Cranford Cast List
- Upstairs, Downstairs, MirandaAdrian Philip Scarborough (born 10 May 1968) is an English actor, most widely known for film roles including The Madness of King George (1994), Gosford Park (2001), Vera Drake (2004), The History Boys (2006), The Kings Speech (2010), and Les Misérables (2012). He is also known for his roles in television such as Cranford (2007-2009), Upstairs Downstairs (2010-2012), The Paradise (2013), Crashing (2016), A Very English Scandal (2018), and Killing Eve (2019). He is also an accomplished theatre actor and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 2011 for his role in the Terence Rattigan play After the Dance.
- Cranford, The Cranford ChroniclesAlexander Nathan Etel (born 19 September 1994) is an English actor most widely known for his lead role in the 2007 film The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep.
Alex Jennings
Whitechapel, Cranford, The State WithinAlex Jennings (born 10 May 1957) is an English actor, who has worked extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre. A three-time Olivier Award winner, he won for Too Clever by Half (1988), Peer Gynt (1996), and My Fair Lady (2003). He is the only performer to have won Olivier awards in the drama, musical and comedy categories. He played Prince Charles in the 2006 film The Queen. His other film appearances include The Wings of the Dove (1997), Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Babel (2006) and The Lady in the Van (2015). He also played Edward VIII, the Duke of Windsor, in the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Crown.- The Forsyte Saga, EmmaAlistair Petrie is an English actor. He has starred in The Bank Job (2010), Cloud Atlas (2012), Rush (2013) and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Petrie has also starred in the Channel 4 television series Utopia, the BBC One television series' The Night Manager, Sherlock, and Undercover and as Mr. Groff in the Netflix original comedy-drama series Sex Education.
- Cracker, Open All Hours, The Vanishing ManBarbara Flynn (born Barbara Joy McMurray; 5 August 1948) is an English actress. She first came to prominence playing Freda Ashton in the ITV drama series A Family at War (1970–72). She went on to play the milk woman in the BBC comedy Open All Hours (1981–85), Jill Swinburne in The Beiderbecke Trilogy (1985–88), Dr. Rose Marie in the BBC series A Very Peculiar Practice (1986–88), Judith Fitzgerald in the ITV drama Cracker (1993–95), and Mrs. Jamieson in Cranford (2007–09). In her own words, she tends to play "feisty, strong women".
- Shameless, The Worst Week of My Life, CranfordDean Lennox Kelly (born 30 November 1975) is an English actor. He is best known for playing Kev Ball in the comedy-drama television series Shameless.
- Upstairs, Downstairs, Doc MartinDame Eileen June Atkins, (born 16 June 1934) is an English actress and occasional screenwriter. She has worked in the theatre, film, and television consistently since 1953. In 2008, she won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress and the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for Cranford. She is also a three-time Olivier Award winner, winning Best Supporting Performance in 1988 (for Multiple roles) and Best Actress for The Unexpected Man (1999) and Honour (2004). She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1990 and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2001. Atkins joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1957 and made her Broadway debut in the 1966 production of The Killing of Sister George, for which she received the first of four Tony Award nominations for Best Actress in a Play in 1967. She received subsequent nominations for, Vivat! Vivat Regina! (1972), Indiscretions (1995) and The Retreat from Moscow (2004). Other stage credits include The Tempest (Old Vic 1962), Exit the King (Edinburgh Festival and Royal Court 1963), The Promise (New York 1967), The Night of the Tribades (New York 1977), Medea (Young Vic 1985), A Delicate Balance (Haymarket, West End 1997) and Doubt (New York 2006). Atkins co-created the television dramas Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–75) and The House of Elliot (1991–93) with Jean Marsh. She also wrote the screenplay for the 1997 film Mrs Dalloway. Her film appearances include Equus (1977), The Dresser (1983), Let Him Have It (1991), Wolf (1994), Jack and Sarah (1995), Gosford Park (2001), Evening (2005), Last Chance Harvey (2008), Robin Hood (2010) and Magic in the Moonlight (2014).
- Cranford, Kidnap and Ransom, Other People's ChildrenEmma Georgina Annalies Fielding (born 10 July 1966 in Catterick, North Riding of Yorkshire) is an English actress.
