Lorraine Ashbourne (born 1961 in Manchester) is an English stage, film and television actress. She attended Wilbraham High School, when living in Fallowfield. She joined Stretford Children's Theatre. She took part in the University of Manchester Stage Society and Manchester Youth Theatre. She joined the Webber Drama School on 19 April 1982. Ashbourne has appeared on British series and television films, including: Playing the Field (1998), Unforgotten (2017), Grantchester (2017), Maigret in Montmartre (2017), Midsomer Murders (2018), The Street, and Jericho.
As a stage actor, Lorraine regularly appeared at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, portraying roles such as Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer and Emilia in Othello, acting in both of these alongside her husband Andy Serkis.
In 2019, she starred as Barbara Castle in The Crown (2019), and from 2020, she starred as Mrs. Varley in Bridgerton. She played Joan Nuthall in Alma's Not Normal (2020), and was Daphne Sparrow in Sherwood (2022). She played Karen in I Hate Suzie (2024), and appeared in After the Flood (2024)
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Olwyn (voice)
2024
Hitpig!
Big Bertha (voice)
2024
National Theatre Live: Till The Stars Come Down
Aunty Carol
2024
After the Flood
Molly Marshall · (6 episodes)
2024
Allelujah
Mrs Earnshaw
2023
I Used to Be Famous
Cheryl
2022
Sherwood
Daphne Sparrow · (12 episodes)
2022
Bridgerton
Mrs. Varley · (19 episodes)
2020
A Christmas Carol
Mrs Cratchit (voice)
2020
No Masks
2020
I Hate Suzie
Karen · (1 episode)
2020
Alma's Not Normal
Joan · (12 episodes)
2020
The Bind
Ruth
2019
Blinded by the Light
Kathy
2019
Cheat
Angela Shadley · (4 episodes)
2019
The Queen and I
Violet
2018
Maigret in Montmartre
2017
Breathe
First Woman
2017
A Street Cat Named Bob
Local Housing Officer
2016
The Crown
Barbara Castle · (5 episodes)
2016
Adult Life Skills
Marion
2016
Jericho
Lace Polly · (8 episodes)
2016
Bunny and Clive
Bunny
2016
London Spy
Mrs Turner · (2 episodes)
2015
London Spy
Mrs. Turner · (5 episodes)
2015
Unforgotten
DI Tessa Nixon · (6 episodes)
2015
The Interceptor
Valerie · (8 episodes)
2015
Child 44
Anna
2015
Emotional Fusebox
Marion
2014
Happy Birthday BBC Two
Narrator · (4 episodes)
2014
Inside No. 9
Carol · (1 episode)
2014
The Selfish Giant
Mary
2013
Public Enemies
Marion Sharmer · (3 episodes)
2012
Vera
Barbara Tullman · (1 episode)
2011
Little Crackers
Miss Meadowcroft · (1 episode)
2010
Thorne: Scaredycat
Ruth Brigstocke
2010
Oranges and Sunshine
Nicky
2010
Victoria Wood: What Larks! Or... What I Did on My Holidays
Athlete
2009
Victoria Wood's Midlife Christmas
2009
Murderland
Rachel · (3 episodes)
2009
Moving On
Treena · (1 episode)
2009
Law & Order: UK
(1 episode)
2009
A Bunch of Amateurs
Jane Jarvis
2008
Lark Rise to Candleford
(1 episode)
2008
True Dare Kiss
Beth Sweeney · (6 episodes)
2007
Housewife, 49
Dot
2006
Jane Eyre
Mrs. Fairfax · (4 episodes)
2006
King Kong
Theatre Actor
2005
New Tricks
Moira Wright · (1 episode)
2004
The Martins
Lil
2001
A Christmas Carol
Sue Cratchett
2000
Clocking Off
(1 episode)
2000
City Central
(32 episodes)
1998
Playing the Field
Geraldine Powell · (32 episodes)
1998
Fever Pitch
Paul's Mum
1997
Midsomer Murders
Daniella Bellini · (1 episode)
1997
Silent Witness
Michelle Lafferty · (1 episode)
1996
Jack & Sarah
Jackie
1995
Chiller
Susan Taylor · (1 episode)
1995
Pie in the Sky
Maeve Cormack · (1 episode)
1994
Fighting for Gemma
1993
Peak Practice
Tina Greaves · (1 episode)
1993
Mr. Wroe's Virgins
Anne · (1 episode)
1993
Rich Tea And Sympathy
(6 episodes)
1991
Resurrected
Reeva
1989
The Dressmaker
Factory Girl
1988
Distant Voices, Still Lives
Maisie
1988
Twenty
Dianna
Rafferty's Rules
Woman No. 1 · (1 episode)
1987
Casualty
Sandy · (1 episode)
1986
The Bill
(3 episodes)
1984
Riot Women
Jess · (1 episode)