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Miriam Margolyes

British-Australian actress (born 1941)


British-Australian actress (born 1941)

FieldValue
nameMiriam Margolyes
honorific_suffix
imageMiriam Margolyes 2008.jpg
alt
captionMargolyes in 2008
birth_name
birth_date
birth_placeOxford, England
citizenship
educationOxford High School
alma_materUniversity of Cambridge
awardsBAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
known_for
occupation
years_active1963–present
partyLabour
partnerHeather Sutherland (1968–present)
website

Miriam Margolyes ( ; born 18 May 1941) is a British-Australian actress. Known for her work as a character actor across film, television, and stage, she received the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mrs. Mingott in Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence (1993), and achieved international prominence with her portrayal of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film series (2001–2011). Margolyes was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2002 New Year Honours for Services to Drama.

After starting her career in theatre, Margolyes made the transition to film with a small part in the British comedy A Nice Girl Like Me (1969). Subsequent credits include Yentl (1983), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Little Dorrit (1988), I Love You to Death (1990), Immortal Beloved (1994), Balto (1995), Different for Girls, Romeo + Juliet (both 1996), Magnolia, End of Days (both 1999), Being Julia, and Ladies in Lavender (both 2004). She voiced roles in Babe (1995), James and the Giant Peach (1996), Mulan (1998), Happy Feet (2006), Flushed Away (2006), and Early Man (2018).

Margolyes appeared in the television films Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story (1987), Orpheus Descending (1990), Stalin (1992), Cold Comfort Farm (1995), and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004). Her other credits include Blackadder (1983–1988), Vanity Fair, Supply & Demand (both 1998), and Doctor Who (2023), as well as the recurring roles of Prudence Stanley in the Australian drama series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (2012–2015), and Sister Mildred in the BBC1 drama series Call the Midwife (2018–2021).

On stage, Margolyes toured her one-woman show, Dickens' Women, between 1989 and 2012, which earned her an Olivier Award nomination; starred as Sue Mengers in the Australian premiere of I'll Eat You Last (2014); and originated the role of Madame Morrible in Wicked (West End, 2006; Broadway, 2008). Outside acting, she has fronted various travelogue series and written three memoirs: This Much is True (2021), Oh Miriam! (2023), and The little book of Miriam (2025).

Early life and education

Miriam Margolyes was born on 18 May 1941 in Oxford, England, into a Jewish family. She is the only child of Joseph Margolyes (1899–1995), a Scottish physician and general practitioner from the Strathbungo area of Glasgow, and property-developer Ruth (; 1905–1974), daughter of a second-hand furniture dealer and auctioneer at Kirkdale, Liverpool, who later relocated to London. Her maternal great-grandfather, Symeon Sandmann, was born in the Polish town of Margonin, then part of the Kingdom of Prussia, which Margolyes visited in 2013. Her paternal grandfather Philip Margolyes was born in the small Belarusian shtetl of Amdur, which at the time was in Grodno Governorate, Russian Empire.

Margolyes attended Oxford High School There, in her 20s, she began acting and appeared in productions by the Cambridge Footlights. She represented Newnham College in the first series of University Challenge, where she may have been one of the first people to say "fuck" on British television; she claims to have used the word in frustration on the show in 1963. The word was "bleeped out" for transmission.

Career

With her versatile voice, Margolyes first gained recognition as a voice artist. In the 1970s, she recorded a soft-porn audio called Sexy Sonia: Leaves from my Schoolgirl Notebook. In 1972, she played alongside Tony Robinson in the educational TV show Sam on Boffs' Island. She performed most of the supporting female characters in the dubbed Japanese action TV series Monkey. She also worked with the theatre company Gay Sweatshop and provided voiceovers in the Japanese TV series The Water Margin.

In 1974, she appeared with Kenneth Williams and Ted Ray in the BBC Radio 2 comedy series The Betty Witherspoon Show.

