Jenny Seagrove Biography, Partner, Movies and Current Work

If you grew up watching British television in the 1980s, Jenny Seagrove’s face is probably familiar. She starred in films like Local Hero and was a regular presence on the BBC drama circuit. But her story doesn’t end with acting — today she’s equally known for running a horse sanctuary in Surrey and championing integrative medicine.

Born: 4 July 1957 ·
Birthplace: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ·
Known for: Role as Jo Mills in BBC drama ·
Film debut: Moonlighting (1982) ·
Marriages: Never married

The table below lays out Jenny Seagrove’s key biographical details at a glance.

The implication: Seagrove’s personal life is stable and long-term yet deliberately undocumented in formal terms.

How many times has Jenny Seagrove been married?

Jenny Seagrove has never been married, according to her Wikipedia biography. She has been in a long-term relationship with actor Martin Shaw since the early 2000s, though the couple has not publicly confirmed a formal partnership. The relationship is widely reported in media but lacks an authoritative source beyond mutual public appearances and stage collaborations.

What is Jenny Seagrove doing now?

Today, Seagrove is deeply involved in two parallel pursuits: animal welfare and integrative medicine. She founded Mane Chance Sanctuary in Surrey in 2011, a charity that rescues horses and provides therapeutic contact for children and adults with mental health needs (Mane Chance Sanctuary official site). The sanctuary currently cares for 41 horses, two sheep, a goat, hens and a cow (Mane Chance Sanctuary history page).

The pattern: Seagrove has shifted entirely from performance to public service, building a tangible community asset.

Jenny Seagrove and Integrative Medicine

She is also a co-organizer of the Integrative and Personalised Medicine 2026 conference, a role that signals her commitment to a holistic approach to health (Mane Chance Sanctuary official site). The conference brings together practitioners from conventional and alternative medicine fields.

Jenny Seagrove and Mane Chance Sanctuary

The sanctuary’s mission is “Transforming Lives Together” (High Sheriff of Surrey report). It works with young people dealing with ADHD, autism, eating disorders, self-harm and chronic anxiety (togetherTalks interview on YouTube). Seagrove has said the sanctuary was started after a call about horses in need, and she secured land on Monkshatch Garden Farm to house them.

Are Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove friends?

Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove are more than friends — they are long-term partners. The two have starred together in multiple stage productions, including Murder on Air (2008), The Country Girl (2011) and Brief Encounter (2015) (Wikipedia biography). Shaw has publicly thanked Seagrove and the Mane Chance team for “nurturing and sharing their horses” (Mane Chance Sanctuary — Martin Shaw page).

The implication: Their relationship is professional and personal, built on shared stage work and a common passion for animal welfare.

Where does Jenny Seagrove live now?

She lives in the United Kingdom, near the Mane Chance Sanctuary in Compton, Guildford, Surrey (Community Foundation for Surrey profile). The sanctuary is located on Monkshatch Garden Farm, which she secured after the charity was established.

What movies and TV shows has Jenny Seagrove been in?

Seagrove’s film career began in 1982 with Moonlighting, directed by Jerzy Skolimowski. The following year she appeared in two notable films: Local Hero (directed by Bill Forsyth) and the Oscar-winning short film A Shocking Accident (Wikipedia biography). She also played the role of Jo Mills in a BBC drama series, which became one of her most recognised television credits.

Jenny Seagrove in Local Hero

In Local Hero, Seagrove played the role of Marina, a free-spirited woman in a small Scottish village. The film has become a cult classic, and her performance is often cited as a highlight of her early career.

Eight films and TV shows, one pattern: Seagrove often played sensitive, morally grounded characters in ensemble dramas. Her Wikipedia entry describes her as “a sensitive heroine of 1980s TV romances” (Wikipedia biography).

Who is Martin Shaw’s partner now?

Martin Shaw’s partner is Jenny Seagrove. They have been together since the early 2000s, according to multiple reports. Shaw, known for roles in The Professionals and Judge John Deed, has been married twice before, but his current relationship with Seagrove is his longest-standing partnership.

For audiences in the UK, Jenny Seagrove represents a rare crossover: a screen actress who swapped the spotlight for a muddy field and built a community resource from scratch. The takeaway is clear: her legacy is no longer defined by her filmography but by the lives she touches through Mane Chance Sanctuary. For anyone curious about the person behind the roles, the sanctuary’s gates are open — and the horses are there to demonstrate the consequence of her choices.