Her other television roles include as Lynda Day in Press Gang (1989–1993), as Hannah Greyshott in Second Thoughts (1991–1994) and its sequel series, Faith in the Future (1995–1998), Lydia Bennet in the television miniseries of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1995), Georgina and Kid's vocal effects in Sheeep (2000–2001), Carla Borrego in Jonathan Creek (2001–2004) and Dorcas Lane in the BBC's costume drama Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011).

[6] Sawalha made her debut in the 1982 BBC miniseries Fame Is the Spur,[7] and in 1988 played a small role in Inspector Morse,[8] on the episode "Last Seen Wearing".

[8] In 1992, she appeared in episode "Parade" (S2 E4) of Bottom as Veronica Head, a beautiful young barmaid at the Lamb and Flag, whom Richie tries to woo by boasting falsely of his adventures in the Falklands.

From 1992 to 2012, Sawalha played strait-laced daughter Saffron "Saffy" Monsoon in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous,[8] alongside Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley.

The following year, she became Alan Davies's co-star in Jonathan Creek after Caroline Quentin left, appearing in a Christmas Special ("Satan's Chimney").

[8] On 9 May 2015, she read the account of a member of the Women's Land Army at VE Day 70: A Party to Remember in Horse Guards Parade, London, which was broadcast live on BBC1.

[citation needed] In 2016, she appeared in an episode of Midsomer Murders,[8] and reprised her role as Saffy Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

[8] In July 2020, she made a statement revealing Aardman Animations intended to recast her character of Ginger in the upcoming sequel to Chicken Run, stating that she is now considered to sound too old, and commented "I have officially been plucked, stuffed & roasted".