Fiona Shaw is an acclaimed Irish actress whose screen career has stretched across more than four decades, alongside a distinguished body of theatre work. She made her feature-film breakthrough in My Left Foot (1989), appearing opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in Jim Sheridan’s acclaimed biographical drama. Over the years, Shaw has moved comfortably between period dramas, literary adaptations, thrillers, comedies, fantasy films and family productions. International audiences know her particularly well as Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter film series, while films such as The Black Dahlia, Dorian Gray, Ammonite and Colette demonstrate the range of her dramatic work. Her later film career has remained varied, including voice performances and character-driven independent productions. This Fiona Shaw movies by year guide follows her officially released feature-film appearances chronologically, including notable voice and cameo roles.
1985 — Sacred Hearts
Sacred Hearts is a British drama directed by Barbara Rennie and set in England during the Second World War. Fiona Shaw plays Sister Felicity, appearing alongside Anna Massey, Katrin Cartlidge and Oona Kirsch. The story focuses on a strict nun and the girls at a convent school, exploring faith, discipline and the pressures surrounding young women during wartime. It represents one of Shaw’s earliest screen appearances and predates her major international breakthrough.
1989 — My Left Foot
My Left Foot: The Story of Christy Brown was directed by Jim Sheridan and stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Irish artist and writer Christy Brown. Shaw plays Dr. Eileen Cole, a doctor who becomes involved in Christy’s education and therapy as he develops his ability to communicate and create art despite cerebral palsy. The biographical comedy-drama also features Brenda Fricker, Ray McAnally and Cyril Cusack. The film became an important early milestone for Shaw and was a major success for Day-Lewis and Sheridan.
1990 — Mountains of the Moon
Directed by Bob Rafelson, Mountains of the Moon is a historical adventure drama about explorers Richard Francis Burton and John Hanning Speke and their search for the source of the Nile. Fiona Shaw portrays Isabel Arundell, who becomes associated with Burton’s personal story, while Patrick Bergin and Iain Glen play Burton and Speke. The film combines exploration, historical drama and sweeping period storytelling. Shaw’s role gave her an opportunity to work in a large-scale international production early in her film career.
1990 — Three Men and a Little Lady
Three Men and a Little Lady, directed by Emile Ardolino, is a comedy sequel to Three Men and a Baby. Shaw plays Miss Lomax in the story of three bachelors whose comfortable family arrangement is threatened when the young girl they have helped raise may be taken to London. Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, Ted Danson and Nancy Travis lead the cast. Released in November 1990, the film gave Shaw a lighter mainstream comedy role following her dramatic work in My Left Foot and Mountains of the Moon.
1991 — London Kills Me
London Kills Me was written and directed by Hanif Kureishi and follows a young Londoner attempting to escape the drug scene and find work. Shaw appears as Headley in this gritty comedy-drama, which stars Justin Chadwick and Steven Mackintosh. The film combines social observation with a darkly comic portrait of life around Notting Hill. It remains an early example of Shaw taking on distinctive supporting characters in British cinema.
1993 — Super Mario Bros.
The live-action Super Mario Bros. was directed by Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel and loosely adapted from Nintendo’s popular video-game franchise. Shaw plays Lena, appearing alongside Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper and Samantha Mathis. The science-fiction adventure follows Mario and Luigi into a strange parallel world dominated by dinosaurs and competing factions. Although its tone and approach differed sharply from the games, the film remains notable as one of the earliest major Hollywood video-game adaptations.
1993 — Undercover Blues
Undercover Blues is an action comedy directed by Herbert Ross, starring Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid as married secret agents trying to balance espionage with family life. Shaw plays Novacek, one of the supporting characters encountered during the couple’s adventures in New Orleans. Stanley Tucci, Larry Miller and Tom Arnold also appear in the ensemble cast. The film allowed Shaw to move into a more overtly comic Hollywood production.
1995 — Persuasion
Roger Michell’s Persuasion is a period romantic drama adapted from Jane Austen’s final completed novel. Fiona Shaw plays Mrs. Croft, with Amanda Root as Anne Elliot and Ciarán Hinds as Captain Frederick Wentworth. The story follows Anne as she reconnects with Wentworth after years of separation and must confront the decision that ended their earlier relationship. Originally made for television in Britain but subsequently released theatrically in the United States, the film became a respected Austen adaptation.
