Liz Smith (actress)

Liz Smith, whose warm, expressive face became synonymous with beloved British characters, crafted a remarkable acting career later in life, captivating audiences for decades. From long-suffering matriarchs to quirky elders, she possessed a rare ability to embody the heart and humor of the everyday person. Discover the extraordinary journey of an actress who found her true calling at an age when many contemplate retirement. Liz Smith's acting career truly began at the age of 49, after years of struggling and raising her children as a single mother. She became a celebrated figure in British television, renowned for her roles in iconic sitcoms like 'The Vicar of Dibley' and 'The Royle Family'. Despite a challenging early life, Smith's resilience and talent led to a BAFTA win, an MBE, and a lasting legacy as a national treasure.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

Liz Smith's acting career truly began at the age of 49, after years of struggling and raising her children as a single mother.
She became a celebrated figure in British television, renowned for her roles in iconic sitcoms like 'The Vicar of Dibley' and 'The Royle Family'.
Despite a challenging early life, Smith's resilience and talent led to a BAFTA win, an MBE, and a lasting legacy as a national treasure.

The Late Bloomer

Born Betty Gleadle in 1921, Liz Smith's journey to becoming a beloved actress was anything but conventional. For much of her life, the bright lights of stage and screen seemed a distant dream, far removed from the everyday struggles she faced. Yet, destiny had a remarkable plan for her.

A Childhood Shaped by Loss

Her early years in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, were marked by hardship. Liz lost her mother at just two years old, and her father's remarriage meant a painful severance from his past family life. This left young Betty to be raised by her widowed grandmother, a formative experience that instilled resilience.

As the world plunged into conflict, Liz answered the call of duty during the Second World War. She proudly served in the Women's Royal Naval Service — the Wrens — demonstrating an early commitment and strength of character.

A Mother's Struggle

After the war, she married Jack Thomas and had two children, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1959. Raising her son and daughter alone was an immense challenge, both financially and socially. In an era less forgiving of single mothers, Liz faced significant disapproval and hardship, pushing acting further from reach.

The Breakthrough Moment

Then, at the improbable age of 49, a phone call changed everything. Liz was working at Hamleys toy store during Christmas when she received a message from a young director named Mike Leigh. He was looking for a middle-aged woman for improvisational work.

That audition landed her the role of the downtrodden mother in Leigh's first feature film, 'Bleak Moments,' in 1971. It was a role that, in her own words, truly transformed her life. Finally, after nearly five decades, Liz Smith's acting career had begun.

Building a Portfolio

The 1970s and 80s saw Liz steadily build her career with numerous television appearances. She graced shows like 'Emmerdale Farm,' 'Last of the Summer Wine,' and 'The Sweeney,' carving out a niche for her distinctive portrayals of everyday British women.

Interestingly, she also had a recurring role as Madame Balls in the 'Pink Panther' film series, starting with deleted scenes in 'The Pink Panther Strikes Again' that later appeared in 'Trail of the Pink Panther.' She even returned for 'Curse of the Pink Panther' and 'Son of the Pink Panther'.

BAFTA Recognition

Her talent didn't go unnoticed. In 1984, Liz won a coveted BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mother in the film 'A Private Function.' It was a powerful performance that demonstrated her dramatic range, earning critical acclaim and solidifying her status as a serious actress.

The Icon of British Sitcoms

The 1990s brought her some of her most memorable and beloved roles. She appeared as the sisters Bette and Belle in '2point4 Children' and the unforgettable Letitia Cropley in 'The Vicar of Dibley.' As the village's somewhat morbid creator of peculiar culinary delights, Cropley's death in the 1996 Easter Special was a genuinely poignant moment for viewers.

But it was her role as Norma Speakman, affectionately known as Nana, in 'The Royle Family' that cemented her place in the hearts of a nation. As the sharp-witted, often gossipy, but ultimately loving grandmother, she perfectly embodied a quintessential grandparent figure. Her performance earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Comedy Performance.

The final goodbye to Nana in 'The Royle Family's' 2006 Christmas special, 'The Queen of Sheba,' was a television event. The episode poignantly depicted her declining health and death, earning widespread critical acclaim and several awards, including a BAFTA for Best Sitcom.

Later Career & Farewell

Even into her eighties, Liz continued to enchant audiences. She played the eccentric Grandma Georgina in Tim Burton's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' in 2005 and lent her distinctive voice to Mrs. Mulch in 'Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit'.

She starred in the popular period drama 'Lark Rise to Candleford' in 2008 and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours list. These accolades were a fitting tribute to her long and impactful career.

In 2006, she released her autobiography, 'Our Betty,' sharing insights into her extraordinary life journey. A year later, she followed it with a collection of short stories, 'Jottings: Flights of Fancy,' revealing another facet of her creative spirit.

Having suffered a series of strokes, Liz Smith announced her retirement from acting in July 2009 at the age of 87. It marked the end of an incredible career that began remarkably late, but left an indelible mark on British entertainment.

A Lasting Legacy

Liz Smith passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve 2016, at the age of 95. Tributes poured in from across the industry, with colleagues remembering her warmth, talent, and unique ability to bring authentic, relatable characters to life.

BBC comedy commissioner Shane Allen perfectly summarized her impact, stating she 'brilliantly captured the grandparent in everyone's family' as Nana. Mike Leigh, the director who gave her that life-changing opportunity, simply called her 'a complete breath of fresh air'.

Her enduring appeal was posthumously honored in 2025 when she appeared on a British postage stamp as part of a special Royal Mail set commemorating 'The Vicar of Dibley.' It was a final, charming recognition of a woman who proved it's never too late to shine.

Article

Liz Smith (actress)

Betty Gleadle (11 December 1921 – 24 December 2016), known by the stage name Liz Smith, was an English actress. She was known for her roles in BBC sitcoms, including as Annie Brandon in I Didn't Know You Cared (1975–1979), the sisters Bette and Belle in 2point4 Children (1991–1999), Letitia Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley (1994–1996) and Norma ("Nana") in The Royle Family (1998–2006). For the latter, Smith was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Comedy Performance in (/wiki/2007BritishAcademyTelevisionAwards). She also played Zillah in Lark Rise to Candleford (2008) and won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her portrayal of Mother in the film A Private Function (1984).

Early life

Liz Smith (actress)

Smith was born Betty Gleadle on 11 December 1921 in the Crosby area of Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. Her mother died when she was two; her father remarried, but his new wife did not wish him to have any contact with his previous life. As a result, Smith was brought up by her widowed grandmother and attended Crosby Junior School and the Scunthorpe Modern and Day Commercial Schools in Cole Street. During the Second World War, Smith served in the Women's Royal Naval Service of the Royal Navy.

Career

Early roles

In 1971, aged 49, Smith had a career breakthrough when she appeared as the downtrodden mother in Mike Leigh's film Bleak Moments:

The moment that my life transformed was when I was standing in Hamleys one Christmas, flogging toys and I got a message from this young director named Mike Leigh. I was nearly 50 at the time, but he wanted a middle-aged woman to do improvisations. I went to an audition and I got the job of the mother in this improvised film – Bleak Moments, his first film – and it changed my life.

Smith starred in It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow, written by Bernard Kops and directed by John Goldschmidt, which depicted the real-life drama of the Bethnal Green Tube Disaster during World War II. A role in Hard Labour followed. After that, Smith appeared in Emmerdale Farm (as Hilda Semple), Last of the Summer Wine, Bootsie and Snudge, Crown Court, I Didn't Know You Cared and The Sweeney. She also appeared as Madame Balls in The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), but her scenes were deleted and remained unseen until Trail of the Pink Panther in 1982. Smith was seen in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983), and later Son of the Pink Panther (1993) in the same role.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Smith appeared in many UK television programmes, including The Duchess of Duke Street, Within These Walls, In Loving Memory, The Gentle Touch, Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime, The Life and Loves of a She-Devil, One by One as Gran Turner and The Lenny Henry Show. In (/wiki/38thBritishAcademyFilmAwards), Smith received a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the mother of Maggie Smith's character in A Private Function.

In 1980, Smith won a role in Sir Henry at Rawlinson End as Lady Philippa of Staines. She later appeared in the thriller, Apartment Zero, which was featured in the 1988 Sundance Film Festival. Smith played the role of one of two eccentric characters (the other is Dora Bryan) described by The Washington Post as two "... tea-and-crumpet gargoyle-featured spinsters who snoop the corridors." also had a part in Lovejoy 1eps

1990s

Smith started the 1990s by appearing in 2point4 Children (as "Aunt Belle" and "Bette"), Bottom, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and Lovejoy. In 1994, she played the lead role in the Children's BBC series Pirates and the supporting role of Letitia Cropley for seven episodes in The Vicar of Dibley. In the 1996 Easter Special episode, the character died.

