Siobhan Hewlett

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Siobhán Hewlett is an Irish film, television, radio and theatre actress as well as being a writer, producer, poet and artist. Siobhán hails from a theatrical dynasty stretching back to the 1800s.

Background and early life[]

Her great grandparents 'Loch & Lomond' were Variety and Vaudevillian performers, as were her grandparents who met whilst performing for the judges and diplomats at the Nuremberg War Trials (introduced by their mutual agent and her godfather, Lew Grade. Siobhan's grandmother was the last remaining captain of the Bluebell girls - the high kicking can can troupe who danced her way from Ireland around Europe and South America in the 20's and 30's, working with Mistinguett, Josephine Baker Maurice Chevalier and Jacques Tati.

Her grandfather, was a slapstick comic whose act involved multiple back flips off walls. Her great aunts, sisters Karina and Eve, were contortionists. Siobhan's father, Donald Hewlett, was an actor best known for It Ain't Half Hot Mum. Siobhan's mother, Thérèse McMurray was a child star and lead in the hospital-based drama Emergency Ward 10.

Educated in England, Hewlett attended Wellesley House School , Downe House School and The King's School, Canterbury on art scholarships. A period of family ill health during Siobhán's childhood meant that she became her family's main carer. Whilst at The King's School, Canterbury she was spotted in a production by the theatrical agent Hamilton Hodell, turned down a place at Cambridge to read English and subsequently won a scholarship to study acting at the prestigious Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London for their 3 year classical acting diploma course.

Hewlett supported herself through drama school by waitressing, singing and playing her guitar in Jazz clubs around London.

Career[]

Whilst still at drama school at 19, Hewlett was chosen by French film director Antoine de Caunes to play the leading role in Monsieur N, a role that required she learnt French.

Shortly afterwards Hewlett starred in the British comedy series Fortysomething opposite Hugh Laurie and Benedict Cumberbatch for ITV. Hewlett and Cumberbatch were old family friends - Wanda Ventham, Cumberbatch's Mother and Hewlett's Father had starred opposite each in London's West End.

Hewlett made her professional stage debut at The Finborough Theatre in London - starring opposite Chris O'Dowd, Clarke Peters and Daniela Nardini in Etta Jenks. Directed by Che Walker.

Starring in multiple award-winning shows after this, including - BBC BAFTA winning 'The Canterbury Tales' opposite Julie Walters and Bill Nighy. 'The Virgin Queen' opposite Tom Hardy and Anne Marie Duff.

To great acclaim Hewlett made her West end stage debut at the Donmar Warehouse in Christopher Hampton's hit play The Philanthropist Where she starred opposite Simon Russell Beale, Simon Day and Danny Webb. "The luscious and accomplished Araminta was played by the luscious and accomplished Siobhan Hewlett, whose electrifying stage presence would have stolen any other show." -The independent "And can there have been a funnier seduction scene when Siobhan Hewlett, who gives the vamp the perfect amount of boisterous blankness, ruffles Simon Russell Beale's hair."- The Times Hewlett and Russel Beale won the South Bank show award for comedy.

Subsequently, Hewlett continued to star in Film and TV roles including indie hit Irina Palm, opposite Marianne Faithfull and Kevin Bishop which won the audience prize at The Berlin international Film Festival. Hewlett continued working with her old family friend Cumberbatch when she guest starred in the first episode of award-winning ' Sherlock' and hit series 'Parades End'.

Hewlett featured in Vogue 100 list in 2005 as one of the UK stars of tomorrow and in 2006 was photographed by Rankin for Vanity Fair as part of their rising stars collection, as well as being named by ID magazine as Jean Paul Gautier and Jenny Packham's muse.

Siobhan took a significant career break however and resumed her caring role to look after her dying Father and her Mother, subsequent to her Mother's stage four cancer diagnosis.

As her Mother's health stabilised, Hewlett spent some time in LA, attending Groundlings Improv school as well as performing with LA Theatre works opposite Jared Harris, Susan Sullivan, Martin Jarvis and Rosalind Ayres. During this period Hewlett started working with legendary comic book writer Alan Moore (Watchmen, V for Vendetta) and photographer/director Mitch Jenkins. Hewlett starred as journalist Faith Harrington - a role created by Moore for her - in a series of occult noir films - the first of which, was 'Act of Faith'. Hewlett became exec producer on the series , 'Showpieces' and subsequent feature starring opposite Tom Burke as Fletcher Dennis. 'The Show' was to premiere at SXSW 2020.

Hewlett studied playwriting at The Royal Court Theatre's prestigious Young Writers program under acclaimed playwright Simon Stephens.

She splits her time between her home in the West of Ireland where she writes and surfs and London.

Hewlett has a production company with her brother, Director/Producer Patrick Hewlett as well as her own company Oyster Films.

Theatre[]

Hewlett's theatre credits include Kitty in Etta Jenks and the Finborough Theatre with Chris O'Dowd, Daniela Nardini and Clarke Peters, directed by Che Walker; Ginny in Relatively Speaking with Peter Bowles; The Waltz of the Toreadors at Chichester Festival Theatre directed by Angus Jackson; and Donny's Brain by Rona Munro at Hampstead Theatre opposite Ryan Early.

Additional works[]

Hewlett is a singer, published artist and poet. Her first exhibition was at The Osborne Studio Gallery, Belgravia, London in 2008.

Hewlett studied writing at The Royal Court Theatre's prestigious Young Writers program under playwright Simon Stephens.

Hewlett has adapted, is producing and starring in a feature-length adaptation of short story, The Thing About Cassandra by Neil Gaiman.

Hewlett, alongside old family friend Benedict Cumberbatch was chosen to represent The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as one of their ambassadors in 2017.

Hewlett, was a founder member with friend Tom Hardy of their theatre group ShotGun.

Filmography[]

Film[]

Television[]

Theatre[]

Video Games[]

References[]

External links[]

• Siobhan Hewlett at IMDb
• Hewlett's page at her agent's website
• Interview with Siobhan Hewlett by 4 Guys with Quarters