Sheila McCarthy

Sheila McCarthy

1956-01-01 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 83 Credits

Biography

Sheila McCarthy is a Canadian stage, film and television actress, singer and dancer, best known for playing Polly Vandersma in the feature film I've Heard the Mermaids Singing, as well as supporting character Sarah Hamoudi (Cunningham) in the television series Little Mosque on the Prairie. She's a graduate in Theatre and Art History from the University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. In her career, she's won 2 Genie Awards (film), 2 Gemini Awards (television), and 2 Dora Awards (theater),...

Known For

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Complete Filmography

The Well

The Well

2025

as Gabriel

Acting

In a world where environmental collapse has left survivors to fight for the precious resources needed to survive, a young woman’s loyalties are tested...

All the Lost Ones

All the Lost Ones

2025

as Dawn

10.0
Acting

In a dystopian and climate-ravaged future America torn apart by civil war, a group hiding in a remote cabin become the target of a ruthless rebel mili...

Women Talking

Women Talking

2022

as Greta

6.9
Acting

A group of women in an isolated religious colony struggle to reconcile their faith with a series of sexual assaults committed by the colony's men.

Christmas in Rockwell

Christmas in Rockwell

2022

as Juniper

5.0
Acting

A famous Hollywood actress returns to her hometown where she is enlisted to participate in a Christmas play which threatens her small peaceful village...

Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3

Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3

2022

as Hologram Alien Scout

7.4
Acting

Zed and Addison are beginning their final year at Seabrook High in the town that’s become a safe haven for monsters and humans alike. Zed is anticipat...

The Middle Man

The Middle Man

2021

as Mrs. Stout

6.0
Acting

Frank Farrelli takes on the job as a middle man in the God-forsaken town of Karmack, USA, a community in a depression so deep that they need a middle ...

Stroke of Fate

Stroke of Fate

2021

as Shirley

Acting

In a hospital waiting room, family wounds are exposed as a mother and son wait for news of their loved one's prognosis.

Like a House on Fire

Like a House on Fire

2021

as Katherine

7.2
Acting

Dara returns home to reconnect with her husband and her young daughter, whom she left two years earlier. When she arrives, she discovers that a woman ...

Happy Place

Happy Place

2020

as Joyce

5.0
Acting

"Welcome to the zoo," Samira is advised as she’s admitted to an in-patient care facility in the wake of a suicide attempt. As she slowly familiarizes ...

The Broken Hearts Gallery

The Broken Hearts Gallery

2020

as Cheryl Gulliver

7.2
Acting

Lucy is a young gallery assistant who collects mementos from her relationships. She discovers that she must let go of her past to move forward, and co...

Anything for Jackson

Anything for Jackson

2020

as Audrey Walsh

6.7
Acting

A bereaved Satanist couple kidnap a pregnant woman so they can use an ancient spellbook to put their dead grandson's spirit into her unborn child, but...

The Christmas Club

The Christmas Club

2019

as Miss Maggie

6.3
Acting

Two busy strangers meet when they help an elderly woman find her lost Christmas savings. Thanks to fate and Christmas magic, they also find something ...

Christmas 9 to 5

Christmas 9 to 5

2019

as Rose Stark

6.8
Acting

Jennifer is a tough crime beat reporter who gets the assignment of her life: to find the true meaning of Christmas. When she goes undercover in a depa...

An Assortment of Christmas Tales in No Particular Order

An Assortment of Christmas Tales in No Particular Order

2019

as Ellen

Acting

Directed dy Chris Agoston, Clara Altimas, Nabil Badine, Neil Huber

Isabelle

Isabelle

2019

as Ann Pelway

5.2
Acting

A young couple's dream of starting a family shatters as they descend into the depths of paranoia and must struggle to survive an evil presence that wa...

Level 16

Level 16

2018

as Mrs. Denison

6.8
Acting

The teenage girls of Vestalis Academy are meticulously trained in the art of being “clean girls,” practicing the virtues of perfect femininity. But wh...

Still/Born

Still/Born

2018

as Sheila

5.8
Acting

Still/Born follows Mary, a new mother who lost one of her twins in childbirth. As she struggles with the loss of one of her children, she starts to su...

Considering Love and Other Magic

Considering Love and Other Magic

2017

as Veronica

6.5
Acting

In desperate need of extra high school credits, Jessie agrees to tutor young Tommy Faber, but when the timid 14-year-old insists he hasn't left Veroni...

