Lorraine Ashbourne

Ashbourne was born on 7 January 1961, in Manchester, England.

She attended Wilbraham High School, while living in Fallowfield. She joined Stretford Children's Theatre. She took part in the University of Manchester Stage Society and Manchester Youth Theatre. She joined the Webber Drama School in 1982.

Ashbourne has appeared on British series and television films, including: Playing the Field (1998), Unforgotten (2017), Grantchester (2017), Maigret in Montmartre (2017), Midsomer Murders (2018), The Street, and Jericho.

As a stage actor, Lorraine regularly appeared at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, portraying roles such as Kate Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer and Emilia in Othello, acting in both of these alongside her husband Andy Serkis.

In 2019, she portrayed Barbara Castle in The Crown (2019) and, from 2020, she starred as Mrs. Varley in Bridgerton. She played Joan Nuthall in Alma's Not Normal (2020), and was Daphne Sparrow in Sherwood (2022). She played Karen in I Hate Suzie (2024), and appeared in After the Flood (2024).

Ashbourne plays Jess in the comedy-drama series Riot Women (2025–).

In 1987, Ashbourne dated actor Glyn Pritchard, who played chef Paul on Crossroads.

She has been in a relationship with actor Andy Serkis since at least 1993, having toured together in a play at the Royal Exchange in 1989. Ashbourne married Serkis and they have three children, including actors Sonny, Ruby and Louis Ashbourne Serkis.