1996 — Jane Eyre
Jane Eyre, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, adapts Charlotte Brontë’s classic Gothic romance. Shaw portrays Mrs. Reed, Jane’s severe aunt, while Charlotte Gainsbourg plays Jane and William Hurt portrays Edward Rochester. The film combines romantic drama with Gothic atmosphere as Jane struggles against the restrictions placed on her throughout her early life. Shaw’s performance contributes to the difficult and oppressive environment surrounding the young heroine.
1997 — Anna Karenina
Bernard Rose directed this 1997 adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, starring Sophie Marceau, Sean Bean, Alfred Molina and James Fox. Shaw plays Lydia Ivanova, a supporting figure within the aristocratic social world surrounding Anna. The period drama follows Anna’s destructive relationship with Count Vronsky and the consequences of challenging the conventions of Russian high society. Shaw’s role adds another memorable character to an ensemble built around Tolstoy’s complex relationships.
1997 — The Butcher Boy
Neil Jordan directed The Butcher Boy, adapted from Patrick McCabe’s novel about Francie Brady, a troubled Irish boy growing up in the 1960s. Shaw plays Mrs. Nugent, appearing alongside Eamonn Owens, Stephen Rea and Sean McGinley. The film mixes dark comedy, psychological drama and disturbing childhood memories while examining Francie’s increasingly fractured view of the world. It is one of Shaw’s more substantial early Irish film roles.
1998 — The Avengers
Jeremiah S. Chechik’s The Avengers is a spy adventure based on the classic British television series. Shaw plays Father in the eccentric film, which stars Ralph Fiennes as John Steed, Uma Thurman as Emma Peel and Sean Connery as Sir August de Wynter. The story follows Steed and Peel as they attempt to stop a villain whose plans threaten Britain. Shaw’s part is comparatively small but distinctive within the film’s unusual ensemble.
1999 — The Last September
The Last September is a historical drama directed by Deborah Warner and adapted from Elizabeth Bowen’s novel. Shaw plays Marda Norton in a story set in Ireland during the early years of the Irish War of Independence. Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Keeley Hawes and Lambert Wilson are among the other principal cast members. The film examines the tensions surrounding an Anglo-Irish estate as political conflict grows outside its walls.
2001 — The Triumph of Love
Clare Peploe directed The Triumph of Love, a romantic comedy adapted from Pierre de Marivaux’s 18th-century French play. Shaw plays Leontine, with Mira Sorvino, Ben Kingsley and Rachael Stirling among the leading cast. Set in an imaginary European kingdom, the story follows a princess who disguises herself while attempting to win the affection of a philosopher’s son. Shaw’s performance forms part of the film’s deliberately theatrical and stylized approach.
2001 — Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Shaw made her most internationally recognizable film appearance as Petunia Dursley in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, directed by Chris Columbus. Petunia is Harry Potter’s aunt and the sister of his late mother, Lily, and Shaw portrays her as a rigid figure who resents the magical world surrounding her nephew. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson lead the young cast, with Richard Griffiths playing Vernon Dursley. The film launched the hugely successful Harry Potter movie series and established Shaw’s Petunia as one of its recurring adult characters.
2002 — Close Your Eyes
Released under the title Close Your Eyes and also known as Doctor Sleep, this British thriller was directed by Nick Willing. Shaw plays Catherine Lebourg alongside Goran Višnjić, Shirley Henderson, Miranda Otto and Paddy Considine. The story follows a hypnotherapist who becomes involved in the investigation of a mysterious girl connected to a ritualistic serial killer. Shaw’s role adds to the film’s unsettling psychological atmosphere.
2002 — Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Chris Columbus returned to direct Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second film in the series, with Shaw reprising her role as Petunia Dursley. Petunia again appears in the Dursley household, where Harry’s magical abilities remain a source of discomfort for his aunt and uncle. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson lead the film as Harry, Ron and Hermione. Shaw’s return helped maintain the connection between Harry’s ordinary home life and the increasingly dangerous magical world.