In November 1995, Smith made a guest appearance in the BBC1 medical drama series Casualty. In 1996, she had a cameo appearance in the Mike Leigh film Secrets & Lies and in 1998 starred in the TV sitcom The Royle Family. This aired until 2000, but came back for a special episode in 2006 when her character, Nana, died. In the meantime, Smith had appeared in The Queen's Nose and The Bill. In 1999, Smith was featured in A Christmas Carol as Mrs Dilber. She portrayed that same character in the 1984 version and also appeared as Miss Lory in Alice in Wonderland.

2000s and 2010s

Smith continued to act until ill-health beset her in 2009, appearing in such TV programmes as Trial & Retribution V and Doctors. In 2001, Smith appeared as herself in Lily Savage's Blankety Blank. Four years later, she played Grandma Georgina in the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and provided the voice of Mrs. Mulch in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, as well as small roles in Oliver Twist and Keeping Mum.

In 2006, Smith published her autobiography Our Betty, and moved to a retirement home in Hampstead, London, around the same time. The following year, Smith published a series of short stories entitled Jottings: Flights of Fancy and appeared in the Little Man Tate music video "This Must Be Love". On 5 December 2007, she won the Best Television Comedy Actress at the British Comedy Awards for her role in The Royle Family. The 2006 episode "The Queen of Sheba" takes place six years after the events of the previous series and features Nana's declining health and death. It won the Best Sitcom award at the 2007 BAFTAs, and won the Royal Television Society Award for Best Situation Comedy & Comedy Drama.

In 2006, Smith made a cameo appearance in Kenneth Branagh's film The Magic Flute, a version in English of the Mozart opera. However, her role did not require her to sing. Smith portrayed Old Papagena who, later on in the film, magically transforms into Young Papagena (played by soprano Silvia Moi) and marries the birdcatcher Papageno (played by baritone Benjamin Jay Davis).

In 2008, Smith starred in the first series of the period drama Lark Rise to Candleford. That same year, she was a castaway on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs and was in the film City of Ember, which was released in October 2008. In July 2009, Smith was featured in a one-hour BBC Four documentary called Liz Smith's Summer Cruise, where she joined a group of like-minded individuals on a cruise from Croatia to Venice. That same month, having suffered a series of strokes a few months earlier, Smith announced her retirement from acting at age 87. Smith was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.

In 2010, Smith took part in the BBC television programme The Young Ones, in which six celebrities in their 70s and 80s attempted to overcome some of the problems of ageing by harking back to the 1970s.

Personal life and death

Liz Smith (actress)

In 1945, Smith married Jack Thomas, whom she met while on service in India. They had two children, but divorced in 1959. Smith brought up her son and daughter on her own. She described this as an extremely difficult period in her life, as Smith struggled against financial problems and social disapproval of her status as a divorcée.

Smith died from natural causes on Christmas Eve 2016 at her home in Worthing, West Sussex, at age 95.

Tributes

Shane Allen, controller of BBC comedy commissioning, said that Smith had "brilliantly captured the grandparent in everyone's family" as Nana in The Royle Family. Mike Leigh said, "She was a complete breath of fresh air... she was not your bog standard middle-aged actress." The final episode of the lockdown edition of The Vicar of Dibley ended with a tribute just before the closing credits reading, "In loving memory of Liz, John, Emma and Roger", paying tribute to Smith and three other deceased Dibley cast members (John Bluthal, Emma Chambers and Roger Lloyd-Pack).

In 2025, Smith appeared on a British postage stamp issued as part of a special set by Royal Mail, which commemorated the series The Vicar of Dibley.

Filmography

Liz Smith (actress)

