Thea Sharrock

Thea Sharrock is a British director with extensive experience in theater, film, and television. She was born on April 23, 1976, in London, England. Sharrock studied English literature at the University of Bristol before pursuing a career in directing.

Sharrock's first major production was a revival of Caryl Churchill's "Cloud Nine" at the Almeida Theatre in London in 2007. The production received critical acclaim and earned Sharrock the Evening Standard Award for Best Director. She went on to direct a number of successful productions in London, including a revival of "Equus" starring Daniel Radcliffe and Richard Griffiths, which transferred to Broadway in 2008.
In 2009, Sharrock made her feature film debut with "Me Before You," an adaptation of the bestselling novel by Jojo Moyes. The film starred Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin and was a commercial success, grossing over $200 million worldwide. Sharrock's direction was praised for its sensitivity and emotional depth.
Sharrock has also directed a number of television projects, including episodes of "The Hollow Crown" and "Call the Midwife." In 2015, she directed "The Dresser," a television adaptation of Ronald Harwood's play about a backstage drama at a Shakespearean theater company. The production starred Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins and was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards.
In 2016, Sharrock returned to the theater to direct "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" at the Donmar Warehouse in London. The production starred Janet McTeer and Dominic West and received critical acclaim for its innovative staging and powerful performances.
Most recently, Sharrock directed the highly anticipated film adaptation of "The One and Only Ivan," a children's book by Katherine Applegate. The film, which stars Bryan Cranston and features the voices of Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, and Danny DeVito, was released on Disney+ in August 2020.
Throughout her career, Sharrock has been recognized for her talent and contributions to the arts. In addition to her Evening Standard Award, she has been nominated for a Tony Award and an Olivier Award for her theater work. She has also been named one of the "100 most powerful women in the UK" by BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour.