Justine Mitchell

Justine Mitchell
Born1973 (age 52–53)
Dublin, Ireland
Occupation
  • Actress
Years active1997–present

Justine Mitchell is an Irish actress. She is best known for playing Elaine Lynch in the Irish thriller series Smother.

Early life

Mitchell was born in Dublin in 1973 to Denis Mitchell, a barrister, and later a judge in Bermuda; he was formerly an RTE journalist who was a major inspiration for her career and helped her with her first sketch. When she was 12, her family moved to Hong Kong where she was bullied for her Irish accent. She said theatre helped her stay calm during tough times, and developed a posh English accent. After returning to Ireland she studied drama at Trinity College Dublin. She moved to London where she worked various jobs aside from acting including working for Brentford F.C.[1]

Career

Prior to becoming a television star, Mitchell had a very successful theatre career. She was the winner of the Irish Times Best Supporting Actress in 2002 and of the UK Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2015.[2] Her first big role came playing Elaine Lynch in the thriller series Smother.[3][4] She made a one off appearance in the sitcom Derry Girls where portrayed the adult version of Janette.[5] She is currently playing Sandra in the Irish thriller series These Sacred Vows.[6][7]

Personal life

Her favourite shows as a child were Anything Goes, Wanderly Wagon, and Mister Ed. She was heavily influenced by Linda Carter of Wonder Woman while her favourite ever show is I Love Lucy. In February 2026 she stated her current favourite show is Barry starring Bill Hader.[8]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997Painted LadyNurse
2003Goldfish MemoryKate
2003Conspiracy of SilenceAssistant Floor Manager
2003Citizen VerdictJessica Landers
2003The HoneymoonersFiona
2004Inside I'm DancingDoctor
2005A Cock and Bull StoryTony's Director
2005Song of SongsLaura
2005Imagine Me & YouLaura
2007I Want CandyWailing Daughter
2009Sleep With MeCatrin
2011SiberiaKellyShort
2011National Theatre Live: King LearRegan
2013The StagLinda
2021The MauritanianCathy Taylor
2022MarylandPC Eddowes
2025HamnetJoan

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Doctor Who: The Monthly AdventuresLucy MartinEpisode; Seasons of Fear
2005New TricksScarletEpisode; Old and Cold
2006AfterlifeClaireEpisode; Your Hand in Mine
2006DoctorsClare WhartonEpisode; One Part TLC, Two Parts Shoe Leather
2008Waking the DeadUna Doyle2 episodes
2009Psych WardValerie Johnson2 episodes
2010Wild at Heart Julie KagonaEpisode; #5.2
2010Your Bad SelfWoman6 episodes
2012Harry & PaulVariousEpisode; #4.2
2013The Suspicions of Mr WhicherSister AnneEpisode; The Murder of Mr Whicher
2014AmberMaeve Flynn-Dunne4 episodes
2019PureConnie2 episodes
2019CheatDI Bould4 episodes
2020Finding JoyMaeve Morris2 episodes
2020-2021TryingLizzie3 episodes
2022Derry GirlsAdult JanetteEpisode; The Reunion
2022Conversations with FriendsPaula5 episodes
2022A Spy Among FriendsEleanor PhilbyEpisode; No Man's Land
2021-2023SmotherElaine Lynch18 episodes
2023The CrownSarah McCorquodaleEpisode; Aftermath
2024The DryAine HarringtonEpisode; Camping
2024IndustryRose Winter2 episodes
2024StorylandRuth's Mother on PhoneEpisode; Shush
2024Bad SistersEileen Ryan3 episodes
2024Black DovesEmma Yarrick2 episodes
2025LynleyBeth LarwoodEpisode; Careless in Red
2026How to Get to Heaven from BelfastRossa2 episodes
2026These Sacred VowsSandra3 episodes

References

  1. ↑ "'It's easy to get mugged by your brain' - Smother actress Justine Mitchell on learning to trust her heart". independent.ie. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  2. ↑ "Justine Mitchell". onyrapidarts.com. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "Justine Mitchell on the Season Finale of 'Smother'". newstalk.com. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "RTE Smother's Justine Mitchell says the idea of being spiked like her character Elaine is 'terrifying'". rsvplive.com. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Lia Williams out, Justine Mitchell in for Alma Mater at the Almeida". westendtheatre.com. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  6. ↑ "Details announced for new RTÉ drama series These Sacred Vows". scannain.com. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "India Mullen, Justine Mitchell, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor and Jason O'Mara To Take 'These Sacred Vows' For RTE". deadline.com. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
  8. ↑ "My TV: Smother's Justine Mitchell talks telly". rte.ie. Retrieved 16 February 2026.
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