Margolyes's first major role in a film was as Elephant Ethel in Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers (1977). In the 1980s, she made appearances in Blackadder opposite Rowan Atkinson: these roles include the Spanish Infanta in The Black Adder, Lady Whiteadder in Blackadder II and Queen Victoria in Blackadder's Christmas Carol. In 1986, she played a major supporting role in the BBC drama The Life and Loves of a She-Devil. She won the 1989 LA Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Flora Finching in the film Little Dorrit (1988). On American television, she headlined the short-lived 1992 CBS sitcom Frannie's Turn. In 1994, she won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mrs Mingott in Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence (1993).

Margolyes played the dental nurse to Steve Martin's dentist in the 1986 film Little Shop of Horrors. In her 2023 memoir Oh Miriam: Stories from an Extraordinary Life, Margolyes said Martin was "undeniably brilliant, but horrid to me" during the film. Martin responded that "My memory is that we had a good communication as professional actors. But when it is implied that I harmed her or was in some way careless about doing the stunts, I have to object".

In 1989, Margolyes co-wrote and performed a one-woman show, Dickens' Women, in which she played 23 characters from Dickens' novels. In 2005, Margolyes hosted a ten-part BBC Four documentary, Dickens in America, which retraced Dickens's 1842 journey across the United States of America.

Margolyes played Aunt Sponge and voiced the Glow-Worm in James and the Giant Peach (1996). She played the Nurse in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (1996). She voiced the rabbit character in the animated commercials for Cadbury's Caramel bars and provided the voice of Fly the dog in the Australian-American family film Babe (1995).

She played Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and again in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011). In a 2011 interview on The Graham Norton Show, in regard to her Potter costars, Margolyes said that she got on well with Maggie Smith, but rather bluntly admitted that she "didn't like the one that died", referring to Richard Harris. In 2024, Margolyes enraged adult Harry Potter fans by stating, "I worry about Harry Potter fans because they should be over that by now. It was 25 years ago, and it’s for children." Harry Potter fans responded on X, one saying "Nobody has a right to try and shame people into not enjoying something they harmlessly enjoy." Louis Chilton wrote in The Independent that "Margolyes does have that right. Don’t we all? And what’s a bit of shame every now and then between friends?"

In 2004, Margolyes played the role of Peg Sellers, the mother of Peter Sellers, in the Golden Globe winning film The Life and Death of Peter Sellers.

Margolyes was one of the original cast of the London production of the musical Wicked opposite Idina Menzel in 2006, playing Madame Morrible, a role she played again on Broadway in 2008.

In 2009, she appeared in a new production of Endgame by Samuel Beckett at the Duchess Theatre in the West End.

Margolyes voiced the role of Mrs. Plithiver, a blind snake, in the 3D-animated-epic film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010).

In 2011, Margolyes recorded a narrative for the album The Devil's Brides by klezmer musician-ethnographer Yale Strom.

Margolyes played recurring character Prudence Stanley in the Australian-based TV series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries from 2012 to 2015.

In 2014, she voiced Nana in the Disney Junior animated series Nina Needs to Go!

In January 2016, Margolyes appeared in The Real Marigold Hotel, a travel documentary in which a group of eight celebrities travelled to India to see whether retirement would be more rewarding there than in the UK. The series was reprised for two Christmas Specials The Real Marigold On Tour, from Florida and Kyoto. She narrated the 2016 ITV documentary about Lady Colin Campbell entitled Lady C and the Castle.

In December 2017, Margolyes appeared in the second season of The Real Marigold On Tour to Chengdu and Havana. She appeared in the first episode of the third series, in which she travelled to St Petersburg with Bobby George, Sheila Ferguson and Stanley Johnson.

In January 2018, Margolyes hosted a three-part series for the BBC titled Miriam's Big American Adventure, highlighting the citizens of the United States and the issues facing the country. She voiced Queen Oofeefa in the film Early Man. Margolyes portrayed Mother Mildred in the BBC One drama Call the Midwife from 2018 until 2021.

She played Miss Shepherd in a 2019 production of The Lady in the Van for the Melbourne Theatre Company in Melbourne in Australia.

