The Romesh Ranganathan Show Sheridan Smith: Comedy, Imposter Syndrome & Her Dream Role
Feb 16, 2026
Sheridan Smith, award-winning British actor celebrated for stage and screen roles, reflects on her rise from comedy to the West End. She talks about imposter syndrome and learning on the job. Conversations cover rehearsals and emotional strain for Women in Mind, her varied career choices, and how therapy, resilience and self-talk shape her work.
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Therapy Dog Winston Joins The Process
- Sheridan introduced her therapy dog Winnie who joined her while she was in London and even made a TV debut.
- She uses Winnie for comfort on long runs of the show and keeps a mat for the dog in her dressing room.
Nonlinear Routes Can Lead To Major Breaks
- Sheridan describes a non-traditional path into acting via youth theatre, West End chorus work and being spotted by agents.
- She attributes much of her early success to luck and opportunity rather than formal drama-school training.
Imposter Feelings Persist Despite Success
- Sheridan says lack of formal training intensified her imposter syndrome, especially when confronted with classical texts.
- With age she accepts gaps in knowledge and feels less pressured to know every technical term.