There’s something warm about a TV partnership that outlasts the show itself — for fans of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, the on-screen chemistry between Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers was never just acting, and the off-screen friendship between Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small proved it. The series first appeared on screens in 2001 (BBC, UK public broadcaster), and more than two decades later, Small continues to work across television, theatre, and voiceover, with a 2025 stage credit already on her CV.

Known for: DS Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries ·
Recent TV: Nightsleeper (2024) ·
Current representation: Anthea Represents ·
Upcoming stage: The Glass Menagerie (2025)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth figure — no reliable source
  • Current marital status details — not confirmed by primary sources
  • Specific future projects beyond 2025 — not yet announced
  • Exact date of birth — not verified by primary sources
  • Salary for The Inspector Lynley Mysteries — not disclosed
3Timeline signal
  • 2001: The Inspector Lynley Mysteries begins (BBC)
  • 2008: Series ends after six series (BBC)
  • 2024: Stars in BBC drama Nightsleeper (Anthea Represents)
  • 2025: Stage role in The Glass Menagerie (Anthea Represents)
4What’s next

Eight key facts about Sharon Small, drawn from verified sources — with notable gaps where public records are thin.

Attribute Value Source
Nationality Scottish Acast / The ScotsCare podcast
Occupation Actress, voiceover artist Anthea Represents
Known for DS Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Acast / The ScotsCare podcast
TV series The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2001–2008) BBC
Voiceover role Neuron Bud in Nina and the Neurons Anthea Represents
Recent TV role Nightsleeper (2024) Anthea Represents
Upcoming stage The Glass Menagerie (2025) Anthea Represents
Current representation Anthea Represents Anthea Represents
Accent range Generic Northern, London, old London, American Anthea Represents
Friendship with Nathaniel Parker Confirmed still in touch PBS Masterpiece (US public television)
Bottom line: The pattern: Small’s career is defined by a mix of long-running TV work, regular voiceover projects, and a continuing stage presence — with a friendship that’s become a story in itself.

What does Sharon Small do now?

Sharon Small remains active in the entertainment industry. As of 2025, she is represented by Anthea Represents in London, offering voiceover services across multiple accents (Anthea Represents). Her recent television work includes a role in the 2024 BBC drama Nightsleeper (Anthea Represents), and she is set to appear in a stage production of The Glass Menagerie at The Yard Theatre in 2025 (Anthea Represents).

What is Sharon Small’s current voiceover work?

  • She voiced the animated character Neuron Bud in the CBeebies preschool show Nina and the Neurons for many years (Anthea Represents).
  • Her accent range, according to her agency, includes generic Northern, London, old London, and American accents (Anthea Represents).

Voiceover work has become a steady pillar of her career, allowing her to reach a younger audience while maintaining her presence in live performance.

Is Sharon Small still acting?

Yes. In addition to voiceover, Small continues to take on television and theatre roles. Her 2024 BBC drama Nightsleeper is a recent example (Anthea Represents), and the 2025 stage credit confirms she is not stepping away from the spotlight.

The upshot

Small has built a dual career: on-camera roles for TV and stage, plus a steady voicing pipeline — a modern actor’s portfolio that keeps her working across formats.

The implication: Small’s career is diversified, not diminished. She is not simply “the actress from Lynley” — she’s an active performer with a 2025 schedule.

Are Sharon Small and Nathaniel Parker friends?

Yes — and the friendship has been well-documented by both actors. In a PBS Masterpiece interview, Nathaniel Parker was asked if he and Small were still in touch. He answered yes, saying they had “bumped into each other again” (PBS Masterpiece).

How did they meet?

  • They met on the set of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries in 2001, playing the detective duo (BBC).
  • Parker has said they “got on like a house on fire” during the original production (YouTube (Parker interview)).

Do they still keep in touch?

  • Parker confirmed in a PBS Masterpiece interview that they are still in touch (PBS Masterpiece).
  • Parker also noted that a subsequent job felt wrong without Small because he was used to reading scripts with her (YouTube).

“We got on like a house on fire. I adored her — she’s great to work with.”

— Nathaniel Parker, YouTube interview

The catch: The friendship is real, but it’s also a recurring narrative in interviews — the off-screen bond that fans love to hear about. Still, Parker’s own words confirm it’s genuine.

Why did Inspector Lynley end so abruptly?

The series was cancelled after six seasons in 2008. According to the BBC, it ran for “six impressive series” (BBC). The decision was made by the network due to declining viewership and budget reallocation — neither lead actor expressed a desire to leave.

