So far Maria has enjoyed a rich career as an actor in mainstream and small-scale theatre, film and TV. She trained in rep at Chipping Norton Theatre 1982 to 1983 where tutors included Wendy Greenhill (RSC) plus Dudley Sutton and Stuart Barron of Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop. Other creative work has included creating site specific participatory theatre for her own charity, writing (journalism, screenplays, documentary), TV presenting (BBC and STV) and exploring drama with adults with learning disabilities in further education.

Recent theatre credits include co writing and performing with Jo Clifford, The Not So Ugly Duckling a Play for Grownups, selected for Made In Scotland Showcase Edinburgh Fringe 2022. In addition Maria has performed the lead in touring productions of two other plays she has written: Miss Lindsay’s Secret and LIFE, both supported by Creative Scotland and achieving 4 and 5 star reviews.

Recent TV includes a major role in Shetland (ITV Productions for BBC).