Sharp's screen debut was in Alan Clarke's "Rita, Sue and Bob Too" (1986), playing Bob's wife, Michelle. She appeared in another Clarke-directed project, as Valerie in the filmed version of Jim Cartwright's successful stageplay "Road" (1987). Further film appearances included supporting roles in "The Rachel Papers" (1989) and Stephen Poliakoff's "Close My Eyes", with Clive Owen and Alan Rickman. Sharp was establishing herself as a talented actress and social realist roles in Mike Leigh's "Naked" (1993) and the Jimmy McGovern-penned "Priest" (1994) further raised her profile. By the time she was in "Prime Suspect 4: The Lost Child" (1995) and "The Full Monty" (1997) she had become a well-known performer in Britain.