British Actors You Should Know: Shirley Henderson

Scottish actor Shirley Henderson, last seen on PBS Masterpiece as Aunt Western in Tom Jones, seems to pop up in everything, is instantly recognizable –– tiny, dark, and intense, with that characteristically high voice. She was known for years as “Spud’s girlfriend” from Trainspotting, until she became famous as Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter franchise. However, her career has been so much more.

Henderson came from a working class background and began her career as a child, singing in working men’s clubs and in the ring before boxing matches. Inspired by the TV talent show Opportunity Knocks, she went on to a place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama at the age of 17. Her first big TV break came in the series Hamish Macbeth (1995) starring Robert Carlyle.

Trainspotting (1996), provided breakout roles for her, Carlyle, and Ewan MacGregor, until she landed the role of Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. She also became identified with the Bridget Jones movies, as best friend Jude, a high-powered bank executive who calls Bridget daily from the privacy of the ladies’ toilet in tears over her boyfriend.