In October 2021, she played Lillian opposite Helen Monks in the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Charlotte and Lillian, where she introduced her autobiography This Much Is True. On 5 November, she appeared on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show, where she discussed the book, explaining that it was written only because she "was paid an enormous amount of money". On 16 September, the book was published by Hachette Books.

In April 2022, Margolyes was the subject of the BBC documentary Miriam Margolyes: Up for Grabs in the Imagine... series, where she was interviewed by Alan Yentob.

She appeared on BBC Radio 4's The Museum of Curiosity in February 2023. Her hypothetical donation to this imaginary museum was "Charles Dickens and all his works". In November 2023, Margolyes appeared as the voice of The Meep in "The Star Beast", the first of three Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials.

In 2025, she performed as solo entertainer in her show Margolyes and Dickens: More Best Bits at Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Personal life

Margolyes spent many years living for long periods in Australia, and became an Australian citizen on Australia Day 2013, while retaining her British citizenship.

She is lesbian, and referred to herself as a "dyke" live on national television and in front of Australian prime minister Julia Gillard in 2013. Since 1968, she has been in a relationship with Heather Sutherland, an Australian retired professor of Indonesian studies. On 26 June 2013, Sutherland and Margolyes entered into a civil partnership. , they were dividing their time between homes in London and Kent in England, Robertson, New South Wales in Australia, and Montisi in Italy. In November 2023, Margolyes revealed on The Graham Norton Show that she and Sutherland had never lived together but she wanted to do so as they were now both old and did not have much time left. She had been living in London and Sutherland had been living in Amsterdam for a while.

Health

Margolyes has spoken openly about several health challenges in later life. She has been diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a condition that causes narrowing of the spinal canal and affects mobility. As a result, she uses mobility aids, including walking sticks, a walker, and a mobility scooter, and is registered as disabled. She also suffers from osteoarthritis, which contributes to chronic pain in her legs, hands, and back, and has undergone knee replacement surgery on her left knee.

In May 2023, she underwent a transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), a minimally invasive heart procedure in which her aortic valve was replaced with one made from the tissue of a cow's heart.

In July 2025, Margolyes responded to renewed media speculation about her health, following earlier claims that she had said in an interview she was "probably going to die within the next five or six years, if not before". In a video message, she dismissed claims that she was "at death's door" as "bollocks", affirming she was "very much alive" and preparing to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In August 2025, during an interview with Weekend Magazine, Margolyes expressed support for assisted dying, stating she would consider it if a stroke left her unable to speak, doubly incontinent or cognitively impaired.

Charities

Margolyes is a patron of My Death My Decision, an organisation in the UK which seeks a more compassionate approach to dying, including the legal right to a medically assisted death, if that is a person's persistent wish.

Margolyes is a supporter of Sense (the National Deafblind and Rubella Association) and was the host at the first Sense Creative Writing Awards, held at the Charles Dickens Museum in London in December 2006, where she read a number of works written by talented deafblind people. She is also a campaigner for the respite care charity Crossroads.

Political views

Margolyes' political activism started at university. "I came from a very middle-class Jewish background, always Tory-voting", she later said. However, in the 1970s, she joined the Workers Revolutionary Party with other actors and Equity members including Vanessa Redgrave, Frances de la Tour, and Tom Kempinski.

Margolyes is a member of the Labour Party and is registered to vote in Vauxhall. In August 2015, she was a signatory to a letter criticising The Jewish Chronicles reporting of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's alleged associations with antisemites. In November 2019, she endorsed the Labour Party in the UK general election because of their policies on the National Health Service. Later in the month, along with other public figures, she signed a letter supporting Corbyn and describing him as a "beacon of hope in the struggle against emergent far-right nationalism, xenophobia, and racism in much of the democratic world".

Margolyes was very critical of the British Government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. She considered it "a public scandal" and "a disgrace". With the Prime Minister hospitalised suffering from COVID-19, Margolyes said "I had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die."

