Crichlow's first professional acting role came when she was cast alongside Billie Piper in the television film "Bella and the Boys". She made her first feature film appearance in the low-budget horror film "Wilderness", released in 2006, and her first television appearance in the ITV police drama series "The Bill." Crichlow came to public prominence starring as Maria "Sugar" Sweet in Channel 4's adaptation of the Julie Burchill novel "Sugar Rush", which won the 2006 International Emmy Award in the Children And Young People category.