Sterling-Brown was born in
Brighouse,
Calderdale, but split growing up between there and
Hertfordshire. She attended
Lightcliffe Academy from 2008 to 2015. Sterling-Brown wanted to pursue a career in law as a teenager, but was advised by her drama teacher to pursue acting. She turned down a place at law school despite her mother wanting her to take law. She then obtained a BA in acting at the
University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) from 2015 to 2018. When she started at UCLan, she began appearing in various stage productions, making her stage debut as the lead role in
Hedda Gabler. In 2018, after leaving university, she moved to
Manchester and began volunteering at her local
Samaritans branch since a man she knew killed himself. She continues to volunteer at least once a week alongside her acting, as well as singing in a band at her local church. The role marked Sterling-Brown's first major television role, after previously doing advertisements for Samaritans and various other mental health campaigns. which she went on to win. She has also been nominated within the Rising Star category at the
28th National Television Awards, as well as Best Newcomer at the
2023 Inside Soap Awards. After three years in the role, her exit was announced in October 2025, with her final scenes set to air in late 2025. ==Stage==