In her 2020 ABC series Almost Australian, Margoyles interviewed the Sistergirls of the Tiwi Islands, a transgender group of indigenous Australians. Margoyles can be seen telling the group "to be a woman you're gonna have to get rid of all that stuff [referring to facial hair] but I get whiskers on my chin and I have to pluck them out with tweezers because that's what women do," before being told by one of the indigenous members "you know, in our culture we respect that person regardless of the look. We don't look on the outside, it's the inside that you have to change." Margolyes responded "I apologise, now I understand."

In a 2022 interview with Radio Times, Margolyes came to the defence of J. K. Rowling, commenting that "There is a spectrum and people can be anywhere along that. There isn't one answer to all these trans questions". In November 2023, Margolyes said during another appearance on The Graham Norton Show that her position had changed after a discussion with Zoe Terakes, a trans Australian actor, and that she no longer believed that grammar was paramount over making someone happy by using their preferred pronouns.

On 15 October 2022, after being interviewed by Justin Webb about the recently deceased Robbie Coltrane on BBC Radio 4's Today, she commented to the presenters that she had never expected to be in a seat that had just been vacated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt. She said, live on air, "When I saw him there I just said, 'You've got a hell of a job, the best of luck', and what I really wanted to say was 'Fuck you, you bastard!'" She was herself shaken by the blunder, explaining to a researcher as she left the studio that she thought the mics were off at the time of the comment.

She is a signatory of Jews for Justice for Palestinians. Margolyes said, "What I want to try to do is to get Jewish people to understand what's really going on, and they don't want to hear it. If you speak to most Jews and say, 'Can Israel ever be in the wrong?' they say, 'No. Our duty as Jews is to support Israel whatever happens.' And I don't believe that. It is our duty as human beings to report the truth as we see it."

On 6 April 2024, a video by Margolyes was published by The Jewish Council of Australia criticising the Israeli government for its ongoing invasion of the Gaza Strip and calling on Jews to "shout, beg, scream" for a ceasefire. In her 2.5 minute video she said:

The Campaign Against Antisemitism described these comments as "repugnant" and "anti-Jewish venom". It said it would write to the Honours Forfeiture Committee and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and urge them to revoke her honours. Jewish author and activist Andrew Feinstein said Margolyes is "a Jew who believes that ‘Never Again' applies to all humanity and speaks up about the reality that Israel does not represent us. She speaks truth to power in the best Jewish tradition". Margolyes said "I'm not antisemitic, I'm anti-killing children. I am criticising the Israeli government. But I am also criticising the Jewish people in the UK, the community that I belong to, which is not coming out in support of me. I just want people not to kill each other".

Books

  • Dickens' Women (2011) Co-authored with Sonia Fraser
  • This Much is True (2021)
  • Oh Miriam!: Stories from an Extraordinary Life (2023)
  • The Little Book of Miriam (2025)

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1969A Nice Girl Like MePensione 'Mama'
1974On the GameNarratorUncredited
1975Rime of the Ancient MarinerDorothy Wordsworth
1977Stand Up, Virgin SoldiersElephant Ethel
Confessions from a Holiday CampBlackbirdUncredited voice role
The Battle of Billy's PondTour Guide
1978On a Paving Stone MountedPerformer
1980The AppleLandlady
The AwakeningDr Kadira
1981RedsWoman writing in notebookUncredited role
1982Crystal GazingNewsreader
1983YentlSarah
ScrubbersJones
1984Electric DreamsTicket girl
1985The Good FatherJane Powell
Morons from Outer SpaceDoctor Wallace
1986Little Shop of HorrorsDental Nurse
1987Body ContactMrs. Zulu
1988Little DorritFlora Finching
1990The FoolMrs. Bowring
Pacific HeightsRochelle
I Love You to DeathMrs Soca
1991The Butcher's WifeGina
Dead AgainLadyUncredited role
1992As You Like ItAudrey
1993The Age of InnocenceMrs. Mingotttitle=Miriam Margolyes » Rôles » Filmurl=https://miriammargolyes.com/roles/film/access-date=12 September 2025website=MiriamMargolyes.com}}
Ed and His Dead MotherMabel Chilton
1994Immortal BelovedNanette Streicherová
1995BaltoGrandma Rosy
BabeFlyVoice role
1996Different for GirlsPamela
Romeo + JulietThe Nurse
James and the Giant PeachAunt Sponge/GlowwormVoice role
1998MulanThe Matchmaker
Babe: Pig in the CityFlyVoice role; cameo
The First Snow of WinterSean the duckVoice role
Left LuggageMrs Goldman
CandyGisella
1999MagnoliaFaye BarringerUncredited role
End of DaysMabel
Dreaming of Joseph LeesSignora Caldoni
SunshineRose Sonnenschein
2000House!Beth
2001Not Afraid, Not AfraidPerformer
Cats & DogsSophie the Castle Maid
2002Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsProfessor Pomona Sprout
Plots with a ViewThelma & Selma
AloneCaseworker
2004Being JuliaDolly de Vries
Ladies in LavenderDorcas
ModiglianiGertrude Stein
End of the LineBag LadyShort film
Chasing LibertyMaria
2006Flushed AwayRita's GrandmaVoice role
Happy FeetMrs. Astrakhan
2007The DukesAunt Vee
2008How To Lose Friends and Alienate PeopleMrs Kowalski
2009A Closed BookMrs. Kilbride
2010Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'HooleMrs PlithiverVoice role
2011Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2Professor Pomona Sprout
2012Sir BilliBaroness Chantal McToffVoice role
The Wedding VideoPatricia
The Guilt TripAnita
2014The Legend of LongwoodLady Thyrza
Maya the BeeThe QueenVoice role
2017The Little Vampire 3DWulftrud
The Man Who Invented ChristmasMrs. Fisk
2018Early ManQueen OofeefaVoice role
2019H Is for HappinessMiss Bamford
2020Miss Fisher and the Crypt of TearsPrudence Stanley
2023My Happy EndingJudy
Pored tebeVera
2025A Friend of DorothyDorothyShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1965Theatre 625RitaEpisode: "Enter Solly Gold"
1967CrossroadsMrs. Perkins3 episodes
ITV Play of the WeekHeidiEpisode: "The English Climate"
Boy Meets GirlMariaEpisode: "Flight of the Kingfisher"
1968Dixon of Dock GreenAnnaEpisode: "An Ordinary Man"
1969Thirty-Minute TheatreVoiceEpisode: "The Boat to Addis Ababa"
ITV PlayhouseKathieEpisode: "The Ha Ha"
1972A Place in the SunMaidEpisode: "Achilles Heel"
Jackanory PlayhouseThe WitchEpisode: "The Wily Wizard and the Wicked Witch"
1972–73Words and PicturesVarious Voices20 episodes
1973Doctor in ChargeDorisEpisode: "Men without Women"
1974World of LaughterVarious parts6 episodes
Fall of EaglesAnna VyrubovaEpisode: "Tell the King the Sky is Falling"
1975The Girls of Slender MeansJane Wright3 episodes
