Her 1997 play, "The Winter Guest", was adapted into a film and directed
by the actor Alan Rickman, with whom she is good friends.
Educated at the University of Edinburgh.
Her first play "When I Was a Girl I Use to Scream and Shout," written
while performing as an actress at the Royal Court Theatre, won the
Evening Standard Award for "most promising playwright."
Her first play, When I Was A Girl I Used to Scream And Shout, earned
the 1984 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Most Promising
Playwright.
She is of Scottish and Welsh ancestry.
Daughter of Joseph (1913-1981) and Janet (née Williams) Macdonald (1916-1981), both from Glasgow, Scotland.
Her parents did not marry until 1962 when Sharman was 11-years-old; which was unusual for the time.
Grandmother of Edie (b. 2015) and Delilah Righton (b. 2019) via daughter Keira Knightley.
Maternal granddaughter of William (1894-1974) and Jeanie Stewart (née Dewar) Williams (1894-1983).
Maternal great granddaughter of John (1866-1948) and Janet (née Rowatt) Dewar (1869-1950).
Maternal great great granddaughter of James (1833-1876) and Jane (née Stewart) Rowat (1833-1896).