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1970</td><td>Leo the Last</td><td>Raving Tenant (uncredited)</td></tr><tr><td>1971</td><td>Bleak Moments</td><td>Pat's Mother</td></tr><tr><td>1976</td><td>It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet</td><td>Mrs. Dodds</td></tr><tr><td>1977</td><td>The Duellists</td><td>Fortune Teller</td></tr><tr><td>The Stick Up</td><td>Hotel Manageress</td></tr><tr><td>1979</td><td>Agatha</td><td>Flora</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td><td>Sir Henry at Rawlinson End</td><td>Lady Phillipa of Staines</td></tr><tr><td>1981</td><td>The Monster Club</td><td>Villager (uncredited)</td></tr><tr><td>The French Lieutenant's Woman</td><td>Mrs. Fairley</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td>Britannia Hospital</td><td>Maisie</td></tr><tr><td>Crystal Gazing</td><td>Lady in Pub</td></tr><tr><td>Give Us This Day</td><td>Landlady</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td>Fanny Hill</td><td>Mrs. Jones (uncredited)</td></tr><tr><td>Curse of the Pink Panther</td><td>Marta Balls</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td>A Private Function</td><td>Mother</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>Little Dorrit</td><td>Mrs. Bangham</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td><td>We Think the World of You</td><td>Millie Burney</td></tr><tr><td>High Spirits</td><td>Lavinia Plunkett</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td>Bert Rigby, You're a Fool</td><td>Mrs. Rigby</td></tr><tr><td>The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover</td><td>Grace</td></tr><tr><td>Apartment Zero</td><td>Mary Louise McKinney</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td>Dakota Road</td><td>Joan Road</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Son of the Pink Panther</td><td>Marta Balls</td></tr><tr><td>Piccolo grande amore</td><td>Queen Mother</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td>Haunted</td><td>Old Gypsy Woman</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td>Secrets & Lies</td><td>Cat Owner</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td><td>Keep the Aspidistra Flying</td><td>Mrs. Meakin</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>Sweet Revenge</td><td>Winnie</td></tr><tr><td>Anthrakitis (short)</td><td>Dolly</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Tom's Midnight Garden</td><td>Mrs. Willows</td></tr><tr><td>Tube Tales</td><td>Old Lady (segment: "Horny")</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Anna Spud (short)</td><td>Gran</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>Dead Cool</td><td>Liz</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</td><td>Grandma Georgina</td></tr><tr><td>Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit</td><td>Mrs. Mulch (voice)</td></tr><tr><td>Oliver Twist</td><td>Old Woman</td></tr><tr><td>Keeping Mum</td><td>Mrs. Parker</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>The Magic Flute</td><td>The Old Papagena</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Flick</td><td>Ma</td></tr><tr><td>City of Ember</td><td>Granny Mayfleet</td></tr></tbody></table>

Television

Liz Smith (actress)

