She is also known for her role as Courtney in Waterloo Road and has starred in the ABC Family drama Switched at Birth (2014–2017), the BBC2 sitcom White Gold (2019), and the Channel 5 series All Creatures Great and Small (2020–).

In 2018, Shenton won an Academy Award for her short film The Silent Child, which she wrote, produced and starred in.

[3] Shenton's acting career began with small recurring parts in various television series such as Holby City and Waterloo Road.

Before her character had appeared on-screen Shenton received media attention for her image, with tabloids reporting on her likeness to Cheryl Cole.

On 28 April 2014, it was announced that Shenton would make her US television debut in season 3 of the ABC Family drama Switched at Birth playing young student teacher Lilly Summers.

In August 2017, Shenton appeared in The Silent Child, a film which she created and co-produced with her husband Chris Overton.

[12] In March 2019, Shenton joined the cast of the BBC2 comedy series White Gold, playing Jo Scott, a motivational speaker turned window saleswoman, alongside James Buckley and Joe Thomas.

Significant changes were made from the source material (both the previous television series and the memoir), allowing the role of Helen to be greatly expanded.

[21] Shenton founded The Midlands Screen Acting School in 2013, creating opportunities for actors wanting to enter the industry in her home town of Stoke-on-Trent.

[26] In July 2019, Shenton was commended with an honorary degree from Keele University for her "outstanding contribution in raising awareness for educational support for disabilities in children, as an inspirational role model for young people, and for her commitment to equality and diversity".