Penelope Wilton

A short biography of the new series actress.

Penelope first came to fame in the sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles, playing Anne, the long-suffering wife of Richard Briers' character Martin Bryce.

Penelope Wilton was married to Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins in Lord of the Rings). She starred with him in the BBC production of The Borrowers.

Penelope has also worked with Paul McGann – on the series The Monocled Mutineer and she has worked for Russell T Davies before – on the ITV drama Bob and Rose, playing the fabulously named Monica Gossage.

Other television roles include playing Beatrix Potter in The Tale of Beatrix Potter (1982), Rosemary in Talking Heads 2, and the Queen Mother in Victoria and Albert.

Film credits include Cry Freedom, Clockwise and the new film version of Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley

Her most recent film roles include playing Simon Pegg's mother in Shaun of the Dead and Ruth in Calendar Girls.

Penelope was awarded the O.B.E. in the Queen's 2004 New Year's Honours List for her services to drama.