Shelley Conn was born in London to Anglo-Indian parents. She studied at Queen Mary's College in Basingstoke before training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. She is distantly related to the renowned Anglo-Indian Hollywood actress Merle Oberon, who was a first cousin of her grandfather. Although Conn never met Oberon, she has spoken of her as an early inspiration.
Both of Conn’s parents were born in India as British citizens and were raised with a strong connection to British culture. In interviews, Conn has shared that her parents were brought up Catholic, spoke exclusively in English, and held British passports. They later moved to England, where Conn was born and raised.
After graduating from drama school, Conn began her acting career with small roles in various British films. Her breakout role came when she portrayed Ashika Chandiramani in the BBC television drama Party Animals. She went on to appear in several other BBC series, including Mersey Beat and Casualty, establishing herself as a versatile television actress.
In 2002, Conn made her stage debut with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She performed in several plays at the Gielgud Theatre, including The Island Princess, Eastward Ho, and The Roman Actor. Her stage work demonstrated her classical training and adaptability in both contemporary and period roles.
Conn has had a prolific career across television, film, and theater. On television, she gained recognition for roles such as Miranda Hill in The Palace, Jessica in Mistresses, and Neela Sahjani in Trial & Retribution. She also played Claire in the British horror satire Dead Set and Danni Prendiville in the crime drama Strike Back, where she was noted for her dynamic performances and range.
Her versatility caught the attention of international producers, and she was cast by Steven Spielberg in the high-budget American TV series Terra Nova. In 2014, she appeared in the American drama The Lottery, further establishing her presence in transatlantic television markets.
| Net Worth 2021: | 20 million |
