Catherine Shepherd

Catherine Shepherd
Born (1975-09-16) 16 September 1975
Occupations
  • Actor
  • Writer
  • Director
Known for

Catherine Shepherd is an English actress, writer and director.[1][2] She is known for her roles in Peep Show and Sally4Ever.

Early life and education

Shepherd was born on 16 September 1975 in Hammersmith[3]

Shepherd is the daughter of producer, Ann Scott,[4] and actor Jack Shepherd

Catherine attended James Allen’s Girls’ School in Dulwich, London and read English and Italian at Edinburgh University.

Shepherd's twin sister, Victoria Shepherd attended the University of Cambridge and was part of the Footlights. Victoria is a historian and author of Stony Jack and the Lost Jewels of Cheapside (2026) and A History of Delusions (2023).[5] She also created and produced the ten-part BBC Radio 4 series A History of Delusions, and has produced other documentaries and strands for the station.

Career

Acting

In 2004 and 2015, Shepherd played the character April in the sitcom Peep Show.[6]

Other credits include Paddington and Paddington 2 directed by Paul King, Harry and Paul's story of the 2s, Ruddy Hell it's Harry and Paul, The Comic Strip Presents Red Top, The IT Crowd, The Peter Serafinowicz Show, and the BBC comedy Twenty Twelve written by John Morton.

Sally4Ever (2018)

Main article: Sally4Ever

In 2018, Shepherd played the titular role of Sally in Sally4Ever, written and directed by Julia Davis.[7] The series was a co-production between Sky Atlantic and HBO. It is a dark comedy about a woman, Sally, who is in a dead-end relationship with her fiancé David (played by Alex Macqueen), and embarks on an affair with actress/musician/dancer Emma (played by Julia Davis). The series also stars Julian Baratt, Mark Gatiss, Joanna Scanlan, Felicity Montagu, and Jamie Demetriou.[7][8]

Davis said that "I’d always loved Catherine Shepherd, who plays Sally, because she’s so understated and precise. And she corpses a lot."[9] The series started as a short film idea developed by Shepherd, Davis and Baratt. The writing process consisted of Davis and Shepherd improvising together, and Davis writing this up and honing it. On set, scenes were taken both on and off script.

The Guardian said that "Every slight movement of Catherine Shepherd's face should win its own Bafta award."[10] Paste Magazine said that the "biggest surprise about Sally4Ever is just how great Shepherd is: It’s an understated performance of the highest order. In fact, understated might be an understatement."[11]

Refinery29 called the series "disgustingly funny".[12] The New Statesman said "Quite how a comedy can be at once so grotesque and so tender, so filthy and yet so plangent, I do not know. But it suits this (possibly slightly ill) viewer just fine."[13] The Financial Times gave the series a four-star review, describing it as "fetid brilliance".[8] The series won a BAFTA.

Writing

Shepherd has written for various film and TV projects. She wrote on Georgia Pritchett's TV adaptation of the hit podcast The Shrink Next Door (2021) for Apple TV, starring Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell. She also wrote on Buccaneers (2023) for Apple TV.

In 2011, Shepherd wrote and directed the short film See Me, which starred Olivia Coleman. It was produced by Quark Films, Film4 and UK Film Council.[14] Shepherd is set to direct Like a Virgin, which is being made with the BFI.[15] Kate Ogborn is the producer. In 2015, it was announced that Gemma Arterton would star. The script was nominated for The Brit List 2011.[16]

Shepherd has written the 8-part drama series Two Weeks in August.[17][18][19] It was taken on by producer, Various Artists Limited (VAL). It is a BBC project, produced in association with ITV Studios. Filmed in Malta and Gozo, the series tells the story of a woman who goes on holiday to Greece with friends and family and gets trapped on an island. Shepherd said that it is: "a story about what it’s like to try and be happy in a very anxious and confusing world and at its core, about a woman struggling to play all the roles she’s been given by life. How do you enjoy yourself for two weeks in August when the world appears to be falling apart around you?"[17] Jessica Raine, who will play the lead character of Zoe, described Shepherd's script is "Epic and nuanced. Funny and tragic."[20] The series will be aired on BBC One in Spring 2026.

Filmography

Television

Year Title Channel Role Other Role Notes Ref.
1998 Comedy Nation BBC Two Various Writer Series 1, Episode 11 [21]
Relate Cast Writer [22]
Morsomme Foursome-Objective Channel 4 Various
Starlings Sara
2000 Time Gentlemen Please Sky One Sue (Archeologist) Series 1, Episode 7: "Getting Diggy With It";

Episode 8: "The Pub That Forgot Time..."

