Sheila McCarthy
Biography
Sheila McCarthy is a Canadian stage, film, and television actress, singer, and dancer born on January 1, 1956, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a graduate in Theatre and Art History from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Her known roles include playing Polly Vandersma in the feature film I've Heard the Mermaids Singing and supporting character Sarah Hamoudi, also known as Sarah Cunningham, in the television series Little Mosque on the Prairie. During her career, she has earned multiple nominations and won two Genie Awards for film, two Gemini Awards for television, and two Dora Awards for theater.
Career overview
Sheila McCarthy is a Canadian stage, film, and television actress, singer, and dancer who was born on January 1, 1956, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a graduate in Theatre and Art History from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Over the course of her career, she has accumulated 112 known acting credits in movies and television shows.
McCarthy is best known for playing the role of Polly Vandersma in the feature film I've Heard the Mermaids Singing. In addition to her film work, she is recognized for playing the supporting character Sarah Hamoudi, also known as Sarah Cunningham, in the television series Little Mosque on the Prairie.
Throughout her career, McCarthy has received recognition across multiple entertainment mediums. She has won two Genie Awards for her work in film, two Gemini Awards for her work in television, and two Dora Awards for her work in the theater. In addition to these wins, she has earned multiple nominations across her career in stage, film, and television.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
115 titles- The Miniature Wife (2026)
- The Voices of Our Mother (2026) as Harriet
- The Well (2026) as Gabriel
- Surfacing (2026) as Dawn
- All the Lost Ones (2025) as Dawn
- Love Is the Monster (2025) as Margaret
- Dancing on the Elephant (2025) as Nora
- Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3 (2022) as Hologram Alien Scout
- Women Talking (2022) as Greta
- Christmas in Rockwell (2022) as Juniper
- Like a House on Fire (2021) as Katherine
- The Middle Man (2021) as Mrs. Stout
- Stroke of Fate (2021) as Shirley
- Nurses (2020) as Phillis Bruner
- The Broken Hearts Gallery (2020) as Cheryl Gulliver
- Anything for Jackson (2020) as Audrey Walsh
- Happy Place (2020) as Joyce
- The Umbrella Academy (2019) as Agnes
- The Christmas Club (2019) as Miss Maggie
- Isabelle (2019) as Ann Pelway
- Christmas 9 to 5 (2019) as Rose Stark
- An Assortment of Christmas Tales in No Particular Order (2019) as Ellen
- The Detail (2018) as Helen Mailer
- Level 16 (2018) as Mrs. Denison
- Still/Born (2018) as Sheila
- The Good Doctor (2017) as Rose Babcock
- Star Trek: Discovery (2017) as All-Mother
- The Definites (2017) Executive Producer
- Russet Season (2017) Director
- Cardinals (2017) as Valerie Walker
- Considering Love and Other Magic (2017) as Veronica
- Private Eyes (2016) as Shirl Glinski
- Conviction (2016) as Dr. Jane Soto
- Ice Girls (2016) as Aunt Ginger
- Milton's Secret (2016) as Luz
- Brace for Impact (2016) as Faradee Gilchrist
- Whatever, Linda (2015) as Sheila Hardy
- A Fighting Man (2014) as Rose O'Connor
- Dear Viola (2014) as Peggy
- Algonquin (2014) as Rita
- Orphan Black (2013) as Connie Hendrix
- Orphan Black (2013) as Connie Hendrix (voice)
- Saving Hope (2012) as Violet Devonshire
- Antiviral (2012) as Dev Harvey
- Rookie Blue (2010) as Leigh Senett
- Year of the Carnivore (2009) as Mrs. Smalls
- Little Mosque on the Prairie (2007) as Sarah Hamoudi
- The Stone Angel (2007) as Doris
- Breakfast with Scot (2007) as Miss Patterson (uncredited)
- Cow Belles (2006) as Fran Walker
- Bailey's Billion$ (2005) as Peggy Delaney
- This Is Wonderland (2004)
- The Day After Tomorrow (2004) as Judith
- Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004) as Mrs. Gerard
- Being Julia (2004) as Grace Dexter
- Geraldine's Fortune (2004) as Tina Larose
- Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004) as Polly Vandersma (archive footage)
- Full-Court Miracle (2003) as Mrs. Klein
- Puppets Who Kill (2002)
- Lathe of Heaven (2002) as Penny
- The Rats (2002) as Miss Paige
- Duct Tape Forever (2002) as Easterbrook (uncredited)
- Haven (2001) as Eva
- Rare Birds (2001) as Claire
- Haven (2001) as Eva
- Super Rupert (2001) as Aunt Rhonda
- I Was a Rat (2001) as Mrs. Tapscrew
- Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse (2000) as Elizabeth the Emotional Pig (voice)
- Custody of the Heart (2000) as Alice
- Virtual Mom (2000) as Holly
- Virtual Mom (2000) Teleplay
- Virtual Mom (2000) Executive Producer
- Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke (1999) as Tammy
- You Know My Name (1999) as Mrs. Lynn
- Bad Dog (1998) as (voice)
- Emily of New Moon (1998) as Laura Murray
- More Tales of the City (1998) as Mildred
- Dead Husbands (1998) as Jane Armitage
- Shadow Zone: My Teacher Ate My Homework (1997) as Jesse's Mom
- House Arrest (1996) as Gwenna Krupp
- The Care and Handling of Roses (1996) as Carol Doster
- A Woman of Independent Means (1995) as Totsie
- The Possession of Michael D. (1995) as Jenny
- The Awakening (1995) as Nancy
- Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills (1994) as Jill Lansing
- The Biggest Little Ticket (1994) as The Troll
- The Lotus Eaters (1993) as Diana Kingswood
- Journey to the Planets (1993) as Oracle (voice)
- Picket Fences (1992) as Sue Walsh
- A Private Matter (1992) as Diane Callaghan
- Liza Minnelli - Live from Radio City Music Hall (1992) as Self
- Beethoven Lives Upstairs (1992) as Sophie
- The Hidden Room (1991)
- Stepping Out (1991) as Andy
- Paradise (1991) as Sally Pike
- Montreal Stories (1991) as Ann Stuart
- The Soulmates in the Gift of Light (1991) as (voice)
- Die Hard 2 (1990) as Samantha 'Sam' Coleman
- Pacific Heights (1990) as Liz Hamilton
- Bright Angel (1990) as Nina
- Beautiful Dreamers (1990) as Molly Jessop
- White Room (1990) as Zelda
- Back to the Beanstalk (1990) as Garbanza
- Friends, Lovers, & Lunatics (1989) as Kathy
- George's Island (1989) as Miss Birdwood
- Much Ado About Nothing (1988) as Margaret
- I've Heard the Mermaids Singing (1987) as Polly Vandersma
- A Nest of Singing Birds (1987) as Anna
- Four on the Floor (1986)
- Really Weird Tales (1986) as Ellie Hutchins (segment "Cursed With Charisma")
- The Marriage Bed (1986) as Lynn Reailly
- 9B (1986) as Heather
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) as Debra (Sarah) Hollister
- The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985) as Francine
- Love & Larceny (1985) as Mary Bigley
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Sheila McCarthy best known for?
Sheila McCarthy is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Voices of Our Mother (2026), Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3 (2022), Women Talking (2022), Nurses (2020).
When and where was Sheila McCarthy born?
Sheila McCarthy was born on January 1, 1956 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
How many credits does Sheila McCarthy have?
Sheila McCarthy has accumulated over 115 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1985 to 2026.
What is Sheila McCarthy's background in cinema and television?
Sheila McCarthy is a Canadian stage, film, and television actress, singer, and dancer born on January 1, 1956, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is a graduate in Theatre and Art History from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. Her known roles include playing Polly Vandersma in the feature film I've H...
Sheila McCarthy by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Umbrella Academy (2019) as Agnes — aged about 63
- The Good Doctor (2017) as Rose Babcock — aged about 61
- This Is Wonderland (2004) — aged about 48
- Orphan Black (2013) as Connie Hendrix — aged about 57
- Orphan Black (2013) as Connie Hendrix (voice) — aged about 57
- Rookie Blue (2010) as Leigh Senett — aged about 54
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