2004 — Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Alfonso Cuarón directed Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the third film in the series, with Shaw returning as Petunia Dursley. The movie introduces a darker visual and emotional style as Harry learns more about Sirius Black and the circumstances surrounding his parents’ deaths. Shaw’s role remains a supporting appearance within the Dursley scenes, alongside Richard Griffiths as Vernon and Harry Melling as Dudley. The film is notable for being the first Harry Potter movie directed by Cuarón.
2005 — Midsummer Dream
Midsummer Dream is a Spanish-Portuguese animated fantasy film directed by Ángel de la Cruz and Manolo Gómez and loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Shaw provides the English-language voice for the Witches, rather than appearing as a conventional live-action character. The voice cast also includes Romola Garai, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Rhys Ifans and Miranda Richardson. This is therefore best classified as an animated feature voice role in Fiona Shaw’s filmography.
2006 — The Black Dahlia
Brian De Palma directed The Black Dahlia, a crime thriller inspired by the notorious 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short in Los Angeles. Shaw plays Ramona Linscott, a member of the wealthy family connected to the investigation, with Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank and Mia Kirshner leading the cast. The film blends film noir influences with a complicated police investigation and a web of personal secrets. Shaw’s supporting role places her inside the mysterious social circle surrounding the case.
2006 — Catch and Release
Catch and Release is a romantic comedy-drama written and directed by Susannah Grant. Shaw plays Mrs. Douglas in a story starring Jennifer Garner as a woman attempting to rebuild her life after the death of her fiancé. Timothy Olyphant, Kevin Smith, Sam Jaeger and Juliette Lewis are also part of the ensemble. Shaw’s role is a supporting appearance within this character-driven story about grief, friendship and unexpected relationships.
2007 — Fracture
Gregory Hoblit directed Fracture, a legal psychological thriller starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. Shaw plays Judge Robinson in the courtroom-focused story, which follows an apparently straightforward murder case that develops into a battle of strategy between a wealthy defendant and a young prosecutor. David Strathairn, Rosamund Pike and Billy Burke also feature in the cast. The film is particularly notable for the central performances of Hopkins and Gosling and its courtroom twists.
2007 — Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
David Yates made his Harry Potter directorial debut with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, with Shaw again playing Petunia Dursley. The film follows Harry’s growing conflict with the Ministry of Magic and his formation of Dumbledore’s Army at Hogwarts. Shaw’s appearance is brief but significant because Petunia reveals an important connection to the magical world during the film’s opening events. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Imelda Staunton lead the fifth installment.
2009 — Dorian Gray
Oliver Parker directed Dorian Gray, a dark fantasy horror adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. Shaw plays Agatha, appearing with Ben Barnes as Dorian Gray, Colin Firth as Lord Henry Wotton and Rebecca Hall as Emily Wotton. The story follows a young man whose portrait ages and bears the consequences of his increasingly corrupt life while he remains outwardly youthful. Shaw’s appearance contributes to the film’s Gothic and Victorian atmosphere.
2010 — We Believed
We Believed (Noi credevamo) is an Italian historical drama directed by Mario Martone and set against the political upheavals surrounding Italian unification. Shaw plays Emilie Ashurst in the film’s expansive ensemble. The story follows several young people whose revolutionary ideals bring them into conflict with the political realities of 19th-century Italy. It represents one of Shaw’s international historical-drama appearances outside British and American cinema.
2010 — Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
Shaw returned as Petunia Dursley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, directed by David Yates. The film follows Harry, Ron and Hermione as they leave Hogwarts and begin the dangerous search for Voldemort’s Horcruxes. Petunia’s appearance is brief as Harry finally leaves the Dursley home for good, bringing Shaw’s recurring role to one of its final screen appearances. The film was the first half of the adaptation of the final Harry Potter novel.
2011 — The Tree of Life
Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life is an ambitious philosophical drama starring Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain and Sean Penn. Shaw appears as the Grandmother in a film that moves between a family’s memories and expansive reflections on nature, existence and the universe. The nonlinear structure combines intimate family drama with highly visual sequences depicting the origins and development of life. Shaw’s role is small but part of the film’s carefully constructed family ensemble.
2013 — The English Teacher
Craig Zisk directed The English Teacher, a comedy-drama starring Julianne Moore, Michael Angarano, Greg Kinnear and Lily Collins. Shaw provides the voice of the Narrator, describing the life and circumstances of Moore’s character, Linda Sinclair. The film follows an English teacher whose orderly life becomes complicated when a former student returns home after failing as a playwright. Shaw’s contribution is therefore a voice/narration role rather than a conventional on-screen character.