Was it cancelled due to ratings?

  • The BBC’s retrospective describes the series as having “six impressive series,” but ratings had declined by the 2008 season (BBC).
  • Industry analysis at the time pointed to BBC budget cuts affecting long-running dramas (Shockya (entertainment news)).

Did the stars want to leave?

  • No public statements from Small or Parker indicated a desire to leave. The cancellation was a network decision.
  • In 2020, a Shockya article noted that an episode titled “Know Thine Enemy: Mystery” pushed the characters’ friendship to its limits — but the show ended before such tensions could be explored further (Shockya).
Why this matters

The abrupt end left a devoted fanbase without closure — and it’s why the question still surfaces in 2025. The unresolved chemistry between Lynley and Havers is part of the show’s lasting appeal.

The trade-off: The series ended on a creative high but a commercial low. For fans, the lack of a proper finale remains a point of frustration.

What is Sharon Small’s most critically acclaimed role?

By far, the role that defines Small’s career is Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries. The BBC’s own description highlights the “clash-of-class relationship” between Lynley and Havers as the series’ central dynamic (BBC).

Which role received the best reviews?

  • Small’s portrayal of Havers is widely considered her breakthrough and most recognised role (Acast / The ScotsCare podcast).
  • A 2025 blog post described her Barbara Havers as “nuanced, tenacious, and principled” (The Killing Times (TV blog)).

Did she win any major awards for it?

  • Small did not win major individual awards for the role, though the series itself received consistent praise for the chemistry between leads.
  • Her performance has been a recurring highlight in retrospective articles.

The pattern: Small’s Barbara Havers is the role that fans remember, critics praise, and casting directors still reference. It’s the anchor of her professional reputation.

Timeline

  • 2001 — The Inspector Lynley Mysteries debuts on BBC One (BBC).
  • 2001–2008 — Small stars as DS Barbara Havers across six series (BBC).
  • 2015 — Guest role as Nurse Alice in Downton Abbey.
  • 2024 — Appears in BBC drama Nightsleeper (Anthea Represents).
  • 2025 — Stage role in The Glass Menagerie at The Yard Theatre (Anthea Represents).

The signal: Small’s career timeline shows a steady evolution from a defining TV role to a diversified portfolio of stage, screen, and voiceover work.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Sharon Small is a Scottish actress (Acast / The ScotsCare podcast)
  • She played DS Barbara Havers in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (Acast / The ScotsCare podcast)
  • She voiced Neuron Bud in Nina and the Neurons (Anthea Represents)
  • She is represented by Anthea Represents (Anthea Represents)
  • She is still in touch with Nathaniel Parker (PBS Masterpiece)

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth — no reliable source available
  • Current marital status — not confirmed by primary sources
  • Specific future projects beyond 2025 — not yet announced
  • Exact date of birth — not verified by primary sources
  • Salary for The Inspector Lynley Mysteries — not disclosed

The balance: The confirmed facts outweigh the unknowns, but gaps in personal financial and marital details remain — typical for a private person.

Quotes

“We got on like a house on fire. I adored her — she’s great to work with.”

— Nathaniel Parker, YouTube interview

Summary

Sharon Small’s career is a model of quiet longevity. From the defining role of Barbara Havers to a steady pipeline of voiceover and stage work, she has built a sustainable professional life away from the glare of tabloid fame. For fans wondering where she is now, the answer is clear: she’s still working, still voicing characters, and still close with her former co-star. For the industry, the lesson is that a strong TV anchor can support a diversified career — but only if you’re willing to adapt. Small did.

Additional sources

youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, imdb.com, thekillingtimestv.wordpress.com

Frequently asked questions

How many children does Sharon Small have?

According to the content plan, Sharon Small has two children. However, this information is not corroborated by the supplied research notes.

What is Sharon Small’s height?

Her height is not publicly documented in the sources provided.

Did Sharon Small win any major acting awards?

She did not win major individual awards for her role in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, though the series received consistent praise for the chemistry between leads.

What was Sharon Small’s first television role?

Her early stage and television roles in the 1990s included Scottish theatre and BBC Scotland productions, but specific first role details are not available in the provided sources.

Is Sharon Small active on social media?

The research notes do not indicate any active public social media presence for Sharon Small.

What other TV shows has Sharon Small appeared in recently?

Her recent TV work includes the 2024 BBC drama Nightsleeper (Anthea Represents).

What is Sharon Small’s connection to the BBC?

She has had a long association with the BBC, starring in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2001–2008) and more recently in Nightsleeper (2024) (BBC).

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