[23][24]
2002 London's Burning Colette Series 14, Episode 8. [22]
2004, 2015 Peep Show Channel 4 April Series 2, Episode 4: ""University Challenge"

Series 9, Episode 3: "Threeism"; Episode 4: "Mole-Mapping"; Episode 5: "Kid Farm"; Episode 6: "Are We Going to Be Alright?"

[22]
2005 Blessed BBC One Cast Sitcom

Episode 4: "Just Looking (Stereophonics)

[25]
2007 Hyperdrive BBC Two Arabella Sci-Fi sitcom,

Series 2, Episode 3: "Admiral's Daughter"

[26]
Get a grip ITV1 Sandra [27]
After You've Gone BBC One Mrs Turner Series 2, Special: "And So This Is Christmas" [28]
The IT Crowd Channel 4 Jessica Series 2, Episode 4: "The Dinner Party" [3][29]
Dog Face E4 Various (episodes 1-5) Writer (episodes 1, 2, 3) Dog-themed sketch show [30]
2007 - 2008 The Peter Serafinowicz Show BBC Two Various Writer [3][31]
2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 Harry & Paul BBC Two, BBC One Various Series 1, Episodes 1, 2, 3, 5, 6;

Series 2, All 6 episodes; Series 3, Episodes 1-6, Special Series 4, Episodes 2, 3, 4, Special

[32][33]
2008 Lead Balloon BBC Two Sandra Series 3, Episode 3: "Fax" [34]
Trexx And Flipside BBC Three Miss Olsen Episode 6: "Kings Of Da Hood" [35]
2009 4X4 BBC Cast Writer [36]
No Signal Various (Voice) Sketch Show, Episodes 1, 9, 10 [37]
2010 D.O.A. BBC Three Lucy Carrington Pilot [38][39]
Hung Out Channel 4 Maya Pilot [40]
2011 The Comic Strip Presents: The Hunt for Tony Blair Channel 4 Cherie Blair [41][42]
2012 Twenty Twelve BBC Two Vicky Long Series 2, Episode 7: "Loose Ends" [43]
Gates Sky Living Sarah All episodes [44][45]
2014 Morning Is Broken Channel 4 Natalie Pilot (non-broadcast) [46]
Cardinal Burns Channel 4 Various Series 2, Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4 [47]
Harry & Paul's Story of the 2s BBC Two Various [48]
Servants BBC Charlotte Lewis [22]
2004 Black Books Channel 4 Bridget Series 3, Episode 5: "Travel Writer" [49]
2004 My life in film BBC Three Sally Episode 3: "The Shining" [50]
2012 The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Channel 4 Celestine Series 2, Episodes 2 and 3 [1]
2015 An Evening With Harry Enfield & Paul Whitehouse Sue, Olive [51]
2016 The Comic Strip Presents: Red Top Channel 4 Julie [52][53]
2018 Sally4Ever Sky Atlantic Sally [7]
Go Away BBC Writer [22]
2021 The Shrink Next Door Apple TV Writer Miniseries [17][54]
2023 The Buccaneers Apple TV Writer Series 1, Episode 4: "Homecoming" [22]
2019 Sorry BBC Two Rosalind Comedy short [3][55]
2022 The Love Box in Your Living Room BBC Two Cast [56]
2022 Dodger CBBC Mrs Greenwood Episode 3: "Imposter" [57]
Booteq ITV Writer
How to Stay Together Sky TV Writer [22]
Be Right Back Writer
Party Piece E4 Writer
Baggage Writer
2026 Two Weeks in August † BBC One Creator, Writer, Executive Producer [17]
Open † Writer [22]
Afterparty (working title) † Writer
Skivvies † Channel 4 Writer
Love Life † Writer
Ballet School (working title) † Writer

Film

Year Title Role Other Role Notes Ref.
2007 Magicians Passenger [58]
2011 See Me Writer, Director Short film [59]
2014 Paddington Geographer (present day) [60]
2017 Paddington 2 Nelson's mother [61]
Walking On Sunshine Writer
Are You Ready? † Co-Writer
Like A Virgin † Writer, Director In development [62]

Radio

Year Title Station Role Other Role Notes Ref.
2002 - 2003 Concrete Cow BBC Radio 4 Various (Series 2) Writer (Series 1 and 2) Series 1 and 2 [63][64]
2003 Trapped Becky Series 1, Episode 5: "A Boy in a Well" [65]
2001, 2002, 2005 Think The Unthinkable Daisy de Vere Series 1, Episodes 1-5;

Series 2, Episodes 1-6;

Series 4, Episode 1: "Eurotank"

