Alison Steadman
Biography
Alison Steadman is an English actor born on August 26, 1946, in Liverpool, England, UK. She made her professional stage debut in 1968. Steadman established her career in Mike Leigh's 1970s TV plays, including Nuts in May and Abigail's Party. She received BAFTA TV Award nominations for The Singing Detective in 1986 and in 2001 for an unlisted title. Steadman won the 1991 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the Mike Leigh film Life is Sweet, and the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role as Mari in the original production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. She was ranked No. 42 in a 2007 Channel 4 poll of the "50 Greatest Actors" voted for by other actors.
Career overview
Alison Steadman is a British actress born on August 26, 1946, in Liverpool, England. She made her professional stage debut in 1968. Steadman's early career in television plays, particularly in the 1970s, helped establish her as a notable actress. Her work in Mike Leigh's productions, such as Nuts in May and Abigail's Party, contributed to her growing reputation.
Throughout her career, Steadman has received recognition for her performances. She was nominated for BAFTA TV Awards for her roles in The Singing Detective in 1986 and in a 2001 production. Additionally, Steadman won the 1991 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for her role in the Mike Leigh film Life is Sweet. She also received the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Mari in the original production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
Steadman's career spans multiple decades, with a significant number of known credits. As of the available information, she has been involved in 156 acting projects. Her work has been recognized by her peers, as evidenced by her ranking as the 42nd greatest actor in a 2007 Channel 4 poll.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
162 titles- Joke (2026) as Vet
- Stitch Head (2025) as Nan (voice)
- Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell (2025) as Self
- Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza (2025) as Sue Jessop
- Better Man (2024) as Betty
- Gavin & Stacey: The Making of the Finale (2024) as Self
- Wake (2023) as Grace
- Alison & Larry: Billericay To Barry (2023) as Alison Steadman
- Here We Go: Mum's Classic Family Christmas (2023) as Sue Jessop
- The 1970s Dinner Party (2023) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Remembers… (2022)
- Remembers… (2022) as Self
- Here We Go (2022) as Sue Jessop
- Rules of the Game (2022) as Anita Jenkins
- Queen and Country (2022) as Narrator (voice)
- The King's Man (2021) as Rita
- Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig (2021) as Self
- We Love Gavin and Stacey (2020)
- Life (2020) as Gail Reynolds
- 23 Walks (2020) as Fern
- Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse (2020) as Dora
- DNA Journey (2019)
- Gavin & Stacey: A Special Christmas (2019) as Pam Shipman
- Off Grid (2019) as Grace Tanner
- Butterfly (2018) as Barbara
- Hold the Sunset (2018) as Edith
- Care (2018) as Mary
- Yours Faithfully, Edna Welthorpe (Mrs) (2017)
- We Can Be Heroes (2017) as Granny Evans
- Becky Watts Killed for Kicks (2017) as Narrator
- Dad's Army (2016) as Mrs. Fox
- Burn Burn Burn (2016) as Diana
- Let's Do It: A Tribute to Victoria Wood (2016) as Self
- Peterman (2015) as Auntie Jean
- Inside No. 9 (2014) as Anne
- Boomers (2014) as Joyce
- The Great War: The People's Story (2014) as Hallie Eustace Miles
- Gareth's All Star Choir (2014) as Self - Choir Member
- The One and Only Mike Leigh (2014) as Self
- Orphan Black (2013) as Kendall Malone
- Yonderland (2013) as Barbara
- Love and Marriage (2013) as Pauline Paradise
- Playhouse Presents (2012) as Tina
- The Syndicate (2012) as Rose Wilson
- Gadget Man (2012)
- The Great Sport Relief Bake Off (2012) as Self - Contestant
- A Civil Arrangement (2012) as Isobel
- Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (2011) as Self - Participant
- Comedy Blaps (2011)
- French Exchange (2011) as Mrs. Phillips
- All Roads Lead Home (2011) as Herself
- Little Crackers (2010) as Alison's Mother
- Fry and Laurie Reunited (2010) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Come Rain Come Shine (2010) as Dora Mitchell
- Caravans: A British Love Affair (2009) as Narrator
- Lewis (2007) as Rev. Martha Seager
- Gavin & Stacey (2007) as Pam Shipman
- Fanny Hill (2007) as Mrs. Brown
- The Dinner Party (2007) as Juliet
- The 50 Greatest Television Dramas (2007) as Self
- Fanny Hill (2007) as Mrs. Brown
- Who Gets the Dog (2007) as Jenny Evans
- The Man from Montevideo (2007) as Karen Horner
- All About 'Abigail's Party' (2007) as Self
- The One Show (2006) as Self
- Great British Menu (2006) as Self - Guest Judge
- Confetti (2006) as Sam's Mum
