Justine Mitchell

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.

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. Her first big role came playing Elaine Lynch in the thriller series Smother. She made a one off appearance in the sitcom Derry Girls where portrayed the adult version of Janette. She is currently playing Sandra in the Irish thriller series These Sacred Vows.

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.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1997 Painted Lady Nurse 2003 Goldfish Memory Kate 2003 Conspiracy of Silence Assistant Floor Manager 2003 Citizen Verdict Jessica Landers 2003 The Honeymooners Fiona 2004 Inside I'm Dancing Doctor 2005 A Cock and Bull Story Tony's Director 2005 Song of Songs Laura 2005 Imagine Me & You Laura 2007 I Want Candy Wailing Daughter 2009 Sleep With Me Catrin 2011 Siberia Kelly Short 2011 National Theatre Live: King Lear Regan 2013 The Stag Linda 2021 The Mauritanian Cathy Taylor 2022 Maryland PC Eddowes 2025 Hamnet Joan

Television Year Title Role Notes 2002 Doctor Who: The Monthly Adventures Lucy Martin Episode; Seasons of Fear 2005 New Tricks Scarlet Episode; Old and Cold 2006 Afterlife Claire Episode; Your Hand in Mine 2006 Doctors Clare Wharton Episode; One Part TLC, Two Parts Shoe Leather 2008 Waking the Dead Una Doyle 2 episodes 2009 Psych Ward Valerie Johnson 2 episodes 2010 Wild at Heart Julie Kagona Episode; #5.2 2010 Your Bad Self Woman 6 episodes 2012 Harry & Paul Various Episode; #4.2 2013 The Suspicions of Mr Whicher Sister Anne Episode; The Murder of Mr Whicher 2014 Amber Maeve Flynn-Dunne 4 episodes 2019 Pure Connie 2 episodes 2019 Cheat DI Bould 4 episodes 2020 Finding Joy Maeve Morris 2 episodes 2020-2021 Trying Lizzie 3 episodes 2022 Derry Girls Adult Janette Episode; The Reunion 2022 Conversations with Friends Paula 5 episodes 2022 A Spy Among Friends Eleanor Philby Episode; No Man's Land 2021-2023 Smother Elaine Lynch 18 episodes 2023 The Crown Sarah McCorquodale Episode; Aftermath 2024 The Dry Aine Harrington Episode; Camping 2024 Industry Rose Winter 2 episodes 2024 Storyland Ruth's Mother on Phone Episode; Shush 2024 Bad Sisters Eileen Ryan 3 episodes 2024 Black Doves Emma Yarrick 2 episodes 2025 Lynley Beth Larwood Episode; Careless in Red 2026 How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Rossa 2 episodes 2026 These Sacred Vows Sandra 3 episodes