2015 — Pixels
Pixels is a science-fiction action comedy directed by Chris Columbus and starring Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Peter Dinklage and Josh Gad. Shaw makes an uncredited cameo as the Prime Minister, appearing only briefly within the film’s story about classic video-game characters attacking Earth. The movie combines live-action comedy with extensive computer-generated effects inspired by arcade games. Although her appearance is very small, it is part of Shaw’s officially credited screen work.
2016 — The White King
The White King is a dystopian drama directed by Alex Helfrecht and Jörg Tittel and adapted from György Dragomán’s novel. Shaw plays Kathrin Fitz, the mother of a family living under an authoritarian regime where her husband is branded a traitor. Lorenzo Allchurch, Agyness Deyn, Ross Partridge and Jonathan Pryce are among the principal cast. The film combines coming-of-age drama with science-fiction and political dystopian elements.
2017 — The Hippopotamus
John Jencks directed The Hippopotamus, a British comedy based on Stephen Fry’s novel. Shaw plays Anne Logan, part of the family at the country estate where disgraced poet Ted Wallace, played by Roger Allam, investigates a series of unexplained miracles. Matthew Modine, Russell Tovey and Geraldine Somerville also appear. The film uses eccentric characters and darkly comic situations to explore the mystery surrounding the supposed healings.
2018 — Lizzie
Lizzie is a biographical thriller directed by Craig William Macneill about Lizzie Borden and the infamous 1892 axe murders. Shaw plays Abby Borden, Lizzie’s stepmother, alongside Chloë Sevigny as Lizzie and Kristen Stewart as Bridget Sullivan. The film approaches the historical case through a psychological and intimate perspective rather than simply presenting it as a conventional murder mystery. Shaw’s performance places her directly within the troubled Borden family at the centre of the story.
2018 — Colette
Wash Westmoreland directed Colette, a biographical period drama starring Keira Knightley as French writer Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. Shaw plays Sido, Colette’s mother, in a story about literary ambition, marriage, creative ownership and the restrictions placed on women in early 20th-century society. Dominic West, Denise Gough and Eleanor Tomlinson also feature in the cast. The film was particularly notable for its portrayal of Colette’s struggle to gain control over her own writing and identity.
2019 — Out of Innocence
Out of Innocence is a crime drama written and directed by Danny Hiller and based on the real-life Kerry Babies case. Shaw plays Catherine Flynn, appearing alongside Alun Armstrong, Fionnuala Flaherty and Ruth McCabe. The story examines the aftermath of a police investigation in which a frightened young mother becomes entangled in a devastating criminal case. Although produced earlier, the film received its Irish theatrical release in April 2019, making 2019 the relevant release year for this chronological filmography.
2020 — Ammonite
Francis Lee wrote and directed Ammonite, a period romantic drama loosely inspired by the life of British palaeontologist Mary Anning. Shaw plays Elizabeth Philpot, while Kate Winslet portrays Mary Anning and Saoirse Ronan plays Charlotte Murchison. The film explores fossil hunting, social restrictions and an imagined relationship between two women in 19th-century England. Shaw’s supporting role connects the fictionalized story to the scientific and social world surrounding Anning.
2020 — Enola Holmes
Harry Bradbeer’s Enola Holmes stars Millie Bobby Brown as the teenage sister of Sherlock Holmes, with Henry Cavill and Sam Claflin playing Sherlock and Mycroft. Shaw appears as Miss Harrison, a strict schoolmistress encountered during Enola’s search for her missing mother. The mystery-adventure blends Victorian period drama with youthful detective storytelling and features Louis Partridge and Helena Bonham Carter in major roles. Shaw’s performance adds a stern but memorable figure to Enola’s journey.
2020 — Kindred
Kindred is a British psychological horror and mystery drama directed by Joe Marcantonio. Shaw plays Margaret, the controlling mother of the recently deceased Ben, who takes in his pregnant partner Charlotte, played by Tamara Lawrance. Jack Lowden and Edward Holcroft also star in the unsettling story, which gradually raises questions about grief, control and Charlotte’s increasingly disturbing experiences. The film received a limited theatrical and digital release in November 2020.
