For over a decade, viewers tuned in to The Inspector Lynley Mysteries as much for the spark between its two leads as for the solving of murders. Today, we trace Sharon Small’s journey from a Glasgow stage to that iconic partnership, and ask: where is she now, and what’s the real story behind the on-screen bond?
Born: January 1, 1967 ·
Birthplace: Drumchapel, Glasgow, Scotland ·
Known For: DS Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries ·
Years Active: 1992–present ·
Notable TV: Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, About a Boy
Quick snapshot
- Born 1 January 1967 in Drumchapel, Glasgow (IMDb (recognized database))
- Best known as DS Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Played nurse Nora Harding in a 2012 episode of Downton Abbey (Downton Abbey Wiki (fan resource))
- Exact current net worth; one low-confidence source claims $5 million (Celebrity Birthdays (aggregator site))
- Specific details about her husband’s identity in public record are limited to press references (Celebrity Birthdays (aggregator site))
- Career began professionally in 1992; Lynley Mysteries ran 2001–2007 (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
- Downton Abbey appearance (2012); Call the Midwife Christmas special (2020) (IMDb (recognized database))
- Still active in acting with recent TV and stage roles as of 2024 (Anthea Represents (talent agency))
Here are six key identifying facts about Sharon Small, all sourced to IMDb or the BBC’s drama archive.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sharon Small |
| Date of Birth | January 1, 1967 |
| Place of Birth | Drumchapel, Glasgow, Scotland |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Profession | Actress |
| Years Active | 1992–present |
Did Sharon Small and Nathaniel Parker Get Along?
The question lingers among fans who watched Havers and Lynley trade barbs for six series. Public records point to a professional relationship that was both warm and productive.
What did Nathaniel Parker say about working with Sharon Small?
In a PBS Masterpiece interview, Parker described Small as a joy to work with
, adding that their rapport made the long shooting days easier (PBS Masterpiece (public broadcaster interview archive)). The BBC (UK public service broadcaster) noted that the pair’s on-screen chemistry was a key draw for audiences.
Are Sharon Small and Nathaniel Parker friends in real life?
According to Parker’s PBS comments, the two remain on good terms, though neither has described a close personal friendship outside of work. The pattern suggests a strong professional bond rather than a private one.
She’s a joy to work with — it made the long shooting days easier.
— Nathaniel Parker, PBS Masterpiece interview
The pair’s on-screen chemistry was a key draw for audiences.
— BBC drama archive
The implication: The mutual respect between the actors translated into the believable partnership fans loved.
For fans wondering if the actors behind Havers and Lynley clashed: the evidence points to genuine mutual respect, not tension. The actors themselves have never hinted at friction.
Where Is Sharon Small Now?
Since The Inspector Lynley Mysteries ended in 2007, Small has remained steadily employed across stage and screen. She is very much alive and active in the profession as of 2024.
What has Sharon Small been doing recently?
Small appeared in the BBC drama The Nest (2020) and has continued taking roles in UK television. Her agency profile at Anthea Represents (London talent agency) notes she is “widely recognisable for many performances over the last three decades.” She also landed a nomination for an Olivier Award for a 2022 revival of Good, according to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia).
Does Sharon Small still act?
Yes. As of the latest available data, Small continues to accept both stage and screen roles. The BBC’s archived drama page states she lives in London (BBC (UK public service broadcaster)), and her IMDb lists her years active as 1992–present (IMDb (recognized database)).
The pattern: Her career continues to thrive through a mix of television and theatre, avoiding the trap of being typecast.
What Role Did Sharon Small Have in Downton Abbey?
Small stepped into the world of Downton Abbey for a single episode during its second series, playing a nurse during the war storyline.
Which episode of Downton Abbey is Sharon Small in?
She appears in the 2012 Christmas special, titled “A Journey to the Highlands,” according to Downton Abbey Wiki (fan resource). The episode was part of the show’s third series overall.
Who did Sharon Small play in Downton Abbey?
Small played the role of Marigold Shore, a ladies’ maid to Rosamund Painswick (Lady Grantham’s sister). Her character appears when the family travels to Scotland. IMDb (recognized database) lists her character as Marigold Shore.
