Sheila McCarthy

Acting

Sheila McCarthy

Born 1 January 1956 · Toronto, Ontario, Canada · 70

Sheila McCarthy (born January 1, 1956) is a Canadian stage, film and television actress, singer and dancer, best known for playing Polly Vandersma in the feature film I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, as well as supporting character Sarah Hamoudi (Cunningham) in the television series Little Mosque on the Prairie. She's a graduate in Theatre and Art History from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. In her career, she's won 2 Genie Awards (film), 2 Gemini Awards (television), and 2 Dora Awards (theater), along with multiple nominations.

Known for

Highlights

The Good Doctor2017 · Series · Rose Babcock
The Umbrella Academy2019 · Series · Agnes
Die Hard 21990 · Film · Samantha 'Sam' Coleman
The Day After Tomorrow2004 · Film · Judith
Orphan Black2013 · Series · Connie Hendrix
Star Trek: Discovery2017 · Series · All-Mother

Filmography

Movies

81 films

The Spirit of Halloween2026 · Film · Ghost Anna
The Voices of Our Mother2026 · Film · Harriet
Surfacing2026 · Film · Dawn
The Well2026 · Film · Gabriel
Love Is the Monster2025 · Film · Margaret
Dancing on the Elephant2025 · Film · Nora
All the Lost Ones2025 · Film · Dawn
Women Talking2022 · Film · Greta
Christmas in Rockwell2022 · Film · Juniper
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 32022 · Film · Hologram Alien Scout
The Middle Man2021 · Film · Mrs. Stout
Stroke of Fate2021 · Film · Shirley
Like a House on Fire2021 · Film · Katherine
Happy Place2020 · Film · Joyce
The Broken Hearts Gallery2020 · Film · Cheryl Gulliver
Anything for Jackson2020 · Film · Audrey Walsh
The Christmas Club2019 · Film · Miss Maggie
Christmas 9 to 52019 · Film · Rose Stark
An Assortment of Christmas Tales in No Particular Order2019 · Film · Ellen
Isabelle2019 · Film · Ann Pelway
Level 162018 · Film · Mrs. Denison
Still/Born2018 · Film · Sheila
Considering Love and Other Magic2017 · Film · Veronica
Cardinals2017 · Film · Valerie Walker
Russet Season2017 · Film · Director
Milton's Secret2016 · Film · Luz
Brace for Impact2016 · Film · Faradee Gilchrist
Ice Girls2016 · Film · Aunt Ginger
A Fighting Man2014 · Film · Rose O'Connor
Algonquin2014 · Film · Rita
Dear Viola2014 · Film · Peggy
Antiviral2012 · Film · Dev Harvey
Year of the Carnivore2009 · Film · Mrs. Smalls
Breakfast with Scot2007 · Film · Miss Patterson (uncredited)
The Stone Angel2007 · Film · Doris
Cow Belles2006 · Film · Fran Walker
Bailey's Billion$2005 · Film · Peggy Delaney
Geraldine's Fortune2004 · Film · Tina Larose
Being Julia2004 · Film · Grace Dexter
The Day After Tomorrow2004 · Film · Judith
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen2004 · Film · Mrs. Gerard
Full-Court Miracle2003 · Film · Mrs. Klein
The Rats2002 · Film · Miss Paige
Lathe of Heaven2002 · Film · Penny
Duct Tape Forever2002 · Film · Easterbrook (uncredited)
I Was a Rat2001 · Film · Mrs. Tapscrew
Rare Birds2001 · Film · Claire
Haven2001 · Film · Eva
Custody of the Heart2000 · Film · Alice
Virtual Mom2000 · Film · Holly
You Know My Name1999 · Film · Mrs. Lynn
Dead Husbands1998 · Film · Jane Armitage
Shadow Zone: My Teacher Ate My Homework1997 · Film · Jesse's Mom
The Care and Handling of Roses1996 · Film · Carol Doster
House Arrest1996 · Film · Gwenna Krupp
The Awakening1995 · Film · Nancy
The Possession of Michael D.1995 · Film · Jenny
Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills1994 · Film · Jill Lansing
The Biggest Little Ticket1994 · Film · The Troll
The Lotus Eaters1993 · Film · Diana Kingswood
Journey to the Planets1993 · Film · Oracle (voice)
Beethoven Lives Upstairs1992 · Film · Sophie
A Private Matter1992 · Film · Diane Callaghan
Montreal Stories1991 · Film · Ann Stuart
Stepping Out1991 · Film · Andy
Paradise1991 · Film · Sally Pike
The Soulmates in the Gift of Light1991 · Film · (voice)
Bright Angel1990 · Film · Nina
Pacific Heights1990 · Film · Liz Hamilton
White Room1990 · Film · Zelda
Die Hard 21990 · Film · Samantha 'Sam' Coleman
Beautiful Dreamers1990 · Film · Molly Jessop
Friends, Lovers, & Lunatics1989 · Film · Kathy
George's Island1989 · Film · Miss Birdwood
Much Ado About Nothing1988 · Film · Margaret
I've Heard the Mermaids Singing1987 · Film · Polly Vandersma
A Nest of Singing Birds1987 · Film · Anna
The Marriage Bed1986 · Film · Lynn Reailly
Really Weird Tales1986 · Film · Ellie Hutchins (segment "Cursed With Charisma")
9B1986 · Film · Heather
Love & Larceny1985 · Film · Mary Bigley

Filmography

Series

30 shows

YAGA2026 · Series · Olena Yaha
The Miniature Wife2026 · Series
Nurses2020 · Series · Phillis Bruner
The Umbrella Academy2019 · Series · Agnes
The Detail2018 · Series · Helen Mailer
The Good Doctor2017 · Series · Rose Babcock
Star Trek: Discovery2017 · Series · All-Mother
Conviction2016 · Series · Dr. Jane Soto
Private Eyes2016 · Series · Shirl Glinski
Whatever, Linda2015 · Series · Sheila Hardy
Orphan Black2013 · Series · Connie Hendrix
Saving Hope2012 · Series · Violet Devonshire
Rookie Blue2010 · Series · Leigh Senett
Little Mosque on the Prairie2007 · Series · Sarah Hamoudi
This Is Wonderland2004 · Series
Puppets Who Kill2002 · Series
Haven2001 · Series · Eva
Super Rupert2001 · Series · Aunt Rhonda
Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse2000 · Series · Elizabeth the Emotional Pig (voice)
Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke1999 · Series · Tammy
Bad Dog1998 · Series · (voice)
More Tales of the City1998 · Series · Mildred
Emily of New Moon1998 · Series · Laura Murray
A Woman of Independent Means1995 · Series · Totsie
Picket Fences1992 · Series · Sue Walsh
The Hidden Room1991 · Series
Hot Shots1986 · Series · Jenny
Four on the Floor1986 · Series
The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents1985 · Series · Debra (Sarah) Hollister
The Ray Bradbury Theater1985 · Series · Francine