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1973</td><td>Last of the Summer Wine</td><td>Housekeeper</td><td>Series 1, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>Bedtime Stories</td><td>Miss Long</td><td>Series 1, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>Comedy Playhouse</td><td>(unknown role)</td><td>Series 15, episode 14</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>Seven Faces of Woman</td><td>Madge</td><td>Series 1, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>Village Hall</td><td>Mrs. Whalley</td><td>Series 1, episode 2</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>Omnibus</td><td>Mrs. Smith</td><td>Series 8, episode 3</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>Bootsie and Snudge</td><td>Mrs. Partridge</td><td>Series 4, episode 3</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>No, Honestly</td><td>May</td><td>Series 1, episode 5</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>South Riding</td><td>Nellie Hughins</td><td>Series 1, episodes 1 and 9</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>Second City Firsts</td><td>Mrs. Murphy</td><td>Series 3, episode 7</td></tr><tr><td>1974</td><td>David Copperfield</td><td>Mrs. Heep</td><td>Miniseries (3 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1975</td><td>The Sweeney</td><td>Mrs. Davies</td><td>Series 2, episode 5</td></tr><tr><td>1975</td><td>The Dick Emery Show</td><td>(unknown role)</td><td>Series 14, episode 5</td></tr><tr><td>1975</td><td>It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow</td><td>Vi Bell</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1975</td><td>Emmerdale Farm</td><td>Hilda Semple</td><td>Episodes 275–278</td></tr><tr><td>1975</td><td>The Fortune Hunters</td><td>Mrs. Eady</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1974–1976</td><td>Crown Court</td><td>Mrs. Fowkes</td><td>Series 3, episode 7</td></tr><tr><td>Kitty Ross</td><td>Series 4, episodes 15 and 17</td></tr><tr><td>Mrs. Flynn</td><td>Series 5, episodes 39, 40 and 41</td></tr><tr><td>1976</td><td>The Hunchback of Notre Dame</td><td>La Falourdel</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1977</td><td>The Punch Review</td><td>Various</td><td>Series 1, episode 2</td></tr><tr><td>1977</td><td>Nicholas Nickleby</td><td>Peg Sliderskew</td><td>Miniseries (2 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1977</td><td>Ripping Yarns</td><td>Mrs. Bag</td><td>Series 1, episode 2</td></tr><tr><td>1977</td><td>The Duchess of Duke Street</td><td>Nanny</td><td>Series 2, episodes 4 and 12</td></tr><tr><td>1978</td><td>Within These Walls</td><td>Tottie Dodd</td><td>Series 5, episodes 12 and 13</td></tr><tr><td>1975–1979</td><td>I Didn't Know You Cared</td><td>Annie Brandon</td><td>Series 1–4 (series regular, 27 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1979</td><td>Hazell</td><td>Mrs. Scropp</td><td>Series 2, episode 12</td></tr><tr><td>1973–1980</td><td>Play for Today</td><td>Mrs. Thornley</td><td>Series 3, episode 20</td></tr><tr><td>Mrs. Matthews</td><td>Series 4, episode 3</td></tr><tr><td>Series 5, episode 5</td></tr><tr><td>Mrs. Pritchett</td><td>Series 5, episode 10</td></tr><tr><td>Mrs. Oxfam</td><td>Series 6, episode 5</td></tr><tr><td>Keith's Granny</td><td>Series 7, episode 12</td></tr><tr><td>Elfie</td><td>Series 10, episode 15</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td><td>Bernie</td><td>(unknown role)</td><td>Series 2, episode 3</td></tr><tr><td>1980</td><td>The Russ Abbot Madhouse</td><td>Various</td><td>Series 1 (7 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1981</td><td>The Other 'Arf</td><td>Nora</td><td>Series 2, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1981</td><td>Love Story: A Chance to Sit Down</td><td>Mrs. Barker</td><td>Series 1, episode 3</td></tr><tr><td>1980–1982</td><td>In Loving Memory</td><td>Hilda Pardoe</td><td>Series 2, episode 1 and series 3, episode 8</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td>The Gentle Touch</td><td>Edna Slater</td><td>Series 3, episode 10</td></tr><tr><td>1982</td><td>Russian Night... 1941</td><td>Frosya</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td>Mr. Right</td><td>Gran</td><td>Series 1, episodes 1–4</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td>Separate Tables</td><td>Miss Meacham</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td>The All Electric Amusement Arcade</td><td>Gran</td><td>Series 1 (series regular, 7 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1983</td><td>Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime</td><td>Hannah Macpherson</td><td>Miniseries (1 episode)</td></tr><tr><td>1983–1984</td><td>Now and Then</td><td>Gran</td><td>Series 1 and 2 (series regular, 13 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td>One by One</td><td>Gran Turner</td><td>Series 1 (series regular, 10 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td>The Lenny Henry Show</td><td>Various</td><td>Series 1, episode 2</td></tr><tr><td>1984</td><td>A Christmas Carol</td><td>Mrs. Dilber</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td>Doctors' Dilemmas</td><td>Edna Bryant</td><td>Series 2, episode 5</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td>Mann's Best Friends</td><td>Mrs. Anstruther</td><td>Series regular. In 5 episodes.</td></tr><tr><td>1985</td><td>Rainbow</td><td>Auntie Liz</td><td>Series 14, episode 40</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td>Harem</td><td>Mrs. Pendleton</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td>King and Castle</td><td>Mrs. Chalmers</td><td>Series 1, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1986</td><td>The Life and Loves of a She-Devil</td><td>Mrs. Fisher</td><td>Miniseries (3 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>Imaginary Friends</td><td>Milly Munger</td><td>Miniseries (3 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>Worlds Beyond</td><td>Mrs. Watts</td><td>Series 1, episode 10</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>Bust</td><td>Brenda Walsh</td><td>Series 1, episode 5</td></tr><tr><td>1987</td><td>When We Are Married</td><td>Mrs. Northrop</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1987–1988</td><td>Valentine Park</td><td>Mrs. Giles</td><td>Series 1 and 2 (series regular, 12 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td><td>All in Good Faith</td><td>Annie Freeman</td><td>Series 3, episode 2</td></tr><tr><td>1988</td><td>Jake's Journey</td><td>Witch</td><td>TV pilot</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td>Young Charlie Chaplin</td><td>Mrs. Greenwood</td><td>Series 1, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td>Singles</td><td>Mrs. Phelps</td><td>Series 2, episode 6</td></tr><tr><td>1989</td><td>All Change</td><td>Aunt Mary</td><td>Series 1, episode 5</td></tr><tr><td>1987–1990</td><td>Screen Two</td><td>Mrs. Slatterthwaite</td><td>Series 3, episode 13</td></tr><tr><td>Gran</td><td>Series 5, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>Agent</td><td>Series 6, episode 3</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td>A Bit of Fry & Laurie</td><td>Woman Returning Suits</td><td>Series 2, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1990</td><td>Dunrulin</td><td>Mrs. Trodd</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1990–1991</td><td>Making Out</td><td>Muriel</td><td>Series 2, episode 4 and series 3, episode 6</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td>El C.I.D.</td><td>Mildred</td><td>Series 2, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td>Bottom</td><td>Gypsy Slag Wagon</td><td>Series 1, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td><td>Performance</td><td>Anyula</td><td>Series 1, episode 3</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td><td>The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles</td><td>Delfina</td><td>Series 2, episode 4</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Lovejoy</td><td>Florence</td><td>Series 4, episode 8</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Cluedo</td><td>Mrs. Blanche White</td><td>Series 4 (series regular, 6 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Without Walls</td><td>Maid</td><td>1 episode</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td><td>New Voices</td><td>Nana</td><td>1 episode</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td><td>Takin' Over the Asylum</td><td>Harriet</td><td>Miniseries (1 episode)</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td><td>Screen One</td><td>Mrs. Thompson</td><td>Series 6, episode 7</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td>Crapston Villas</td><td>Delia (voice)</td><td>20 episodes</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td><td>Casualty</td><td>Tillie</td><td>Series 10, Episode 9</td></tr><tr><td>1994–1997</td><td>Pirates</td><td>Abigail Blood</td><td>Series 1–3 (24 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1994–1996</td><td>The Vicar of Dibley</td><td>Letitia Cropley</td><td>Series 1 (series regular, 6 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>Easter special (final episode)</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td><td>Karaoke</td><td>Mrs. Baglin</td><td>Miniseries (3 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>V.I.P.</td><td>Gossip Columnist</td><td>Series 1, episode 1</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td><td>The Canterbury Tales</td><td>The Hag</td><td>Series 1, episode 1</td></tr><tr><td>1991–1999</td><td>2Point4Children</td><td>Bette</td><td>Series 1–8 (recurring, 11 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>Aunt Belle</td><td>Series 3, episode 1 and series 6, episode 3</td></tr><tr><td>1996–1999</td><td>The Queen's Nose</td><td>Grandma</td><td>Series 2 and 3 (7 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Alice in Wonderland</td><td>Miss Lory</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>The Ruth Rendell Mysteries</td><td>Lena Finn</td><td>Series 11, episodes 8 and 9</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>A Christmas Carol</td><td>Mrs. Dilber</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Oliver Twist</td><td>Sally</td><td>Miniseries (2 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>City Central</td><td>Megan Roberts</td><td>Series 3, episode 2</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>Donovan Quick</td><td>Granny</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td><td>A Christmas Carol</td><td>Joyce</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td><td>The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby</td><td>Peg Sliderskew</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Animated Tales of the World</td><td>Third Aunt</td><td>Series 2, episode 12</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Trial & Retribution</td><td>Mrs. Dorothy Norton</td><td>Series 5, episodes 1 and 2</td></tr><tr><td>1984–2002</td><td>The Bill</td><td>Maggie</td><td>Series 1, episode 6</td></tr><tr><td>Mrs. West</td><td>Series 7, episode 30</td></tr><tr><td>Edna Finch</td><td>Series 14, episode 78</td></tr><tr><td>Harriet 'Tatsie' Wright</td><td>Series 18, episodes 51 and 52</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Doctors</td><td>Agatha Clifford</td><td>Series 5, episode 142</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Between the Sheets</td><td>Audrey Delany</td><td>Series 1 (series regular, 6 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>Nero</td><td>Soothsayer</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>1998–2006</td><td>The Royle Family</td><td>Norma Speakman (Nana)</td><td>Series 1–3 (recurring, 10 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>2006 special</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>The Abbey</td><td>Elsie</td><td>TV pilot</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Lark Rise to Candleford</td><td>Zillah</td><td>Series 1 (series regular, 10 episodes)</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>The Antiques Rogue Show</td><td>Olive Greenhalgh</td><td>TV film</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td><td>The All Star Impressions Show</td><td>Queen Elizabeth II</td><td>TV special</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Common Ground</td><td>Colin's Mum</td><td>Series 1, episode 7</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>The Tunnel</td><td>Harriet Stone</td><td>Series 1, episodes 2 and 3</td></tr></tbody></table>