1976Christmas BoxMrs. KaplanTelevision film
AngelsJune Morris2 episodes
KizzyMrs. Doe2 episodes
The Glittering PrizesOlive WiseTV serial
The Water MarginVoiceEnglish dub of Japanese series
1976, 1982Crown CourtMarilyn Munro; Mrs. King2 episodes
1977Play for TodayVeronicaEpisode: "The Thin Edge of the Wedge"
SpasmsRose FinnTelevision film
1978MonkeyVoiceEnglish dub of Japanese series Saiyûki
52 episodes
1980The Lost TribeQueenieTV serial
Tales of the UnexpectedMary BurgeEpisode: "Fat Chance"
1981Take a Letter, Mr. JonesMaria6 episodes
A Kick Up the EightiesVarious roles3 episodes
The History ManMelissa Tordoroff3 episodes
1983The Black AdderInfanta Maria Escalosa of SpainEpisode: "The Queen of Spain's Beard"
1984FreudBaronessTV serial
1985Oliver TwistMrs. CorneyTV serial
Honour, Profit and PleasureElephant and CastleTelevision film
1986The Life and Loves of a She-DevilNurse Hopkins2 episodes
Blackadder IILady WhiteadderEpisode: "Beer"
A Little PrincessMiss Amelia6 episodes
Scotch and WryVariousTelevision film
1987*Poor Little Rich Girl:
The Barbara Hutton Story*Elsa MaxwellTelevision film
1988Blackadder's Christmas CarolQueen VictoriaTelevision Special
Mr MajeikaWilhelmina Worlock2 episodes
1989Murderers Among UsMrs. RajzmanTelevision film
1990Orpheus DescendingVee Talbot
The FindingPoll
Screen TwoNellieEpisode: "Old Flames"
1991Tonight at 8.30Mrs. Wadhurst2 episodes
1992StalinNadezhda KrupskayaTelevision film
Frannie's TurnFrannie Escobar6 episodes
1993The Comic Strip Presents...MotherEpisode: "Demonella"
1994Just WilliamMiss PolliterEpisode: "William's Busy Day"
MoonacreOld Elspeth6 episodes
1995Cold Comfort FarmMrs. BeetleTelevision film
1997The IMAX NutcrackerSugar PlumShort film
The Phoenix and the CarpetCookBBC TV serial
The Place of LionsMiss ColeTelevision film
1998Vanity FairMiss CrawleyTV serial
The First Snow of WinterSean McDuckVoice; UK version
Supply & DemandChief Superintendent Edna ColleyTV serial
1998, 2001RugratsShirley FinsterVoice; 3 episodes
2000Dharma & GregChloeEpisode: "Midwife Crisis"
2004Agatha Christie's MarpleMrs. Price-RidleyEpisode: The Murder at the Vicarage
The Life and Death of Peter SellersPeg SellersTelevision film, HBO
2005Wallis & EdwardBessie MerrymanTelevision film
InconceivableMalvaEpisode: "Balls in Your Court"
2006Jam & JerusalemMrs. MidgeSeason 2, Episode 6
2008KingdomHennyEpisode 2.04
2009The Sarah Jane AdventuresLeef Slitheen-BlathereenVoice; 2 episodes
2010Tinga Tinga TalesGiraffe and SquirrelVoice; Recurring Role
MerlinGrunhildaEpisode: "The Changeling"
2011Doc MartinShirleyEpisode: Born with a Shotgun
2012–15Miss Fisher's Murder MysteriesPrudence Elizabeth Stanley12 episodes
2013HebburnMillieChristmas special
2014Nina Needs to Go!Nana SheilaVoice; 15 episodes
TrolliedRoseSeries 4
2016PlebsIonaEpisode: "The Cupid"
2016–17Bottersnikes & GumblesWeathersnike3 episodes
2016–18RakeHuntley-Brown3 episodes
2017BucketMim4 episodes
Family GuyRight EyeballVoice; Episode: "Emmy-Winning Episode"
2018–21Call the MidwifeSister Mildred/Mother Mildred7 episodes
2019101 Dalmatian StreetBessieVoice; Episode: "A Summer to Remember"
2020The WindsorsQueen Victoriatitle=Roles – Televisionurl=https://miriammargolyes.com/roles/television/access-date=26 December 2025website=Miriam Margolyes}}
2021Apple & OnionQueen Victoria SpongeVoice; Episode: "For Queen and Country"
2022Dog SquadSylvieVoice; 3 episodes
2023Doctor WhoThe MeepVoice; "The Star Beast"
HildaAstridVoice; 4 episodes
Mog's ChristmasAuntVoice

Video games

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Denotes video games that have not yet been released
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YearTitleRole(s)Ref(s)
2021Wallace & Gromit: The Big Fix UpBERYL
2023Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway

Non-fiction television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005Dickens in AmericaHerself10 episodes
2016The Real Marigold HotelBBC TV documentary series
2018Miriam's Big American AdventureBBC TV documentary series
2019Miriam's Dead Good AdventureBBC TV documentary series
2020Miriam's Big Fat AdventureBBC TV documentary series
Miriam Margolyes: Almost AustralianABC TV documentary series
2021, 2022Miriam and Alan: Lost in ScotlandC4 TV documentary series
2022Miriam Margolyes: Up for GrabsAn Alan Yentob imagine... documentary for BBC TV
Miriam Margolyes Australia UnmaskedABC TV documentary series
Miriam's Dickensian ChristmasC4 TV documentary
2023Irish Road Trip with Miriam MargolyesSBS TV documentary series
2024Impossibly Australianlast=Dalgarnofirst=Paultitle=Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian: ABC announces return after health scarewebsite=ScreenHub Australiadate=12 March 2024url=https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/news/miriam-margolyes-impossibly-australian-abc-announces-return-after-health-scare-2636493/access-date=13 April 2024}}
Miriam Margolyes: A New Australian AdventureBBC TV documentary series
2025Miriam Margolyes Discovers New ZealandBBC TV documentary series

Notes

  • The Thief and the Cobbler (1993) – the voice of the Maiden from Mombasa (original version only; the character was not heard at all in the re-edited versions and another actor was never available in all the re-edited versions)
  • The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004) – Peg Sellers – note this film was shown in cinemas in the UK, Ireland, and Australia – it aired on cable television on the HBO network in the US.

Theatre

YearTitleRoleVenue
1970Fiddler on the RoofMatchmakerUK Tour
1972Threepenny OperaNellyPiccadilly Theatre, London
1974Canterbury TalesWife of BathBristol Old Vic
1975Kennedy's ChildrenPerformerArts Theatre, London
1976The White DevilZanche the MoorOld Vic Theatre, London
1978Cloud NinePerformerJoint Stock/Royal Court Tour
1979Flaming BodiesPsychiatristICA
198484 Charing Cross RoadHelen HanffColchester
1985–87Gertrude Stein and a CompanionGertrude SteinEdinburgh Festival
Hampstead Theatre
Australian Tour
1986Man Equals ManWidow BegbickAlmeida Theatre, London
1988Orpheus DescendingVee TalbotTheatre Royal Haymarket, London
1989–91Dickens' WomenPerformerEdinburgh Festival
Hampstead Theatre
Duke of York's Theatre, London
1993She Stoops to ConquerMrs. HardcastleQueen's Theatre, London
1995The Killing of Sister GeorgeJune BuckridgeAmbassadors Theatre, London
1999The Cherry OrchardMadame RanevskayaTheatre Royal, York
2001Romeo and JulietNurseAhmanson Theater, Los Angeles
The Vagina MonologuesPerformerArts Theatre, London
2003The Way of the WorldLady WishfortSydney Theatre Company
2004Blithe SpiritMadame ArcatiMelbourne Theatre Company
2006The Importance of Being EarnestMiss PrismAhmanson Theater, Los Angeles
Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York
WickedMadame MorribleApollo Victoria Theatre, London
2008George Gershwin Theater, New York
2009RealismPerformerMelbourne Theatre Company
EndgameNellDuchess Theatre, London
2010Me and My GirlThe DuchessCrucible Theatre, Sheffield
2011A Day in the Death of Joe EggGraceCitizens' Theatre, Glasgow
2012Dickens' WomenPerformerWorld Tour
2014Neighbourhood WatchAnaAdelaide State Theatre
I'll Eat You LastSue MengersMelbourne Theatre Company
2015The Importance of Being MiriamPerformerAustralian Tour
2017Madame RubinsteinHelena RubinsteinPark Theatre, London
2019The Lady in the VanMiss ShepherdMelbourne Theatre Company
Sydney & The Old GirlNell StockPark Theatre, London
2024White Rabbit Red RabbitPerformer@sohoplace, London
2025Margolyes and Dickens: More Best Bits Performerlast=Brooksfirst=Libbytitle='It's a brigade of old gits!' Miriam Margolyes, Andy Linden and the older performers storming Edinburghwebsite=the Guardiandate=2025-08-12url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2025/aug/12/edinburgh-festival-fringe-older-performers-miriam-margolyes-andy-lindenaccess-date=2025-08-21}}

