Sara was born in Edinburgh Scotland, to American parents. After spending some time in the US, she trained at The Central School of Speech and Drama, and made London her home. Her work has been diverse, ranging from classical tragic heroines like "Natalya Petrovna" in Turgenyev's "Month in the Country" for the RSC; Gwyneth Paltrow's overbearing sister in "Proof" for its London premiere; to comic characters like the louche "Stella" in the TV series _"Sugar Rush" (2005)_ .

Now based in Twickenham, she is married to actor Aden Gillett, with whom she has 2 children and 2 dogs.
Devoted Italian Spinone dog owner, she enjoys long walks in her local London parks. Because her parents were American, she has dual nationality: US/UK. Educated at state schools in Edinburgh, her "best friend" at nursery and primary school, was singer Shirley Manson, now of Garbage. Her "best friend" from high school is actress Rebecca Pidgeon (wife of David Mamet).