[3] At an early age, her family moved to nearby Eccleshill, West Yorkshire, also in Bradford, where she attended St Joseph's College.

[6] McShera's acting career started after university in 2007, with roles in the soap operas Emmerdale and Doctors and the drama Survivors in 2008.

[7] Following her departure from Waterloo Road, McShera became part of the cast of Julian Fellowes' ITV costume drama Downton Abbey as Daisy, the kitchen maid.

[14] She displayed her singing skills as lady's maid Gwynne in the ABC musical comedy series Galavant.

Her stage roles include playing the eponymous role in the pantomime Cinderella at the West Yorkshire Playhouse between December 2009 and January 2010,[15] In 1998 she appeared as Annie alongside Paul O'Grady for the show's London run and subsequent tour.