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Brenda Blethyn
Actor, WriterBorn February 20, 1946 (79 years)
Brenda Anne Blethyn is an English actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film. Blethyn has received two Academy Award nominations, two SAG Award nominations, two Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe Award nominations, winning one. In addition, she has won a BAFTA, an Empire Award and a Golden Lion, and has earned a Theater World Award and both a Critics' Circle Theatre Award and a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her theatrical work.
Born into a working class home in Ramsgate, Kent, Blethyn pursued an administrative career until her early 30s before enrolling in the Guildford School of Acting after the dissolution of her marriage in 1973. She subsequently joined the Royal National Theatre and received credits for her performances in Troilus and Cressida (1976) and Mysteries (1979). In 1981, Blethyn earned her first critical acclaim for Steaming.
In 1980, Blethyn made her television debut in Mike Leigh's film Grown-Ups; then, after a modest number of guest spots in several productions, in the mid-1980s she garnered leading roles in the short-living sitcoms Chance in a Million and The Labours of Erica. Having followed her big screen debut with smaller supporting roles in films such as The Witches (1990) and A River Runs Through It (1992), she made her real cinema breakthrough with her role in the 1996 dramedy Secrets & Lies, for which she received rave reviews.
Blethyn has since appeared in an eclectic range of films, including independent comedies such as Saving Grace (2000), Plots with a View (2002) and Clubland (2007), music-themed films like Little Voice (1998) and Beyond the Sea (2004) and big-budget dramas such as Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Atonement (2007). In addition, Blethyn has appeared in television productions including The Buddha of Suburbia (1993), Anne Frank: The Whole Story (2001), Belonging (2004) and War and Peace (2007). Her most recent leading role in TV drama is the title role in Vera (2011), playing Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Brenda Blethyn, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Born into a working class home in Ramsgate, Kent, Blethyn pursued an administrative career until her early 30s before enrolling in the Guildford School of Acting after the dissolution of her marriage in 1973. She subsequently joined the Royal National Theatre and received credits for her performances in Troilus and Cressida (1976) and Mysteries (1979). In 1981, Blethyn earned her first critical acclaim for Steaming.
In 1980, Blethyn made her television debut in Mike Leigh's film Grown-Ups; then, after a modest number of guest spots in several productions, in the mid-1980s she garnered leading roles in the short-living sitcoms Chance in a Million and The Labours of Erica. Having followed her big screen debut with smaller supporting roles in films such as The Witches (1990) and A River Runs Through It (1992), she made her real cinema breakthrough with her role in the 1996 dramedy Secrets & Lies, for which she received rave reviews.
Blethyn has since appeared in an eclectic range of films, including independent comedies such as Saving Grace (2000), Plots with a View (2002) and Clubland (2007), music-themed films like Little Voice (1998) and Beyond the Sea (2004) and big-budget dramas such as Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Atonement (2007). In addition, Blethyn has appeared in television productions including The Buddha of Suburbia (1993), Anne Frank: The Whole Story (2001), Belonging (2004) and War and Peace (2007). Her most recent leading role in TV drama is the title role in Vera (2011), playing Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Brenda Blethyn, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For
Brenda Blethyn Filmography
| 2025 | Dragonfly · as Elsie |
| 2021 | Charlotte · as Grossmama (voice) |
| 2020 | Kate & Koji (TV Series) · as Kate |
| 2016 | Ethel & Ernest · as Ethel Briggs (voice) |
| 2014 | Two Men in Town · as Emily Smith |
| 2013 | Henry Hugglemonster (TV Series) · as Ernestine Enormomonster |
| 2013 | Mary and Martha · as Martha |
| 2012 | Playhouse Presents (TV Series) · as Nina |
| 2011 | My Angel · as Headmistress |
| 2011 | |
| 2011 | Vera (TV Series) · as Vera Stanhope |
| 2010 | Super Duper Super Sleuths · as Mama Heffalump (voice) |
| 2009 | The Calling · as Sister Ignatious |
| 2009 | The Many Faces of... (TV Series) · as Mari Hoff |
| 2009 | Dead Man Running · as Mother |
| 2009 | London River · as Elisabeth |
| 2009 | Tigger & Pooh and a Musical Too · as Mama Heffalump (voice) |
| 2007 | War and Peace (TV Series) · as Márja Dmitrijewna Achrosímowa |
| 2007 | Atonement · as Grace Turner |
| 2007 | Introducing the Dwights · as Jean |
| 2006 | Mysterious Creatures · as Wendy Ainscow |
| 2006 | The New Adventures of Old Christine (TV Series) · as Angela Kimble |
| 2006 | Pride & Prejudice: The Politics of 18th Century Dating · as Mrs. Bennet |
| 2006 | Pride & Prejudice: The Life and Times of Jane Austen · as Mrs. Bennet |
| 2005 | Pride & Prejudice · as Mrs. Bennet |
| 2005 | On a Clear Day · as Joan |
| 2005 | Pooh's Heffalump Movie · as Mama Heffalump (voice) |
| 2004 | Beyond the Sea · as Polly Cassotto |
| 2004 | A Way of Life · as Annette |
| 2004 | Piccadilly Jim · as Nesta Pett |
| 2004 | Belonging · as Jess Copplestone |
| 2003 | Blizzard · as Aunt Millie |
| 2003 | Between the Sheets (TV Series) · as Hazel Delany |