Angelina Ballerina, CranfordTara Cressida Frances "Finty" Williams (born 24 September 1972) is an English actress. Born in London, Williams trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama there, graduating in 1994. She has appeared in a number of British films, nearly always alongside her mother Judi Dench. Her picture appears in the opening credits of As Time Goes By (1992). She had a recurring role in the TV series Born and Bred and voices the titular character in the animated children's series Angelina Ballerina. She has also worked in the theatre in plays such as Party Piece with Richard Harris, and in audiobook narration, such as Sophie Kinsella's I've Got Your Number and Terry Mancour's Spellmonger Cadet Series Hawkmaiden Vol 1-2- Cranford, Wives and Daughters, DeceitFrancesca Annis (born 14 May 1945) is an English actress. She is known for television roles in Reckless (1998), Wives and Daughters (1999), Deceit (2000) and Cranford (2007). A six-time BAFTA TV Award nominee, she won the 1979 BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for the ITV serial Lillie. Her film appearances include Krull (1983), Dune (1984), The Debt Collector (1999) and The Libertine (2004).
- Cranford, The Riff Raff Element, The Cranford ChroniclesMatthew Gregory Wise (born 15 May 1966) is an English actor and producer. He has appeared in many British television works, as well as several feature films (notably the role of John Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility).
- BBC Drama Fingersmith, Fingersmith, CranfordImelda Staunton, a British actress of unparalleled versatility and high acclaim, has had a career in show business that spans several decades. Born on January 9, 1956, in London, England, she attended the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, from which her talent shone through early on when she was cast in the National Theatre's production of The Beggar's Opera - a clear indication of the illustrious career that awaited her. Staunton's performances across stage, film, and television have distinguished her as one of the most respected actors in the industry. Her extraordinary range has seen her portray a vast array of characters - from the hilariously comical Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter series, to her profoundly moving portrayal of Vera Drake in Mike Leigh's film for which she received an Academy Award nomination. Her work is further punctuated with multiple BAFTA, Olivier, and Emmy nominations and wins, solidifying her place as a powerhouse performer. In addition to her significant contributions to the performing arts, Staunton is also known for her philanthropic endeavors. She has been particularly instrumental in supporting causes related to children's welfare and education. Her remarkable combination of talent, dedication, and compassionate spirit has not only made Imelda Staunton a household name but also a beloved figure in the entertainment industry and beyond.
- The Hour, Prime Suspect, CranfordJohn Bowe (born 1 February 1950) is a British actor best known for his roles in Emmerdale as Lawrence White and Coronation Street as Duggie Ferguson.
- Cranford, Sex, Chips & Rock n' RollJoseph McFadden (born 9 October 1975) is a Scottish actor best known for his roles in The Crow Road, Sex, Chips & Rock n' Roll, Heartbeat and Holby City. He also does voice over work for Bauer Media on their Scottish radio stations. McFadden won the 2017 series of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing with dance partner Katya Jones.
- As Time Goes By, Angelina Ballerina, CranfordDame Judi Dench, an actress of unrivaled talent and versatility, has spent over six decades gracing stages and screens with her magnetic performances. Born Judith Olivia Dench on December 9, 1934, in York, England, she developed a passion for drama at a young age, eventually studying at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Her professional acting debut came in 1957 with the Old Vic Company, where she wowed audiences with her portrayal of Ophelia in Hamlet. This marked the beginning of a remarkable career in theatre that would see her acclaimed performances in both classical and contemporary productions. In the realm of film, Dench's talent is equally as profound. She made her movie debut in 1964 with The Third Secret, but it was her role as Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown (1997) that catapulted her to international fame. The role earned her an Academy Award nomination, solidifying her standing as a formidable force in cinema. However, it was her recurring role as M, the head of MI6, in the James Bond series that made her a household name. Dench's portrayal of this iconic character spanned seven films, from GoldenEye (1995) to Skyfall (2012), and left an indelible mark on the franchise. Off-screen, Dench's life is just as noteworthy. She married actor Michael Williams in 1971, with whom she shared one daughter. Tragically, Williams passed away in 2001. Despite personal loss, Dench continued to thrive professionally, using her platform to raise awareness for various causes, including age-related macular degeneration, a condition she herself struggles with. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the performing arts, Dench was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1988. A testament to her talent, resilience, and dedication, Dame Judi Dench remains one of the most respected figures in the world of entertainment.
- Cranford, Agatha Christie's Marple, Fresh FieldsJulia Kathleen Nancy McKenzie, (born 17 February 1941) is an English actress, singer, presenter, and theatre director widely regarded as one of the finest and most distinguished artists of the past fifty years. Also notable as one of the few British performers to merit the title of "Triple Threat", she has premièred leading roles written by both Sir Alan Ayckbourn and Stephen Sondheim. On television, she is known for her BAFTA Award nominated role as Hester Fields in the sitcom Fresh Fields (1984–86) and its sequel French Fields (1989–91), and as Miss Marple in Agatha Christie's Marple (2008–13). McKenzie has also starred in numerous musicals, receiving a 1977 Tony Award nomination for her work in the Broadway revue, Side by Side by Sondheim. A six-time Olivier Award nominee, she has twice won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical; for the 1982 revival of Guys and Dolls and the 1993 revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. She also starred in the original London productions of the Sondheim musicals Follies (1987) and Into the Woods (1990).
