Shirley Henderson was born on November 24, 1965, in the Scottish village of Forres in the Moray area. However, Shirley grew up in another village — Kincardine (Fife, Scotland).

As a child, Henderson began singing in local clubs, charitable organizations, and various celebrations. After school, Shirley attended a theater club. At the age of 17, after graduating from college in Fife, Shirley moved to London, where she studied acting for three years at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.