Cardinals

Cardinals

2017

as Valerie Walker

5.6
Acting

When Valerie returns home from prison years after killing her neighbour in an apparent drunk driving accident, she wants nothing more than to move on ...

Milton's Secret

Milton's Secret

2016

as Luz

5.1
Acting

11 year-old Milton Adams is growing up in an uncertain world. With his parents constantly stressing about their careers and finances, and the neighbor...

Brace for Impact

Brace for Impact

2016

as Faradee Gilchrist

5.4
Acting

When disgraced Flight Crash Investigator Sofia Gilchrist's brother dies in the crash of a plane she was supposed to be on, Sofia breaks protocol and s...

Ice Girls

Ice Girls

2016

as Aunt Ginger

6.5
Acting

A figure skater is injured during a competition. A coach that hired her then helps her rehab her injury so that she may live her dream.

A Fighting Man

A Fighting Man

2014

as Rose O'Connor

5.4
Acting

Two men meet in the ring for a fight that will change their lives.

Algonquin

Algonquin

2014

as Rita

7.0
Acting

A father-son camping expedition runs aground on misfortune and family secrets.

Dear Viola

Dear Viola

2014

as Peggy

6.5
Acting

Katie, a shy newspaper accountant submits a reply to a "Dear Viola" letter to the editor that she works for, anonymously. She has a real knack for wri...

Antiviral

Antiviral

2012

as Dev Harvey

6.0
Acting

Syd March is an employee at a clinic that sells injections of live viruses harvested from sick celebrities to obsessed fans. When he becomes infected ...

Year of the Carnivore

Year of the Carnivore

2009

as Mrs. Smalls

5.0
Acting

A girl has a crush on a boy who thinks she's bad in bed so she goes out to get more experience.

Breakfast with Scot

Breakfast with Scot

2007

as Miss Patterson (uncredited)

6.3
Acting

The lives of Eric, an ex hockey player, and his partner Sam, are thrown into turmoil when they are forced to take in Scot, a flamboyant 11-year-old.

The Stone Angel

The Stone Angel

2007

as Doris

5.3
Acting

The feisty aging Hagar Shipley has lived an unconventional life. Her rebellious heart has always ruled and her choices have put her at odds with famil...

Cow Belles

Cow Belles

2006

as Fran Walker

5.5
Acting

In order to learn how to be responsible, two wealthy teen sisters are forced to work in the family business by their exasperated father. When company ...

Bailey's Billion$

Bailey's Billion$

2005

as Peggy Delaney

5.8
Acting

Sweet and savvy talking golden retriever, Bailey, is one doggone lucky pooch when his devoted owner, Constance Pennington, leaves him her entire billi...

Geraldine's Fortune

Geraldine's Fortune

2004

as Tina Larose

1.0
Acting

A grocery-store worker in a small Canadian town gets a chance to appear on a popular television game show.

Being Julia

Being Julia

2004

as Grace Dexter

6.5
Acting

Julia Lambert is a true diva: beautiful, talented, weathly and famous. She has it all - including a devoted husband who has mastermined her brilliant...

The Day After Tomorrow

The Day After Tomorrow

2004

as Judith

6.5
Acting

After paleoclimatologist Jack Hall is largely ignored by UN officials when presenting his environmental concerns about the beginning of a new Ice Age,...

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

2004

as Mrs. Gerard

5.7
Acting

When the always dramatic Lola and her family move from the center of everything in New York City to the center of a cultural wasteland in suburban New...

Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche

2004

as Polly Vandersma (archive footage)

5.0
Acting

This compelling documentary explores Canadian film culture and tries to discover what defines Canadian film through interviews with notable filmmakers...

Full-Court Miracle

Full-Court Miracle

2003

as Mrs. Klein

5.6
Acting

Inspired by the true story of University of Virginia basketball star Lamont Carr, the film centers on a group of young Jewish basketball players who s...

The Rats

The Rats

2002

as Miss Paige

5.5
Acting

A clan of evil rats overtakes a Manhattan department store and threatens to overrun the city.

Lathe of Heaven

Lathe of Heaven

2002

as Penny

5.9
Acting

In a near future society a man claims that his dreams physically change reality. His therapist is confused at first but soon decides to use him for hi...

Duct Tape Forever

Duct Tape Forever

2002

as Easterbrook (uncredited)

6.7
Acting

When an evil land baron's limo falls into a sinkhole outside Possum Lodge, lodge leader Red Green is ordered to pay the baron $10,000 or lose his belo...

