Sarah Lancashire is an English actress whose career began in 1986. Lancashire's first acting roles were in local theatre, as well as small guest roles in television dramas and sitcoms. After she attracted public attention with roles in popular programmes including Coronation Street (1991–1996, 2000), Where the Heart Is (1997–1999) and Clocking Off (2000), Lancashire signed a two-year golden handcuffs contract with the ITV network, appearing exclusively in ITV1 programmes for the next two years. Lancashire continued to work actively across various genres of television drama, including guest appearances, regular roles in continuing series and prominent roles in individual miniseries and television films. Among her most prolific works are the drama series Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011), Last Tango in Halifax (2012–2020) and Happy Valley (2014, 2016, 2023).

Lancashire appeared in the feature films And When Did You Last See Your Father? and Dad's Army, and also returned repeatedly to the West End theatre after her appearance in Blood Brothers in 1990. Her combined acting achievements have brought Lancashire a number of awards and nominations over a career spanning four decades, and a prominent status in the British television industry of the 21st century. In 2017, in honour of the Queen's birthday, Lancashire was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama.