Sarah Snook is an Australian actress born December 1, 1987, in Adelaide, who achieved international acclaim through her Emmy Award-winning portrayal of Siobhan “Shiv” Roy in HBO’s “Succession” from 2018 to 2023. After graduating from the National Institute of Dramatic Art in 2008, she established herself in Australian television and film before gaining global recognition at the Cannes Film Festival with “Sleeping Beauty” in 2011. Her extensive career spans theatre, television, and cinema across multiple continents and prestigious awards.
Sarah Snook, the acclaimed Australian actress who gained international recognition through her Emmy Award-winning portrayal of Siobhan “Shiv” Roy in HBO’s critically lauded series “Succession,” has established herself as one of the most versatile performers of her generation across film, television, and theatre.
Born December 1, 1987, in Adelaide, South Australia, Snook attended Scotch College on a drama scholarship before pursuing formal training at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, where she graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting.
Snook’s professional career commenced in Sydney theatre before shifting to screen acting with her first television role in the Australian medical drama “All Saints” in 2009. Her breakthrough came with “Sisters of War” in 2010, earning her an AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama, which established her reputation within Australian entertainment.
Snook’s transition from Sydney theatre to television stardom began with “All Saints,” leading to her breakthrough AACTA Award-winning performance in “Sisters of War.”
The film “Sleeping Beauty,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011, further elevated her profile internationally, while she continued building her filmography with roles in “Not Suitable for Children” and “These Final Hours.”
The 2014 science fiction thriller “Predestination” marked Snook’s move to international recognition, earning her the Australian Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress. She subsequently appeared in notable films including “The Dressmaker,” “Steve Jobs,” and “The Glass Castle,” demonstrating her range across dramatic and character-driven narratives.
Her filmography expanded with diverse projects such as “Winchester,” “An American Pickle,” “Pieces of a Woman,” and more recently “Run Rabbit Run” and “The Beanie Bubble.”
However, Snook’s portrayal of Shiv Roy in “Succession” from 2018 to 2023 transformed her into a globally recognized performer, earning her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and multiple Golden Globe Awards. She also made notable appearances in other television series, including the anthology series Black Mirror.
The role showcased her ability to navigate complex character development within high-stakes political and family dynamics, cementing her status among television’s elite performers.
Simultaneously maintaining her theatre career, Snook has performed in productions including “King Lear,” “The Master Builder,” and “Saint Joan.”
Her West End and Broadway debut in “The Picture of Dorian Gray” during 2024-2025 earned her both a Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play, making her one of the few performers to achieve recognition across all major entertainment mediums.
Snook’s extensive awards collection, including multiple AACTA Awards and international film festival honors, reflects her consistent excellence and establishes her as a leading figure in contemporary Australian acting talent with significant global impact. In 2024, she also provided the voice for the protagonist in the animated film Memoir of a Snail, showcasing her versatility in voice acting.
