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Brenda Blethyn

Acting Born Feb 20, 1946 Ramsgate, Kent, England, UK 105 credits

Biography

Brenda Blethyn is an English actress. Born in Ramsgate, Kent, she pursued an administrative career before enrolling in the Guildford School of Acting. Blethyn has worked in theatre, television, and film. She has received multiple award nominations and wins, including an Academy Award nomination, a BAFTA, an Empire Award, and a Golden Lion. Blethyn has earned a Theater World Award and a Critics' Circle Theatre Award nomination for her theatrical work. She has been nominated for Emmy and Golden Globe Awards, and has won a Golden Globe Award. Blethyn has a known credit count of 103 and is 80 years old, born on February 20, 1946.

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Career

Career overview

Brenda Blethyn is a British actress who has worked in various mediums including theatre, television, and film. She has received multiple award nominations and wins for her performances.

Blethyn's career in acting began after she enrolled in the Guildford School of Acting following a significant life change. She has since accumulated a large number of credits in the acting field.

Blethyn's known credits total 103, indicating a diverse and extensive body of work. Her career has spanned multiple decades, with her birthdate listed as February 20, 1946.

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Known for

A Woman of Substance

as Older Emma Harle

Vera

as DCI Vera Stanhope

Revenge

as Elisabeth

Amici di Maria De Filippi

as Mother

The Graham Norton Show

as Self
Film

Atonement

as Grace Turner

The One Show

as Self - Guest

The New Adventures of Old Christine

as Angela Kimble
Film

Pride & Prejudice

as Mrs. Bennet
Film

Pooh's Heffalump Movie

as Mama Heffalump (voice)
Film

The Sleeping Dictionary

as Aggie

V Graham Norton

as Self

Frequent co-stars

Keira Knightley 2 shared titles
Peter Wight 2 shared titles
Roy Holder 2 shared titles
Jane Horrocks 2 shared titles
Roy Marsden 2 shared titles
John Vine 2 shared titles
Barry Foster 2 shared titles
Ray Brooks 2 shared titles
Ivor Roberts 2 shared titles
Andrew Ray 2 shared titles

Career timeline

A Woman of Substance
DragonflyVera, Farewell Pet
Charlotte
Kate & Koji
Raymond Briggs: Snowmen, Bogeymen and Milkmen
Ethel & Ernest
Two Men in Town
Mary and Martha
Playhouse Presents
VeraMy AngelThe Many Faces of... Michael Caine
My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Duper Super SleuthsThe Calling
Tigger & Pooh and a Musical TooLondon RiverDead Man Running
The Graham Norton ShowAtonementWar and PeaceClublandClubland · Writer
The One ShowThe New Adventures of Old ChristineMysterious Creatures
Pride & PrejudicePooh's Heffalump MovieOn a Clear Day
Beyond the SeaPiccadilly JimA Way of LifeBelonging
The Sleeping DictionaryBetween The SheetsBlizzardBob the Builder: The Knights of Can-A-Lot
V Graham NortonThe Wild Thornberrys MovieLovely & AmazingUndertaking BettyThe Yellow Bird
On the NoseAnne Frank: The Whole StoryDaddy and Them
Saving Grace
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitRKO 281
So Graham NortonMusic from Another RoomInside the Golden StatueGirls' NightLittle Voice
Remember Me?
Secrets & Lies
The Frank Skinner Show
Outside Edge
GMTVThe Buddha of SuburbiaThe Bullion Boys
HBO First LookMaigretA River Runs Through It
All Good Things
The Witches

