Phyllida Law
Biography
Phyllida Ann Law was a Scottish television, film, and stage actress. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 8, 1932, or July 6, 1932, depending on the source, she trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Throughout her career, she accumulated numerous known credits in acting across television and film. Her television credits included appearances in series such as Dixon of Dock Green, Rumpole of the Bailey, and A Bit of Fry and Laurie. She was also known as the mother of Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson. Law passed away on July 27, 2026, at the age of 94.
Career overview
Phyllida Ann Law was a Scottish television, film, and stage actress born in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom. Her training took place at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Over the course of her career, she accumulated numerous known acting credits across television and film productions, establishing a professional presence in the entertainment industry.
Her television and screen work included appearances in various established television series and programs. Among the television shows in which she performed are Dixon of Dock Green, Rumpole of the Bailey, A Bit of Fry and Laurie, and Doktor Martin. Her extensive involvement in the medium contributed to a recognized career in television and film acting.
Law passed away on July 27, 2026, at the age of 94. She was also known as the mother of Emma Thompson and Sophie Thompson.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
103 titles- Then Came You (2020) as Arlene
- Bakery in Brooklyn (2016) as Baker on the iPad #1
- A Little Chaos (2015) as Suzanne
- Three Days in Havana (2014) as The Broker
- Rosamunde Pilcher: The Other Wife (2012) as Lady Anne Meriot
- Albert Nobbs (2011) as Mrs. Cavendish
- Ways to Live Forever (2010) as Grandmother
- Love at First Sight (2010) as Ruth
- Under the Hammer (2010)
- Lecture 21 (2008) as Boheme
- Miss Austen Regrets (2008) as Mrs. Austen
- The Alan Titchmarsh Show (2007) as Self
- The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007) as Bea Nelson-Stanley
- Kingdom (2007) as Aunt Auriel
- The Waiting Room (2007) as Helen
- Miss Potter (2006) as Mrs. Warne
- Copying Beethoven (2006) as Mother Canisius
- Day of Wrath (2006) as Esperanza de Mendoza
- Pinochet in Suburbia (2006) as Lucia Pinochet
- Mia Sarah (2006) as Sarah
- A Little Trip to Heaven (2005) as Head Mistress
- Nanny McPhee (2005) as Mrs. Partridge (voice)
- Afterlife (2005)
- Unleashed (2005) as Distinguished Lady
- Mee-Shee: The Water Giant (2005) as Mrs. Coogan
- Tooth (2004) as Mrs. Claus
- Blinded (2004) as Bella Black
- Brush with Fate (2003) as Maria
- The Royal (2003) as Daisy Crannagh
- Foyle's War (2002) as Lady Muriel Sackville
- Timeshift (2002) as self
- The Time Machine (2002) as Mrs. Watchett
- Two Men Went To War (2002) as Faith
- Stig of the Dump (2002) as Marjorie
- The Swap (2002) as Rose Trenchard
- Waking the Dead (2001) as Mrs. Carstairs
- Monarch of the Glen (2000) as Isobel Hogg
- Saving Grace (2000) as Margaret Sutton
- The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: The Perils of Cupid (2000) as Signore Reale
- How Proust Can Change Your Life (2000) as Virginia Woolf
- The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns (1999) as Lady Margaret
- The Lost Lover (1999) as The Grandmother
- Mad Cows (1999) as Lady Drake (Alex's Mother)
- Milk (1999) as Veronica
- I Want You (1998) as Woman at Hairdresser #1
- Judas Kiss (1998) as Shouting Woman (uncredited)
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Felicity Dinsdale
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Mary Bingham
- Anna Karenina (1997) as Vronskaya
- The Winter Guest (1997) as Elspeth
- Emma (1996) as Mrs. Bates
- Hamish Macbeth (1995) as Vicky Jeffreys
- Degrees of Error (1995) as Margot
- Ready, Steady, Cook (1994) as Self - Guest
- Before the Rain (1994) as Anne's Mother
- The Blue Boy (1994) as Marie's Mother
- Much Ado About Nothing (1993) as Ursula
- All or Nothing at All (1993) as Mrs. Timpson
- Heartbeat (1992) as Nancy Bellow
- Peter's Friends (1992) as Vera
- The House of Eliott (1991) as Edith Duglass
- Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989) as Mrs Llewellyn-Smythe
- Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989) as Lady Carrington
- A Bit of Fry & Laurie (1989)
- About Face (1989)
- Tree of Hands (1989) as Julia
- Colleagues From Hell (1989)
- That's Love (1988)
- Clarence (1988) as Mrs. Vaile
- Ffizz (1987) as Lady Boughton
- Hell's Bells (1986) as Edith Makepeace
- Screen Two (1985) as Marie's Mother
- The Life and Death of King John (1984) as Lady Faulconbridge
- Taggart (1983)
- The Barchester Chronicles (1982) as Mrs Stanhope
- Fame Is the Spur (1982) as Aunt Lizzie
- A Question of Guilt (1980) as Mrs Blandy
- Minder (1979) as Magistrate
- Tales of the Unexpected (1979) as Maggie Patton
- Come Back, Lucy (1978) as Aunt Gwen
- BBC2 Play of the Week (1977) as Phyllis
- When the Boat Comes In (1976)
- Abide with Me (1976) as Joan Drummond
- Buffet (1976) as Joan
- Rumpole of the Bailey (1975) as Honoria Bird
- Rumpole of the Bailey (1975) as Mrs. Thripp
- Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973) as Fraulein Manzialy
- A Picture of Katherine Mansfield (1973) as Mother
- Upstairs, Downstairs (1971) as Lady Constance Weir
- The Bristol Entertainment (1971) as Bridget
- Evelyn (1971) as The Wife
- Play for Today (1970) as The Wife
- Play for Today (1970) as Joan
- Menace (1970) as Mrs. Tetley
- The Main Chance (1969) as Alison Murray
- ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969) as Jeanette Hornby
- Otley (1969) as Jean
- The Jazz Age (1968) as Miss Cummins
- City '68 (1967) as Diana Stevenson
- Drama 61-67 (1961) as Ann Shelley
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Greta
- Dixon of Dock Green (1955) as Rosie McCallion
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Maria
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Phyllida Law best known for?
Phyllida Law is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including A Little Chaos (2015), Albert Nobbs (2011), Ghost in the Shell 2.0 (2008), Mean Streets (1973).
When and where was Phyllida Law born?
Phyllida Law was born on May 8, 1932 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
How many credits does Phyllida Law have?
Phyllida Law has accumulated over 103 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2020.
What is Phyllida Law's background in cinema and television?
Phyllida Ann Law was a Scottish television, film, and stage actress. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 8, 1932, or July 6, 1932, depending on the source, she trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Throughout her career, she accumulated numerous known credits in acting across television and film. Her television ...
Phyllida Law by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Maria — aged about 19
- The Main Chance (1969) as Alison Murray — aged about 37
- Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989) as Mrs Llewellyn-Smythe — aged about 57
- Agatha Christie's Poirot (1989) as Lady Carrington — aged about 57
- Foyle's War (2002) as Lady Muriel Sackville — aged about 70
- A Bit of Fry & Laurie (1989) — aged about 57
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