Mrs Sowerberry (Michelle Gomez) is the wife of the undertaker to whom Oliver is briefly apprenticed. She reacts to the news that Mr Sowerberry has bought the orphan by complaining bitterly that her husband spends money on "workhouse strays" while "imposing thrift" upon his wife. Mrs Sowerberry continues to bemoan his cruelty until Sowerberry grants her permission to buy a new hat, at which point she concedes that Oliver may stay, to sleep under the counter and eat the scraps left for the dog.