I Was a Rat

I Was a Rat

2001

as Mrs. Tapscrew

Acting

A little boy found wandering the streets is taken in by Bob and Joan, a kindly couple. The boy is cold, wet and desperate for shelter, but Bob and Joa...

Rare Birds

Rare Birds

2001

as Claire

5.4
Acting

A down-and-out restaurateur and his neighbor hatch a plan to lure bird watchers to their small Newfoundland town and increase tourism by announcing th...

Haven

Haven

2001

as Eva

6.8
Acting

Based on the true story of a woman named Ruth Gruber who travels to Europe to help escort 1000 Jewish War victims to the United States. She comes to l...

Custody of the Heart

Custody of the Heart

2000

as Alice

4.2
Acting

Claire's number one priority is her family. When her husband Dennis loses his stockbroker job, the couple's traditional family roles switch. As Dennis...

Virtual Mom

Virtual Mom

2000

as Holly

5.0
Acting

Sometimes it takes something special to bring a mother and daughter together. For thirteen year-old Lucy and her mom, Holly, it took a little magic. O...

Virtual Mom

Virtual Mom

2000

Teleplay, Executive Producer

5.0
Producing

Sometimes it takes something special to bring a mother and daughter together. For thirteen year-old Lucy and her mom, Holly, it took a little magic. O...

You Know My Name

You Know My Name

1999

as Mrs. Lynn

4.5
Acting

In six months, the population of Cromwell, Oklahoma, has climbed from 500 to 10,000. Boom times have come to the oil-rich town. So has a new breed of ...

Dead Husbands

Dead Husbands

1998

as Jane Armitage

4.8
Acting

Dr. Carter Elson is a man who finds a list of men's names among his wife Alex's possessions. When Carter discovers his own name at the bottom of the l...

Shadow Zone: My Teacher Ate My Homework

Shadow Zone: My Teacher Ate My Homework

1997

as Jesse's Mom

4.8
Acting

Thirteen-year-old Jesse is a typical teenager who hates his teacher, Mrs. Fink. While visiting a vintage clothing shop, Jesse sees a doll that looks e...

The Care and Handling of Roses

The Care and Handling of Roses

1996

as Carol Doster

Acting

A fondness for old movies brings together two fortysomethings, each happily married to other people.

House Arrest

House Arrest

1996

as Gwenna Krupp

5.3
Acting

High-schooler Grover Beindorf and his younger sister Stacy decide that their parents, Janet and Ned, are acting childishly when they decide to divorce...

The Awakening

The Awakening

1995

as Nancy

4.8
Acting

Sara lives in a small town where everybody knows everybody and her life is an open book. Left with the care of her family home, she has trouble meetin...

The Possession of Michael D.

The Possession of Michael D.

1995

as Jenny

4.8
Acting

When a dark force begins to destroy a couple's happiness, they decide to turn to a parapsychologist who discovers that the husband is possessed by a d...

Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills

Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills

1994

as Jill Lansing

6.1
Acting

About the 1989 murders of Carolco Entertainment chairman, Jose Menendez, and his wife, Kitty, who were killed by their sons, Lyle and Erik, in Beverly...

The Biggest Little Ticket

The Biggest Little Ticket

1994

as The Troll

Acting

This one-hour children's television special is the story of a young girl who slips into an enchanted world of trolls and dragons and finds herself on ...

The Lotus Eaters

The Lotus Eaters

1993

as Diana Kingswood

7.0
Acting

Set off the West Coast of Canada in 1965, a hip new teacher with a miniskirt and lots of ideas turns a small town upside down. The soft autumn light ...

Journey to the Planets

1993

as Oracle (voice)

Acting

Creatures from space in search of a new home arrive at the Solar System and discuss each planet. An educational animated short made for IMAX.

Liza Minnelli - Live from Radio City Music Hall

Liza Minnelli - Live from Radio City Music Hall

1992

as Self

7.0
Acting

Liza's dynamic show made history by breaking the box-office record for Radio City. A true superstar, this all-new extravaganza stars Liza and a host o...

Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Beethoven Lives Upstairs

1992

as Sophie

7.2
Acting

When his mother rents their vacant room to a peculiar composer, Christoph can't believe his bad luck. But as the abrasive boarder, Ludwig Van Beethove...

A Private Matter

A Private Matter

1992

as Diane Callaghan

4.8
Acting

The true story of Romper Room host "Miss Sherri" Finkbine, who, after the devastating effects of thalidomide were discovered in the early 1960s, spark...

