From the West End stage to the Strictly Come Dancing finale, Sarah Hadland has spent over three decades entertaining British audiences. Best known for her scene-stealing role as Stevie in the BAFTA-nominated sitcom Miranda, this versatile actress has proven herself time and again across comedy, drama, and now ballroom dancing.
But there’s so much more to Sarah Hadland than her most famous characters. She’s a trained dancer who started her career in musical theatre, a single mother who balances career with family life, and—as she discovered on Strictly—someone who still finds new ways to surprise herself.
This article covers everything you need to know about Sarah Hadland: her early life, career highlights, personal life, and what she’s doing now.
Quick Facts About Sarah Hadland
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sarah Hadland |
| Born | 15 May 1971 (age 54) |
| Birthplace | St Albans, Hertfordshire, England |
| Occupation | Actress, Voice Artist |
| Years Active | 1994–present |
| Height | 5 ft 1 in (155 cm) |
| Notable Roles | Stevie Sutton in Miranda, Trish in The Job Lot, Linda Radleigh in Waterloo Road |
| Children | 1 (son) |
| Strictly Come Dancing | Finalist (Runner-up), 2024 |
Early Life and Background
Sarah Hadland was born on 15 May 1971 in St Albans, Hertfordshire . She grew up in the area before moving to Cheshire for her schooling, attending Wilmslow High School .
It was during her school years that Sarah’s passion for performing began to take shape. She became involved in amateur dramatics with the Tempo youth group in Wilmslow, discovering a love for the stage that would define her career .
After leaving home at 16, Sarah trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts College in Epsom, Surrey . This formal training provided the foundation for what would become a remarkably varied career spanning theatre, television, film, and voice work.
Career and Major Achievements
Theatre and Early Career
Sarah Hadland’s professional journey began on the West End stage. At just 19, she landed roles in two of the most famous musicals of all time: Cats and Grease . Her musical theatre background gave her a strong technical foundation—she had trained in ballet from the age of three .
After six years in the West End, Sarah transitioned to touring theatre, performing in productions such as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? . She also began developing her voiceover talents during this period, with credits including the white kitten in a Catsan commercial and an American surfer girl for a VO5 shampoo advert .
Her more recent theatre credits include the legendary farce Noises Off in the West End, Admissions at the Trafalgar Theatre, Dance Nation at The Almeida, and The Way of the World at The Donmar Warehouse .
Breakthrough Television Roles
Sarah’s television career began with supporting roles in Bad Girls and The Bill, before she moved on to larger parts in comedies like Green Wing and Broken News .
Her big breakthrough came when she joined the cast of Miranda in 2009, playing the lovable joke shop manager Stevie Sutton. The BAFTA-nominated BBC sitcom, created by and starring Miranda Hart, became a huge hit. Sarah appeared in all three series and the 2020 special, and she remains incredibly fond of the experience .
“I feel lucky to have done a job that has given me a good friend for life,” she told The Sun. “I’d love to do another series, but it’s up to Miranda because she writes the show” .
Other Notable TV Work
Beyond Miranda, Sarah has built an impressive and varied television career:
- The Job Lot (2013–2015): She played the lead role of Trish in this ITV sitcom set in a West Midlands Jobcentre, earning an RTS nomination for Best Comedy Performance
- Horrible Histories: She was an original cast member of this multi-award-winning CBBC show
- Waterloo Road: She played new English teacher Linda Radleigh in the BBC drama
- That Mitchell and Webb Look: She appeared in the hit sketch show alongside David Mitchell and Robert Webb
- Daddy Issues: Sarah currently stars as Rita in this smash-hit BBC comedy alongside Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey
Film Appearances
Sarah’s film credits include a memorable appearance in the 2008 James Bond film Quantum of Solace as the Ocean Sky receptionist . She also appeared in the improvised comedy Confetti, Magicians (with David Mitchell and Robert Webb), and Leap Year alongside Amy Adams .
Strictly Come Dancing: A Life-Changing Experience
In August 2024, Sarah was announced as a contestant on the twenty-second series of Strictly Come Dancing—having turned down the invitation “at least ten” times before .
Partnered with professional dancer Vito Coppola, the pair exceeded all expectations, reaching the final and finishing as runners-up behind Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell .
For Sarah, the experience was transformative. “I think as women you often have that self-doubt. But now I don’t let it stop me,” she told the Mirror . She credits Vito with teaching her a powerful lesson: “Now I reframe ‘I can’t’ as ‘I can’t… yet.’ Because I won’t know if I don’t try. And that’s quite a powerful feeling” .