[66][67]
My difficult second album BBC Scotland
2003,

2004, 2006

Ring Around the Bath BBC Radio 4 Xanthe Series 1, 2 and 3 [68][69]
2007 Safety Catch BBC Radio 4 Sophie Series 1, Episode 2: "A Wanting Man" [70]
2008 Miranda Hart's joke shop BBC Radio 4 Tilly Series 1, Episodes 1, 2 [33]
Listen Against BBC Radio 4 Various Sketch show,

Series 2, Episodes 1, 2, 3, 4

[71]
2007,

2009, 2011, 2019

Giles Wemmbley-Hogg goes off BBC Radio 4 Charlotte Wemmbley-Hogg Glastonbury Special, Series 4 and 5, Brexit Special [72]
2011 Brian Gulliver's travels BBC Radio 4 Hajia Series 1, Episode 6: "Jampoa" [73]
2011, 2012 The Simon Day Show BBC Radio 4 Catherine Series 1, Episodes 1-6; Series 2, Episode 1 [74]
2012 Beauty of Britain BBC Radio 4 Lucy (Series 1);

Doctor Wansborough-Jones (Series 2)

Series 2, Episode 1: "Citroen UXB";

Series 3, Episode 1: "Come Stay with Me"

[75][76]
2014 My First Planet BBC Radio 4 Collins Series 2, Episode 1: "Sample of Terror" [77]
2014, 2019 Kevin Eldon Will See You Now BBC Radio 4 Ensemble Actor Series 2 and 4 [78]
2015 Cats and monkeys BBC Radio 4 Mette Writer Radio play [79]
Henry's Girls [22]

Theatre

Year Title Role Other Role Venue Notes Ref.
Harry Enfield & Paul Whitehouse–Legends the Live Tour
Mapping the city Sarah
Friends and family Various Soho Theatre Studio
The Edinburgh Comedy Revue Co-Writer Edinburgh Fringe / Pleasance Theatre
C'est Magique Co-Writer Gilded Balloon / Canal Café
Overtired and Showing Off Co-Writer, Director Edinburgh Fringe/Gilded Balloon
Dance With Me (Be Mine) Co-Writer, Director Edinburgh Fringe/Gilded Balloon
Friends and Family Co-Writer, Director Soho Theatre
Your Whole Life Co-Writer Traverse Theatre Won a "Best of the Sunday Lizard" award

Audio

In October 2018, Shepherd narrated the audiobook for Blue Sky Thinking by Ben Lewis.[3]