| 2003 | Bob the Builder: The Knights of Fix-A-Lot · as Dr. Florence Mountfitchet (voice) |
| 2003 | The Sleeping Dictionary · as Aggie |
| 2002 | The Wild Thornberrys · as Mrs. Fairgood |
| 2002 | Undertaking Betty · as Betty Rhys-Jones |
| 2002 | |
| 2002 | Pumpkin · as Judy Romanoff |
| 2001 | Daddy and Them · as Julia Montgomery |
| 2001 | On the Nose · as Mrs. Delaney |
| 2001 | Lovely & Amazing · as Jane Marks |
| 2001 | Anne Frank: The Whole Story (TV Series) · as Auguste Rottgen-Van Pels |
| 2000 | Saving Grace · as Grace Trevethyn |
| 1999 | RKO 281 · as Louella Parsons |
| 1999 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) · as Linnie Malcolm |
| 1998 | Little Voice · as Mari Hoff |
| 1998 | Music from Another Room · as Grace Swan |
| 1998 | In the Winter Dark · as Ida Stubbs |
| 1998 | Night Train · as Alice Mooney |
| 1998 | Girls' Night · as Dawn Wilkinson |
| 1997 | Remember Me? · as Shirley |
| 1996 | Secrets & Lies · as Cynthia Rose Purley |
| 1994 | Outside Edge (TV Series) |
| 1993 | The Buddha of Suburbia (TV Series) · as Margaret Amir |
| 1992 | A River Runs Through It · as Mrs. Maclean |
| 1992 | Maigret (1992) (TV Series) |
| 1991 | All Good Things (1991) (TV Series) · as Shirley Frame |
| 1990 | The Witches · as Mrs Jenkins |
| 1989 | Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (TV Series) · as Ticki Tocquet |
| 1989 | The Labours Of Erica (TV Series) |
| 1988 | The Play on One (TV Series) · as Miss A |
| 1987 | Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story · as Ticki Tocquet |
| 1987 | Jim Henson's The Storyteller (TV Series) · as Storyteller's Wife |
| 1985 | Screen One (TV Series) · as Gwen |
| 1984 | Chance in a Million (TV Series) · as Alison Little |
| 1984 | Alas Smith and Jones (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1983 | Who Dares Wins ... (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1983 | Death of an Expert Witness (TV Series) · as Angela Foley |
| 1983 | The First Part of Henry the Sixth · as Joan La Pucelle |
| 1982 | King Lear · as Cordelia |
| 1980 | Grown-Ups · as Gloria |
| 1980 | Yes Minister (TV Series) |
| 1980 | Mystery! (TV Series) · as Angela Foley |
| 1979 | Tales of the Unexpected (TV Series) · as Carol Hutchins |
| 1978 | Rumpole of the Bailey (TV Series) · as Pauline |
| 1973 | Playhouse (TV Series) · as Gloria |
| 1970 | Play for Today (TV Series) · as Mary |
A Woman of Substance (2026) (TV Series) · as Emma Harle |
| 2025 | Vera, Farewell Pet · as Herself / Vera |
| 2014 | Good Morning Britain (TV Series) · as Self - Actress |
| 2010 | Paul O'Grady Live (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | Daybreak (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2007 | The Alan Titchmarsh Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2007 | Xposé (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | The Graham Norton Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | Up Close with Carrie Keagan (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2006 | The ONE Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2006 | Pride & Prejudice: On Set Diaries · as Self |
| 2006 | Pride & Prejudice: The Bennets · as Self |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | |
| 2005 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2004 | The Paul O'Grady Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2004 | The Best of 'So Graham Norton' · as Self |
| 2003 | Enough Rope with Andrew Denton (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2002 | V Graham Norton (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2001 | Richard & Judy (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2001 | Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2001 | Lorraine (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2001 | Saturday Kitchen (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2000 | BBC Breakfast (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2000 | Film-Fest DVD: Issue 4 - Hawaii · as Self |
| 1999 | Loose Women (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1999 | The 71st Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 1999 | 5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 1999 | The 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 1998 | So Graham Norton (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1998 | The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1998 | Inside the Golden Statue · as Self |
| 1997 | The 69th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 1997 | 3rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 1997 | 54th Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 1996 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1995 | The Frank Skinner Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | GMTV (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | HBO First Look (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1991 | Charlie Rose (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1988 | This Morning (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Arena (1975) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1972 | Pebble Mill at One (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1971 | Film (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1962 | The Late Late Show (IE) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1955 | This is Your Life (UK) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1953 | The Academy Awards (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1944 | Golden Globe Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Presenter |