Sarah Hadland has become a source of inspiration for many, particularly women who feel they’ve been written off. “Women come up to me every day and it makes me cry because there are two things they all say. They feel people have written them off—but, worse, they’ve accepted it” .
Personal Life
Family and Relationships
Sarah is a single mother to her son, and she’s spoken openly about the challenges and joys of balancing work and parenting . When discussing her pantomime role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, she explained that location was a key factor: “as a single parent, the logistics of a job is always can I get home, can I commute, how will it work with child care?” .
Sarah has also spoken about the support she received from her mother, who had been “badgering” her to appear on Strictly for years. She first turned down the show several times, but eventually her mother’s persistence—and her own readiness—won out .
Fitness and Marathon Running
Away from her acting work, Sarah keeps fit by running. “My paternal grandfather was a reserve runner for the British Olympic team, so I like to think it’s in my genes,” she told The Times. She’s completed two London Marathons in under four hours .
Close Friendships
Sarah has formed lasting friendships through her work. Her Miranda co-star remains a close friend and even came to support her during Strictly rehearsals . She’s also close friends with actress Alex Kingston, who joked: “Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much we’d like to do Strictly. Then I discovered that she’s actually a trained ballet dancer. ‘Hang on a minute! That’s not fair!'”
Net Worth and Financial Success
While exact figures for Sarah Hadland’s net worth are not publicly disclosed, her three-decade career across theatre, television, film, and voice work has provided her with a solid and comfortable income. Her regular roles in hit shows like Miranda, The Job Lot, and Daddy Issues, combined with lucrative appearances on Strictly Come Dancing and the subsequent live tour, suggest she’s built a successful financial portfolio .
Interesting Facts About Sarah Hadland
- She started ballet at age three – Long before Strictly, Sarah was already a trained dancer
- She’s completed two London Marathons – Both in under four hours
- She turned down Strictly many times – Sarah was asked to appear “at least ten” times before accepting
- She played three different roles in Bleak Expectations – The BBC Radio 4 comedy series saw her voice Lily, Ripely Fecund, and Miss Christmasham
- She made young fans emotional – After Horrible Histories, young people tell her she “made their childhood lit”
- She was an original cast member of Horrible Histories – She was there from the very beginning of the multi-award-winning show
Legacy and Current Activities
Sarah Hadland continues to be one of the UK’s most versatile and recognisable performers. Her recent success on Strictly has introduced her to a whole new generation of fans .
Looking ahead, Sarah is excited about her upcoming projects. The second series of Daddy Issues is confirmed, and she’s expressed enthusiasm about exploring new storylines for her character Rita . She’s also been performing in pantomime, taking on the role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury .
Whether she’s performing on stage, appearing on screen, or making public appearances, Sarah brings warmth, humour, and authenticity to everything she does.
Conclusion
Sarah Hadland‘s journey from West End musicals to Strictly finalist is a testament to her talent, determination, and willingness to keep trying new things. For over 30 years, she’s entertained audiences with her comedic timing, versatility, and warmth—whether on stage, screen, or the dance floor.
What makes her story so inspiring is her honesty about self-doubt and the barriers she’s overcome. She didn’t always believe in herself, but she kept going. As she puts it: “It’s good to be vulnerable and open to trying. To just try, and see what happens when you do” .
Her message to others—particularly women who feel they’ve been written off—is simple and powerful: “Don’t put a ceiling on what you can achieve, at whatever age” .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How old is Sarah Hadland?
Sarah Hadland was born on 15 May 1971, making her 54 years old .
What is Sarah Hadland famous for?
Sarah Hadland is best known for playing Stevie Sutton in the BAFTA-nominated BBC sitcom Miranda and Trish in The Job Lot . She’s also known as an original cast member of Horrible Histories .
Did Sarah Hadland win Strictly Come Dancing?
Sarah Hadland reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 with professional partner Vito Coppola, finishing as runner-up to Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell .
Did Sarah Hadland go to drama school?
Yes, Sarah trained at Laine Theatre Arts College in Epsom, Surrey, after leaving home at 16 . She didn’t attend university or a traditional drama school, which she’s spoken about as a source of early insecurity .
Is Sarah Hadland a trained dancer?
Yes, Sarah trained in ballet from the age of three and began her professional career in West End musicals including Cats and Grease when she was 19 .
Who is Sarah Hadland’s partner?
Sarah’s professional partner on Strictly Come Dancing was Vito Coppola, with whom she reached the 2024 final . In her personal life, she is a single mother to her son .