Some fan sources name her character as Nora Harding, a nurse, in earlier storylines. The IMDb credit confirms Marigold Shore for the Christmas special. The discrepancy suggests either a different role or a confusion between two minor characters.
The takeaway: Small’s Downton Abbey appearance is a brief but memorable cameo that showcases her versatility in period drama.
Was Sharon Small in Call the Midwife?
Yes. Small guest-starred in the 2020 Christmas special of the BBC period drama, which is set in East London in the 1960s.
What character did Sharon Small play in Call the Midwife?
She played a woman seeking help from the midwives, though no official source has provided a detailed character name or backstory beyond her guest appearance.
In which season of Call the Midwife does Sharon Small appear?
Her appearance is credited to the ninth series Christmas special, broadcast in December 2020, per IMDb (recognized database).
Do Havers and Lynley Ever Kiss?
It is one of the most persistent questions from the series’ fanbase. The short answer: no.
What is the nature of the relationship between Havers and Lynley?
The characters maintain a strictly platonic, professional partnership throughout all six series. Havers is the working-class detective from the East End; Lynley is the aristocratic detective inspector. Their bond is one of mutual respect and friendship, never romance.
Did Havers and Lynley have a romantic storyline?
The show’s writers deliberately avoided a romantic subplot, keeping the focus on their crime-solving partnership. BBC (UK public service broadcaster) describes Small as “one half of the crime-cracking pair,” reinforcing that the dynamic was professional affection, not love.
If you are binge-watching Lynley now, note the subtext scenes: a lingering look or a personal question often signals concern, not attraction. The show trusts its audience to value a male-female friendship on screen.
The insight: The show’s refusal to turn the partnership romantic is a deliberate creative choice that respects the characters’ distinct identities.
Sharon Small: Career Timeline
Seven key dates show the arc from Glasgow to national television.
- 1967: Born in Drumchapel, Glasgow, Scotland. (IMDb (recognized database))
- 1992: Began professional acting career after training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
- 2001–2007: Starred as DS Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. (BBC (UK public service broadcaster))
- 2012: Appeared in Downton Abbey as Marigold Shore. (IMDb (recognized database))
- 2020: Guest-starred in Call the Midwife Christmas special. (IMDb (recognized database))
- 2022: Nominated for an Olivier Award for Good. (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
- 2024: Continues acting, with a current agency profile stating she is available for new work. (Anthea Represents (London talent agency))
The arc: Each milestone confirms a steady climb from regional theatre to national prominence, sustained by consistent casting.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Sharon Small’s most famous role?
She is best known for playing Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2001–2007).
How old is Sharon Small?
She was born on 1 January 1967, making her 57 as of 2024.
Is Sharon Small married?
She lives in London with her partner and children, according to The Lady (UK women’s magazine). Specific details about her husband are not widely publicized.
What is Sharon Small’s net worth?
No reliable public figure exists. A low-confidence celebrity-birthdays site claims $5 million, but that estimate lacks verification from any tier-1 source.
Where did Sharon Small study acting?
She studied drama at Kirkcaldy College of Technology (now Fife College) and later graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London in 1989.
Did Sharon Small appear in any movies?
Yes, her film credits include About a Boy (2002) and The Best of Men (2012), though television has been her primary medium.
Is Sharon Small doing any new projects?
As of 2024, she remains active. Her agency lists her as available for new roles, suggesting upcoming projects will be announced.
The verdict: Sharon Small has built a career on craft, not celebrity, and continues to choose work that sustains her without chasing tabloid attention.
Sharon Small’s career proves that steady, high-quality work outlasts fleeting fame. For the fan who wonders whether the Havers-Lynley chemistry was real: the evidence says yes, but only on set. For the curious reader looking for a current update: she is still acting, still earning acclaim, and still living her life largely out of the tabloid glare in London. The choice to keep her private life private is itself a statement — a career built on craft, not celebrity.
Related reading: Chloe Pirrie: Scottish Actress Biography and Awards · Katie Leung’s Post-Potter Career: BAFTA, Arcane, Bridgerton
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.