Mind the gender gap: Sheffield women leading in entertainment

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When referencing Sheffield's entertainment history, we often prattle on about Arctic Monkeys, Def Leppard or Michael Palin. It’s a trap we all fall into.

Whilst they’re all talented people who Sheffield is very proud of, they have one thing in common: they’re all men. 

So… why don't we hear about any influential women? It seems like a betrayal to claim there just ‘aren’t any’ and , as history has proven, women's talent is often overlooked, undermined and erased in comparison to their male counterparts. 

In honour of Women's History Month, here’s a list of influential Sheffield women in the entertainment industry today to help bring women back into the conversation. 

Emily Maitlis 

University of Sheffield graduate Emily Maitlis is a BBC Journalist and presenter, a podcast host on The News Agents and an author! Her 2019 Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew was adapted into the Netflix movie Scoop in 2024, which starred Maitlis played by Gillian Anderson. GQ Magazine has dubbed her one of the most influential people in Britain. 

Sophie and the Giants 

Whilst not originally from the city, the mixed gender Sheffield-based band Sophie and the Giants includes female artists Sophie Scott (vocalist and guitarist) and Antonia Pooles (Bassist). The band of four moved here in 2017 and have been making music ever since, even completing a 13 date tour across Europe last Winter! Sophie recently used her social media platforms to speak out against trends promoting emotional numbness saying that “if that’s what it means to be an It-girl or a popstar, I am not interested.”

Ellie Colton 

BBC Breakfast presenter and Sheffielder Ellie Colton won the Radio Academy 30 under 30 award in 2024. In 2025 she landed an exclusive interview with Pulp band member Jarvis Cocker and has recently announced plans to present a documentary in collaboration with Wander Films UK in 2026. Ellie is open on social media about her diagnosis with endometriosis and uses her platform to advocate for more awareness about the condition. 

Candida Doyle 

Born in Belfast but raised in Sheffield, Pulp Keyboard player Candida Doyle is one of the phenomenal musicians behind iconic tracks such as Common People and This Is Hardcore. She was diagnosed with arthritis at age 17 and kept it a secret, but in recent years has opened up about her experiences and is now an ambassador for Arthritis Action, where she encourages others, young and old, to live a good life despite the condition. In an interview with Arthritis Action, Candida encouraged others with arthritis hoping to break into the music industry by saying, “If you really want to do it, you will do it.”

Edited by Gabriella Whiston