She is best known for her role as hospital receptionist Lizzie Hopkirk in the ITV1 drama series The Royal. Hardwick studied Performing Arts at Park Lane College, Leeds and then attended Scala Performing Arts, Leeds. Following which she has acted in the theatre as well as appearing on television. She has taken notable roles in Heartbeat and Coronation Street. Hardwick appeared in Coronation Street in 1997 as Sheila Dixon and in 1998 as Naomi Russell. In 2012 she had a minor role in Hollyoaks as D.I. Parker who arrested character Mitzeee Minniver