Penelope Wilton (born as Penelope Alice Wilton on 3rd June 1946; Scarborough, England) is the actress who plays Isobel Grey on Downton Abbey. She is best known for her role as Ann Bryce in the hit comedy TV series Ever Decreasing Circles (1984-1989), featuring Downton Abbey co-star Peter Egan (""Shrimpie"). She also is known for her role in the pair of mini-series as Homily in The Borrowers (1992) and The Return of the Borrowers (1993) opposite Ian Holm. She later appeared as Harriet Jones in the first season of the Doctor Who (2005+) reboot and as Pauline in the mini-series Brief Encounters (2016). She is more recently known for her roles in the movies Zoo (2017) and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023).
Wilton was appointed as a Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire ("OBE") in 2004 for her service to the Dramatic Arts and then elevated to a Dame Commander ("DBE") in the Queen's Birthday Honors in 2016.
Other notable roles[]
- Series
- Francine in Dead Hot (6 ep 2024 mini-series)
- Anne (15 ep) in After Life (3 seasons, 18 ep 2019–2022 mini-series)
- Pauline (main role) in Brief Encounters (6 ep 2016 mini-series)
- Mrs Beddows in South Riding (3 ep 2011 mini-series)
- Barbara Poole in Five Days: Revised Final Episode (1 hr 2 min special 2007)
- Barbara Poole (S1 5 ep) in Five Days (2 seasons, 5 ep per 2007–2010)
- Harriet Jones (S1 3 ep, S4 1 ep in Doctor Who (13 seasons 2005–2022)
- Monica Gossage (5 ep) in Bob & Rose (6 ep 2001 mini-series)
- Princess Mary Louise Victoria, Duchess of Kent in Victoria & Albert (2 ep 3 hr 20 min 2001 mini-series)
- Homily (main role) in The Return of the Borrowers (6 ep 1993 mini-series)
- Homily (main role) in The Borrowers (6 ep 1992 mini-series)
- Beatrice (main role) in Screaming (8 ep 1992)
- Ann Bryce (main role) in Ever Decreasing Circles (1984–1989)
- Lilli Czepanek (main role) in The Song of Songs (5 ep 1973 mini-series)
- Anna Pearcross (main role) in The Pearcross Girls (4 ep 1973 mini-series)
- Movies
- Maureen (main role) in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023)
- Hester Leggett in Operation Mincemeat (2021)
- Older Alice (main role) in Summerland (2020)
- Vivian in Eternal Beauty (2019)
- Amelia Maugery in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
- Denise Austin (main role) in Zoo (2017)
- The Queen in BFG (2016)
- Lady Mary Murray in Belle (2013)
- Peggy Robertson in The Girl (2012 TV movie)
- Jean Ainslie in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
- B.Q in Margot (2009)
- Julie in Celebration (2007)
- Mrs. Bibby in The History Boys (2006)
- Eleanor Hewett in Match Point (2005)
- Daisy Langrish (main role) in Falling (2005)
- Ruth in Calendar Girls (2003)
- Celia Welch in Lucky Jim (2003)
- Marjorie in This Could Be the Last Time (1998 TV movie)
- Lady Ottoline Morrell in Carrington (1995)
- Wendy Woods in Cry Freedom (1987)
- Alice Singleton (main role) in Singleton's Pluck (1984)
- Beatrix Potter (main role) in The Tale of Beatrix Potter (1983 TV movie)
- Regan in King Lear (1982)
- Desdemona in Othello (1981)
External links[]
- Other info
- News
The Telegraph Downton’s Penelope Wilton: ‘After a certain age, you don’t have to be in a retirement home to lead a normal life’
VanityFair.com Downton Abbey’s Penelope Wilton on What Queen Elizabeth’s Clothes in The BFG Taught Her Julie Miller July 1, 2016 12:38 pm