Montreal Stories

Montreal Stories

1991

as Ann Stuart

5.0
Acting

Six stories about Montreal. 1: A young housewife from Toronto samples the nightlife using basic French. 2: The tale of a painting of Montreal's first ...

Stepping Out

Stepping Out

1991

as Andy

5.9
Acting

A has-been Broadway performer gives tap lessons to a group of misfits who, through their dance classes, bond and realize what they can achieve.

Paradise

Paradise

1991

as Sally Pike

6.2
Acting

A 10-year-old boy spends a summer in the country with a childless couple and a precocious girl.

The Soulmates in the Gift of Light

1991

as (voice)

5.0
Acting

Wicked Angris McBragg sets out to ruin Christmas by undermining the forces of good. Santa Claus abandons his workshop and Comet, his head reindeer, su...

Back to the Beanstalk

1990

as Garbanza

Acting

Jack Jr., son of Jack the Giant Killer, grows his own beanstalk in a quest to find his father and along the way meets some unusual characters.

Bright Angel

Bright Angel

1990

as Nina

4.8
Acting

In Montana, naive teenager George longs to escape from his broken home before his dysfunctional parents push him over the edge. When George meets pret...

Pacific Heights

Pacific Heights

1990

as Liz Hamilton

6.3
Acting

A couple works hard to renovate their dream house and become landlords to pay for it. Unfortunately one of their tenants has plans of his own.

White Room

White Room

1990

as Zelda

5.0
Acting

Norm, an aimless writer, witnesses the murder of rock video star Madelaine X and feels guilty, as he did nothing to prevent it. At Madelaine’s funeral...

Die Hard 2

Die Hard 2

1990

as Samantha 'Sam' Coleman

7.0
Acting

One year after his heroics in Los Angeles, John McClane is an off-duty cop who is the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. On a snowy Chris...

Beautiful Dreamers

Beautiful Dreamers

1990

as Molly Jessop

5.2
Acting

When the superintendent of the Canadian insane asylum, Dr. Maurice Bucke, meets poet Walt Whitman, his life and that of his wife and patients is radic...

Friends, Lovers, & Lunatics

Friends, Lovers, & Lunatics

1989

as Kathy

2.0
Acting

An artist fired from his job comes home and discovers that his wife is having an affair and that she is leaving with her lover. He then sets off in pu...

George's Island

George's Island

1989

as Miss Birdwood

6.5
Acting

After telling his class about the ghost of Captain Kidd and his buried treasure on George’s Island, George is placed in a foster home. George and anot...

Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing

1988

as Margaret

Acting

Young lovers Hero and Claudio, soon to wed, conspire to get verbal sparring partners and confirmed singles Benedick and Beatrice to wed as well.

I've Heard the Mermaids Singing

I've Heard the Mermaids Singing

1987

as Polly Vandersma

5.8
Acting

Scatterbrained Polly gets a job as a secretary in Gabrielle's art gallery. Polly aspires to be a professional photographer, and idolizes Gabrielle for...

The Marriage Bed

The Marriage Bed

1986

as Lynn Reailly

7.0
Acting

Linda Griffiths stars as very pregnant Annie Graham, who's about to give birth to her third child in seven years. Annie looks back via flashbacks at h...

Really Weird Tales

Really Weird Tales

1986

as Ellie Hutchins (segment "Cursed With Charisma")

6.0
Acting

The movie consists of three odd and strange tales that each teach a different lesson.

9B

9B

1986

as Heather

Acting

The story of a young idealistic teacher and his struggle with a class of difficult students in a northern British Columbia school.

Love and Larceny

Love and Larceny

1985

as Mary Bigley

Acting
Love Is the Monster

Love Is the Monster

N/A

Acting

A couple, Ana and Justin, rocked by infidelity, attend an exclusive couples retreat in Finland, under the golden rays of the summer’s midnight sun. Th...

The Voices of Our Mother

N/A

as Harriet

Acting

When a family matriarch falls seriously ill, relatives gather and discover their shared ancestral ties bind them in unexpected ways.

Dancing on the Elephant

Dancing on the Elephant

N/A

as Nora

Acting

Faced with a future of chair-xercise and spoon-fed pudding, nursing home friends Nora and Edna attempt to break out of the 'fox farm' and find a life ...

Surfacing

N/A

as Dawn

Acting

After years of battling severe depression, a young man learns to love himself and accept love from others after becoming caught in his therapist's per...

Russet Season

N/A

Director

Directing

An offbeat apple could change the life of a young editor stuck in a relationship with the wrong guy.