2024 — IF
John Krasinski wrote and directed IF, a fantasy comedy-drama about a young girl who discovers she can see other people’s imaginary friends. Shaw plays the Grandmother, appearing alongside Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds and Krasinski, while Steve Carell, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and other performers provide voices for the imaginary characters. The family film combines live-action performances with extensive visual effects and animated characters. It was released theatrically in May 2024.
2024 — That Christmas
That Christmas is an animated Christmas comedy directed by Simon Otto and written by Richard Curtis and Peter Souter. Shaw provides the voice of Ms. Trapper, joining Brian Cox, Jodie Whittaker and Bill Nighy in an ensemble voice cast. The film interweaves several stories involving families, children, friendship and an eventful Christmas in a small coastal community. It premiered at the BFI London Film Festival before its Netflix release in December 2024, making Shaw’s contribution a voice role rather than a live-action appearance.
2025 — Hot Milk
Hot Milk is a British drama written and directed by Rebecca Lenkiewicz and adapted from Deborah Levy’s novel. Shaw plays Rose, the mother of Sofia, portrayed by Emma Mackey, during a trip to southern Spain where their complicated relationship becomes increasingly strained. Vicky Krieps and Patsy Ferran also star in the film, which examines family relationships, illness, independence and emotional control. The film premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2025 before its UK theatrical release in July.
2025 — Echo Valley
Michael Pearce directed Echo Valley, a psychological thriller starring Julianne Moore, Sydney Sweeney and Domhnall Gleeson. Shaw plays Leslie Oliver in the story of a mother whose life is thrown into turmoil when her troubled daughter arrives unexpectedly under shocking circumstances. The film combines family drama with crime and suspense as the truth surrounding the daughter’s situation gradually emerges. Apple released the feature globally on Apple TV+ on June 13, 2025.
2025 — Park Avenue
Park Avenue is a drama directed and co-written by Gaby Dellal, starring Shaw as Kit alongside Katherine Waterston and Chaske Spencer. The story follows Charlotte, a woman escaping a controlling marriage who returns to her mother’s New York apartment, forcing the two women to confront their complicated relationship and buried family history. Shaw plays the sophisticated and sharp-tongued Kit, making the mother-daughter relationship the emotional centre of the film. The movie received festival screenings in 2025 and a UK and Irish cinema release on November 14, 2025.
2026 — Ladies First
Ladies First is a comedy directed by Thea Sharrock and starring Sacha Baron Cohen, Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Emily Mortimer and Fiona Shaw. The film follows a womanizing advertising executive who wakes up in a parallel world where women hold most of the social and professional power. Shaw is part of the supporting ensemble in this gender-swapped satire, which was released globally on Netflix on May 22, 2026. Her appearance adds another contemporary comedy credit to a film career that has repeatedly moved between serious drama and lighter material.
2026 — The Education of Jane Cumming
The Education of Jane Cumming is a British-German-Swiss period drama directed by Sophie Heldman. Shaw plays Lady Cumming Gordon in a story set in Edinburgh in 1810, where two teachers establish a girls’ boarding school and become caught up in a scandal involving a pupil and accusations about their relationship. Flora Nicholson, Clare Dunne and Mia Tharia lead the cast alongside Shaw. The feature premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2026 and subsequently screened at festivals including the Edinburgh International Film Festival, making it an officially released 2026 film despite its later wider theatrical plans.
Conclusion
Fiona Shaw’s movie career has developed across an unusually broad range of genres and filmmaking traditions. From early British and Irish dramas such as Sacred Hearts and My Left Foot to international productions such as Mountains of the Moon, Anna Karenina and The Black Dahlia, she has consistently taken on distinctive supporting and character roles. Her portrayal of Petunia Dursley made her familiar to a worldwide audience through the Harry Potter films, while later projects such as Colette, Ammonite, Kindred, Hot Milk and Echo Valley have continued to showcase her dramatic range. Her filmography also includes animated voice work, narration and brief cameo appearances, demonstrating the variety of her screen career. From her earliest films to her 2026 releases, Fiona Shaw movies by year reflect a career defined by versatility, strong character work and a willingness to move between mainstream productions and independent cinema.