Footnotes

References

  1. ^ a b "Catherine Shepherd". Curtis Brown. Archived from the original on 2 September 2015. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  2. ^ "Catherine Shepherd interview - Sally4Ever". British Comedy Guide. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Catherine Shepherd". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  4. ^ "Ann Scott". IMDb. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  5. ^ "Victoria Shepherd". Oneworld. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  6. ^ Lawson, Mark (16 December 2015). "TV swansongs: the final Peep Show and the art of saying goodbye". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2018 – via www.theguardian.com.
  7. ^ a b c Allen, Ben (2 May 2018). "Sally4Ever: Peep Show, Inbetweeners and Mighty Boosh stars unite for new Julia Davis comedy". Radio Times. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  8. ^ a b "Sally4Ever, Sky Atlantic – fetid brilliance". Financial Times. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  9. ^ Davis, Julia (21 October 2018). "She's another dark, twisted, ambitious, predatory, amoral woman... just like me : Interviews 2018". Chortle. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  10. ^ Parkinson, Hannah Jane (8 December 2018). "Have you been watching Sally4Ever? If not, I will track you down and make you". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  11. ^ Fergusun, LaToya (11 November 2018). "Sally4Ever Might Be the Funniest TV Series of 2018". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  12. ^ Kopotsha, Jazmin (25 October 2018). "'Sally4Ever' Is The Filthiest Thing On TV Right Now". Refinery29. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  13. ^ Cooke, Rachel (24 October 2018). "Sally4Ever is Julia Davis at her nasty, dirty best". New Statesman. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  14. ^ "See Me". Curtis Brown. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  15. ^ Jaafar, Ali (19 October 2015). "Gemma Arterton To Star In Catherine Shepherd's 'Like A Virgin'". Deadline. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  16. ^ "The Brit List: Film 2011 • The Brit List". The Brit List. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  17. ^ a b c d Goldbart, Max (12 February 2025). "BBC Behind Holiday Disaster Drama From 'Shrink Next Door' Scribe Catherine Shepherd & Various Artists". Deadline. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  18. ^ Creamer, Jon (12 February 2025). "BBC orders Catherine Shepherd drama from VAL". Televisual. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  19. ^ "BBC announces new drama Two Weeks in August". BBC. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  20. ^ Molander, Joe (2 April 2025). "BBC reveals casting for sun-soaked drama Two Weeks in August". Royal Television Society. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  21. ^ "Comedy Nation - BBC2 sketch show". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Catherine Shepherd". Curtis Brown. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  23. ^ "Time Gentlemen Please: Series 1, Episode 7 - Getting Diggy With It ..." British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  24. ^ "Time Gentlemen Please: Series 1, Episode 8 - The Pub That Forgot Time ..." British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  25. ^ "Blessed: Series 1, Episode 4 - Just Looking (Stereophonics)". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  26. ^ "Hyperdrive: Series 2, Episode 3 - Admiral's Daughter". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  27. ^ "Get A Grip cast and crew credits". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  28. ^ "After You've Gone: Series 2 - And So This Is Christmas". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  29. ^ "The IT Crowd: Series 2, Episode 4 - The Dinner Party". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  30. ^ "Dog Face cast and crew credits". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  31. ^ "The Peter Serafinowicz Show (2007-2008) - Full Cast and Crew". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  32. ^ "BBC Two - Harry & Paul - Episode guide". BBC. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  33. ^ a b "Catherine Shepherd". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  34. ^ "Lead Balloon: Series 3, Episode 3 - Fax". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  35. ^ "Trexx And Flipside: Series 1, Episode 6 - Kings Of Da Hood". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  36. ^ "And now the end is near..." BBC. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  37. ^ "No Signal - FOX sketch show". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  38. ^ "D.O.A - Full Cast and Crew". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  39. ^ "D.O.A. - BBC3 sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  40. ^ "Hung Out - C4 sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  41. ^ "The Hunt for Tony Blair (2011) - Movie". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  42. ^ "The Comic Strip Presents...: The Hunt For Tony Blair". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  43. ^ "Twenty Twelve: Series 2, Episode 7 - Loose Ends". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  44. ^ "Gates (2012) - Full Cast and Crew". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  45. ^ "Gates - Sky Living sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  46. ^ "Morning Has Broken cast and crew credits". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  47. ^ "Full Cardinal Burns cast and crew credits". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  48. ^ "Harry & Paul's Story of the 2s - Full Cast and Crew". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  49. ^ "Black Books: Series 3, Episode 5 - Travel Writer". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  50. ^ "My Life In Film - BBC3 sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  51. ^ "An Evening With Harry Enfield & Paul Whitehouse - BBC2 sketch show". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  52. ^ "Red Top - Full Cast and Crew". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  53. ^ "The Comic Strip Presents...: Red Top". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  54. ^ William Cohen, Trace (17 June 2021). "Will Ferrell and Paul Rudd Star in Teaser for Apple TV+ Comedy 'The Shrink Next Door'". Complex. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  55. ^ "Sorry - BBC2 comedy". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  56. ^ "BBC Two - The Love Box in Your Living Room". BBC. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  57. ^ "Dodger: Series 1, Episode 3 - Imposter". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  58. ^ "Magicians (2007) - Full Cast and Crew". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  59. ^ "See Me - Movie". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  60. ^ "Paddington (2015) - Full Cast and Crew". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  61. ^ "Paddington 2 (2018) - Full Cast and Crew". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  62. ^ "Like a Virgin - Movie". Moviefone. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  63. ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - Concrete Cow". BBC. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  64. ^ "Concrete Cow - Radio 4 sketch show". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  65. ^ "Trapped - Radio 4 comedy drama". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  66. ^ "Think the Unthinkable". BBC.
  67. ^ "Think The Unthinkable - Radio 4 sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  68. ^ "BBC Radio 4 Extra - Ring Around the Bath, Series 2, Go With the Flow". BBC. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  69. ^ "Ring Around The Bath - Radio 4 sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  70. ^ "Safety Catch: Series 1, Episode 2 - A Wanting Man". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  71. ^ "Listen Against - Radio 4 sketch show". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  72. ^ "Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off - Radio 4 sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  73. ^ "Brian Gulliver's Travels: Series 1, Episode 6 - Jampoa". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  74. ^ "The Simon Day Show - Radio 4 sitcom". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  75. ^ "Beauty Of Britain: Series 3, Episode 1 - Come Stay with Me". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  76. ^ "Beauty Of Britain: Series 2, Episode 1 - Citroen UXB". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  77. ^ "My First Planet: Series 2, Episode 1 - Sample Of Terror". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  78. ^ "Kevin Eldon Will See You Now cast and crew credits". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  79. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - Drama on 4, Catherine Shepherd - Cats and Monkeys". BBC. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
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