- Absolutely Fabulous, Pride and Prejudice, Jonathan CreekJulia Sawalha (born 9 September 1968) is an English actress known mainly for her role as Saffron Monsoon in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. She is also known for portraying Lynda Day, editor of the Junior Gazette, in Press Gang and Lydia Bennet in the 1995 television miniseries of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Additionally, she played Dorcas Lane in the BBC's costume drama Lark Rise to Candleford, Carla Borrego in Jonathan Creek, and Jan Ward in the 2014 BBC One mystery Remember Me.
- Cranford, North and South, North & SouthLesley Ann Manville (born 12 March 1956) is an English actress, known for her frequent collaborations with director Mike Leigh, winning the London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actress of the Year for Leigh's All or Nothing (2002) and Another Year (2010), and the National Board of Review Award for Best Actress for the latter film. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Phantom Thread (2017). Other film roles include Maleficent (2014). Manville's extensive stage career includes roles in As You Like It (1985), Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1986), His Dark Materials (2005), The Alchemist (2006), All About My Mother (2007) and Six Degrees of Separation (2010). Nominated for an Olivier Award for her role in Leigh's 2011 play Grief, she won the 2014 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role in the 2013 revival of Ghosts. She is also a four-time BAFTA Award nominee, including for her role in the sitcom Mum (2016–2019).
- CranfordLisa Dillon (née Stawiarski; born 1979) is an English actress.
- Life on Mars, Ashes to Ashes, CranfordPhilip Haywood Glenister (born 10 February 1963) is an English actor, best known for his role as DCI Gene Hunt on the BBC series Life on Mars and its sequel Ashes to Ashes, Reverend Anderson in Outcast, and Mal Pemberton in Living the Dream.
- Rome, Cranford, The Cranford ChroniclesSimon Woods (born 1980) is an English actor best known for his role as Octavian in Season 2 of the British-American television series Rome and the 2005 Pride & Prejudice as Charles Bingley. He also starred as Dr Harrison in the BBC1 costume drama series Cranford.
- Broadchurch, Cranford, The FixerAndrew Buchan (born 19 February 1979) is an English stage and television actor known for his roles as Mark Latimer in the ITV drama Broadchurch (2013–17), as Scott Foster in the BBC political drama Party Animals (2007), as John Mercer in ITV drama series The Fixer (2008–09), and as William Garrow in BBC period drama Garrow's Law (2009–11).
- Wallander, Suburban Shootout, Victoria Cross HeroesTom Hiddleston, a name synonymous with versatility and charisma in the acting world, was born on February 9, 1981, in Westminster, London. A product of the Dragon School and Eton College, Hiddleston's passion for the performing arts led him to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where he honed his craft and graduated in 2005. His early career saw him working extensively in theatre, most notably in productions such as Othello and Ivanov, earning him a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Newcomer. Hiddleston's breakthrough came when he was cast in the role of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making his first appearance in the 2011 film Thor. His portrayal of the complex anti-hero character was met with critical acclaim, leading to reprises in multiple sequels and spin-offs, including an eponymous television series. This role not only established his global reputation but also showcased his exceptional range, allowing him to transition seamlessly between high drama and comic relief. Beyond the MCU, Hiddleston's filmography is diverse, featuring period dramas like War Horse and Midnight in Paris, indie films like Only Lovers Left Alive, and biopics like I Saw the Light, where he played country music legend Hank Williams. In addition to his screen work, Hiddleston has made significant contributions to television, earning a Golden Globe for his leading role in The Night Manager. A multi-talented performer, Tom Hiddleston continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his dynamic portrayals and commitment to his craft.
- Cranford, Benidorm, The Smoking RoomSelina Jane Griffiths (born 1969) is an English actress mostly known for her performance of Pauline Maltby in Benidorm.
- Fresh Meat, Cranford, The Cranford ChroniclesKimberley Nixon (born 24 September 1985) is a Welsh actor. Nixon is known for her role as Sophy Hutton in the BBC One period drama Cranford and various films such as Wild Child and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. More recently she has starred as Josie Jones in the Channel 4 comedy-drama Fresh Meat and as Sarah Pearson in the BBC Two comedy Hebburn.
