Film

Sharon Duce's film career spans over five decades, beginning with supporting roles in international thrillers and dramas during the 1970s. Her screen debut came in 1974 with the romantic espionage film , directed by , where she portrayed Sandy Mitchell, a friend of the protagonist played by , amid a plot involving a British civil servant and a Soviet agent during a vacation. The film, also starring , marked Duce's entry into feature cinema with a production noted for its lush visuals and tense intrigue. In 1978, Duce appeared in the psychological horror-drama , directed by Anthony Page, taking on the role of Louella, a school staff member entangled in a web of confessions and madness at a boys' . Co-starring as the tormented priest and young actor as one of the students, the film explored themes of guilt and manipulation, earning praise for its atmospheric tension and Burton's intense performance. Duce's involvement in higher-profile cinema continued into the with a supporting role in the thriller Outland (1981), directed by . Set on a mining colony, the film featured as a marshall combating corporate corruption, and Duce's brief but memorable appearance as a prostitute highlighted the harsh, gritty underbelly of the outpost's society. This role showcased her versatility in genre films, contributing to the production's success, which grossed over $16 million worldwide.) Transitioning to more character-driven narratives in the , Duce played Carol, the supportive mother of aspiring musician Buddy, in the 1991 comedy-drama Buddy's Song, directed by Claude Whatham. Starring in the title role and The Who's as his father, the film followed a family's pursuit of pop stardom against personal hardships, with Duce's portrayal adding emotional depth to the domestic dynamics. Later that decade, she portrayed Patsy Sims, a key figure in the financial scandal, in the 1999 biographical drama , directed by James Dearden and starring as disgraced trader . Based on real events leading to the collapse of , Duce's role supported the film's examination of greed and hubris in the . In recent years, Duce has returned to the screen in independent British dramas. She played the grandmotherly Nan in Look to the Light (2024), directed by Christopher Manoe, a story of love, loss, and social media's impact on relationships starring . The film received attention for its timely critique of influencer culture. Her latest role is as Joyce, a vibrant holidaymaker aiding a grieving traveler, in the 2025 drama Signs of Life, written and directed by . Set in , the film blends introspection and suspense, with Duce's performance contributing to its poignant exploration of mid-life reinvention and human connection.

Personal life

Marriages

Sharon Duce was married to documentary filmmaker David Munro from 1970 until their divorce, the exact date of which is not publicly documented. During their marriage, they co-founded Celandine Productions and Duce appeared in their first project, a film adaptation of R.D. Laing's Knots. In the late 1970s, Duce married actor , whom she met on the set of the 1978 film , in which they co-starred as romantic leads. They later divorced. Duce has had no further marriages.

Family

Sharon Duce has two children with her former husband : a son named William Guard and a named Bea Guard. Birth years for both children remain private. Through her marriage to Guard, Duce became the former sister-in-law to actors and , as well as Candy Guard. She is also the aunt to Daisy Dunlop and Rosy Guard, children of and . Duce balanced her acting career during its peak years in the 1970s and 1980s with raising her young children, often managing family responsibilities alongside professional commitments and involvement in community activities like the Supporters Club. For instance, she crafted badges for the supporters' club in her kitchen after putting her children to bed, highlighting the practical challenges of integrating motherhood with her demanding schedule. In the years following the , has maintained a high degree of regarding her family life, sharing limited personal details in public interviews and focusing instead on her professional endeavors.
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