Shannen is a Belfast-born actor whose work spans theatre, screen, and commercial performance. A graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, she had the opportunity to perform a number of iconic Shakespearean roles, including Lady Macbeth. Her work there led to her being selected to workshop with the Royal Shakespeare Company upon graduation.

Alongside her conservatoire training, Shannen trained with the Lyric Drama Studio and Tinderbox Theatre Company's Play Machine, and was awarded the FinTrU Theatre Bursary in recognition of her professional development.

Her theatre credits include productions with leading Northern Irish companies including Kabosh (Fever), Big Telly Theatre Company (Operation Online), Bright Umbrella (Othello), Tinderbox Theatre Company (Ignition), and the Lyric Theatre Belfast (The Heresy of Love). She also toured throughout Northern Ireland with Partisan Productions' acclaimed production of Shared?, performing across communities nationwide.

On screen, Shannen's credits include Defrost (Northern Ireland Screen), Femme Fatale (BBC), and Beach Baby (MK).