- Loony in the Woods (2006) as Crazy Butcher
- Twisted Tales (2005) as Margery Faversham
- The Worst Week of My Life (2004) as Angela Cook
- The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004) as Casting Agent
- Bosom Pals (2004)
- Chunky Monkey (2003) as Beryl
- Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale (2002) as Mrs. Meisling
- D.I.Y. Hard (2002) as Woman
- Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years (2001) as Pauline Mole
- Ivor the Invisible (2001) as Auntie Barbara (voice)
- Bob the Builder: A Christmas to Remember - The Movie (2001) as Mayoress Bunty Ferguson (voice)
- Happy Now (2001) as Bronwyn Race
- Fat Friends (2000) as Betty Simpson
- Lenny Henry in Pieces (2000)
- Let Them Eat Cake (1999)
- Topsy-Turvy (1999) as Madame Leon
- Santa's Last Christmas (1999) as Mrs Whatnot (voice)
- Jack and the Beanstalk (1999) as Mother / Veronica
- Stressed Eric (1998)
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Abigail Tonev
- The Ugly Duckling (1997) as The Hen (voice)
- The Missing Postman (1997) as Christine Peacock
- The Missing Postman (1997) as Christine Peacock
- Secrets & Lies (1996) as Woman with Dog
- Karaoke (1996) as Mrs Haynes
- No Bananas (1996) as Evelyn Hamilton
- The Snow Queen's Revenge (1996) as Pearl
- Pride and Prejudice (1995) as Mrs. Bennet
- Kavanagh Q.C. (1995) as Evelyn Marie Kendall
- Crapston Villas (1995)
- Gotta Get Out (1995) as Maggie
- The Wimbledon Poisoner (1994) as Elinor Farr
- Degas and Pissario Fall Out (1994) as Emma Dumay
- Do You Remember the First Time? (1994)
- GMTV (1993) as Self
- Selling Hitler (1993) as Edda Goering
- Gone to Seed (1992) as Hilda Plant
- Blame It on the Bellboy (1992) as Rosemary Horton
- Life Is Sweet (1991) as Wendy
- Gone to the Dogs (1991) as Lauren Patterson
- Selling Hitler (1991) as Edda Goering
- News Hounds (1990) as Jackie Johns
- Screen One (1989) as Jackie Johns
- The Jim Henson Hour (1989) as Perriwinkle
- Shirley Valentine (1989) as Jane
- 7 Deadly Sins: Stage Acting (1989) as Janista Maine
- 7 Deadly Sins: Stage Acting (1989) Writer
- Monster Maker (1989) as Perriwinkle
- Wilt (1989) as Eva
- Virtuoso (1989) as Brenda
- A Small Mourning (1989) as Marjorie
- Countryfile (1988) as Self
- The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) as Daisy
- Stormy Monday (1988) as Mayor
- The Short & Curlies (1987) as Betty
- ScreenPlay (1986) as Marjorie
- The Singing Detective (1986) as Mrs Marlow
- The Singing Detective (1986) as Mrs Marlow / Lili
- Clockwise (1986) as Gwenda Stimpson
- Screen Two (1985) as Brenda Ogdon
- Number One (1985) as Doreen
- Coming Through (1985) as Kate
- The Caucasian Chalk Circle (1985) as Kato/Natella/Aniko
- A Private Function (1984) as Mrs. Allardyce
- Champions (1984) as Mary Hussey
- Tartuffe, or The Imposter (1983) as Elmire
- P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang (1982) as Miss Land
- Mike Leigh: Making Plays (1982) as Self
- The Muscle Market (1981) as Susan
- Pasmore (1980) as Kay Pasmore
- Two Days That Shook the Branch (1978) as Norma Hardy
- Abigail's Party (1977) as Beverley
- Our Flesh and Blood (1977) as Jan Blincoe
- Red Letter Day (1976) as Margaret Hudson
- Nuts in May (1976) as Candice Marie
- Bag of Yeast (1976) as Margaret Hudson
- The Wackers (1975) as Bernadette Clarkson
- Oil Strike North (1975)
- Early to Bed (1975) as Helen
- Through the Night (1975) as Christine Potts
- Girl (1974) as Jackie
- Taking Leave (1974) as Nonie
- Second City Firsts (1973) as Jackie
- Second City Firsts (1973) as Helen
- Hard Labour (1973) as Veronica Thornley
- Crown Court (1972)
- Bel Ami (1971) as Fencer (as Allison Steadman)
- Play for Today (1970) as Nonie
- Play for Today (1970) as Veronica
- Play for Today (1970) as Jan Blincoe
- Play for Today (1970) as Kay Pasmore
- Play for Today (1970) as Susan
- ITV Playhouse (1967) as Norma Hardy
- The BAFTA Awards (1949) as Self
- King of the Teds as Tina
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Alison Steadman best known for?
Alison Steadman is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Better Man (2024), Remembers… (2022), Remembers… (2022), The King's Man (2021).
When and where was Alison Steadman born?
Alison Steadman was born on August 26, 1946 in Liverpool, England, UK.
How many credits does Alison Steadman have?
Alison Steadman has accumulated over 162 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1949 to 2026.
What is Alison Steadman's background in cinema and television?
Alison Steadman is an English actor born on August 26, 1946, in Liverpool, England, UK. She made her professional stage debut in 1968. Steadman established her career in Mike Leigh's 1970s TV plays, including Nuts in May and Abigail's Party. She received BAFTA TV Award nominations for The Singing Detective in 1986 and ...