Full filmography

  • A Woman of Substance (2026) as Older Emma Harle
  • Dragonfly (2025) as Elsie
  • Vera, Farewell Pet (2025) as Herself / Vera
  • Charlotte (2022) as Grossmama (voice)
  • Kate & Koji (2020) as Kate Abbott
  • Raymond Briggs: Snowmen, Bogeymen and Milkmen (2018) as Narrator
  • Ethel & Ernest (2016) as Ethel Briggs (voice)
  • Two Men in Town (2014) as Emily Smith
  • Mary and Martha (2013) as Martha
  • Playhouse Presents (2012) as Nina
  • Vera (2011) as DCI Vera Stanhope
  • My Angel (2011) as Headmistress
  • The Many Faces of... Michael Caine (2011)
  • My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Duper Super Sleuths (2010) as Mama Heffalump (voice)
  • The Calling (2010) as Sister Ignatious
  • Tigger & Pooh and a Musical Too (2009) as Mama Heffalump (voice)
  • London River (2009) as Elisabeth
  • Dead Man Running (2009) as Mother
  • The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
  • Atonement (2007) as Grace Turner
  • War and Peace (2007) as Márja Dmitrijewna Achrosímowa
  • Clubland (2007) as Jean
  • Clubland (2007) Writer
  • The One Show (2006) as Self - Guest
  • The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006) as Angela Kimble
  • Mysterious Creatures (2006) as Wendy Ainscow
  • Pride & Prejudice (2005) as Mrs. Bennet
  • Pooh's Heffalump Movie (2005) as Mama Heffalump (voice)
  • On a Clear Day (2005) as Joan
  • Beyond the Sea (2004) as Polly Cassotto
  • Piccadilly Jim (2004) as Nesta Pett
  • A Way of Life (2004) as Annette
  • Belonging (2004) as Jess Copplestone
  • The Sleeping Dictionary (2003) as Aggie
  • Between The Sheets (2003) as Hazel Delany
  • Blizzard (2003) as Aunt Millie
  • Bob the Builder: The Knights of Can-A-Lot (2003) as Dr. Florence Mountfitchet (voice)
  • V Graham Norton (2002) as Self
  • The Wild Thornberrys Movie (2002) as Mrs. Fairgood (voice)
  • Lovely & Amazing (2002) as Jane Marks
  • Undertaking Betty (2002) as Betty Rhys-Jones
  • The Yellow Bird (2002) as Mrs. Louise Tutwiler
  • Sonny (2002) as Jewel
  • Pumpkin (2002) as Judy Romanoff
  • On the Nose (2001) as Mrs. Delaney
  • Anne Frank: The Whole Story (2001) as Auguste Rottgen-van Pels
  • Daddy and Them (2001) as Julia Montgomery
  • Saving Grace (2000) as Grace Trevethyn
  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Linnie Malcolm
  • RKO 281 (1999) as Louella Parsons
  • So Graham Norton (1998) as Self - Guest
  • Music from Another Room (1998) as Grace Swan
  • Inside the Golden Statue (1998) as Self
  • Girls' Night (1998) as Dawn Wilkinson
  • Little Voice (1998) as Mari Hoff
  • In the Winter Dark (1998) as Ida Stubbs
  • Night Train (1998) as Alice Mooney
  • Remember Me? (1997) as Shirley
  • Secrets & Lies (1996) as Cynthia Rose Purley
  • The Frank Skinner Show (1995) as Self
  • Outside Edge (1994) as Miriam Dervish
  • GMTV (1993) as Self
  • The Buddha of Suburbia (1993) as Margaret Amir
  • The Bullion Boys (1993) as Gwen
  • HBO First Look (1992) as self
  • Maigret (1992)
  • A River Runs Through It (1992) as Mrs. Maclean
  • All Good Things (1991) as Shirley Frame
  • The Witches (1990) as Mrs Jenkins
  • Screen One (1989) as Gwen
  • Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (1989) as Ticki Tocquet
  • The Labours of Erica (1989)
  • The Shawl (1989) as Miss A
  • The Storyteller (1988) as Storyteller's Wife
  • The Play on One (1988) as Miss A
  • This Morning (1988) as Self
  • The Storyteller: A Story Short (1988) as The Storyteller's Wife
  • Claws (1987) as Sylvia
  • Sunday Premiere (1986) as Sylvia
  • The Mysteries (1985) as Mary Magdalene / Mary
  • Weekend Playhouse (1984) as Jean Saunders
  • Chance in a Million (1984) as Alison Little
  • Who Dares Wins (1984) as Various
  • Dalgliesh (1983) as Angela Foley
  • Death of an Expert Witness (1983) as Angela Foley
  • Henry VI Part 1 (1983) as Joan La Pucelle
  • Floating Off (1983) as Janice
  • King Lear (1982) as Cordelia
  • Mike Leigh: Making Plays (1982) as Self
  • Say No to Strangers (1981) as Policewoman
  • Yes Minister (1980)
  • Bedroom Farce (1980) as Kate
  • Sheppey (1980) as Miss Grange
  • The Imitation Game (1980)
  • Grown-Ups (1980) as Gloria
  • Tales of the Unexpected (1979) as Carol Hutchins
  • Rumpole of the Bailey (1975) as Pauline
  • Playhouse (1974) as Gloria
  • The Oscars (1953) as Self
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Winner
  • King of the Teds as Nina
  • Strawberry Fields Forever as Grannie Nellie
  • Fools