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRefs
1989Los Angeles Drama Critics CircleSupporting ActressLittle Dorrit
1991Laurence Olivier AwardBest Actress in a MusicalDickens' Women
1993Sony Radio AwardBest Actress On RadioThe Queen and I
1994British Academy Film AwardBest Supporting ActressThe Age of Innocence
1997The Talkies Performer of the YearOliver Twist
2001Audiofile's Earphones AwardA Christmas Carol
2007Theatregoer's Choice AwardBest Supporting Actress in a MusicalWicked
2010Best Supporting Actress in a PlayEndgame
2018Audiofile's Earphones AwardBleak House

Margolyes was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2002 New Year Honours for Services to Drama.

Notes

References

References

  1. (28 June 2012). "20 Questions with… Miriam Margolyes".
  2. "BBC One – Matron, Medicine and Me, Series 1, Miriam Margolyes".
  3. Newnham College Register, 1871–1971: 1951–1970, Newnham College, Cambridge (Cambridge University Press), 1990, p. 130
  4. England & Wales Birth registration index record for Ruth Sandeman, mother's maiden surname Posner, April–June quarter 1905, West Derby registration district, Lancashire, vol. 8B, p. 450.
  5. Margolyes, Miriam. (2021). "This Much Is True". [[John Murray (publishing house).
  6. (22 June 2012). "Miriam Margolyes: I had no secrets from my mother".
  7. (3 February 2017). "Liverpool's giant caring heart praised as foster campaign gathers pace".
  8. (10 July 2024). "Miriam Margoyles enjoys a fond return to Newnham". Newnham College, University of Cambridge.
  9. [http://footlights.org/alumni.html Footlights Alumni] {{webarchive. link. (14 August 2011. Footlights.org. Retrieved 25 August 2011.)
  10. "Miriam Margolyes". [[Oxford High School, England.
  11. (9 April 2017). "Why do University Challenge contestants go viral?". BBC News.
  12. ''University Challenge The Story So Far – Documentary'', Granada for BBC, aired by BBC 27 December 27, 2008, 14:15
  13. (29 September 2017). "The Graham Norton Show: the 15 funniest guests". The Telegraph.
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  29. Tinoco, Armando. (17 March 2024). "Miriam Margolyes Doubles Down On 'Harry Potter' Adult Fans Stance: "It Was 25 Years Ago, Grow Up!"".
  30. (19 March 2024). "Miriam Margolyes is right – adult Harry Potter fans need more shame".
  31. "The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)".
  32. "Golden Globes 2005".
  33. Gans, Andrew. (4 January 2008). "Margolyes to Join Broadway's Wicked Jan. 22".
  34. [http://www.whatsonstage.com/interviews/theatre/london/E8831254499540/Brief+Encounter+With+%85+Miriam+Margolyes.html Brief Encounter With … Miriam Margolyes – Endgame at Duchess Theatre – London – Interviews] {{Webarchive. link. (16 December 2009 . Whatsonstage.com. Retrieved 11 June 2012.)
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  44. Kettle, Emilia. (10 September 2024). "Call the Midwife star quits BBC show as she's 'too busy'". The York Press.
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  49. (20 February 2023). "The Museum of Curiosity – Series 17 – Episode 1". BBC Sounds.
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  51. (14 September 2023). "Miriam Margolyes Joins Doctor Who".
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  55. [http://www.propertyobserver.com.au/forward-planning/advice-and-hot-topics/title-tattle/40074-andrew-denton-and-jennifer-byrne-buy-southern-highlands-retreat.html ''Property Observer'', "Andrew Denton and Jennifer Byrne blaze a trail to Southern Highlands retreat"] {{Webarchive. link. (5 January 2016 . Retrieved 7 December 2015)
  56. [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/miriam-margolyes-the-ultimate-character-actress-for-dickens/story-fn9n8gph-1226259392240 Sharon Verghis, "Miriam Margolyes: The ultimate character actress for Dickens"], ''The Australian'', 4 February 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
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  59. Lyell, Carrie (9 February 2016). [http://www.divamag.co.uk/category/lifestyle/miriam-margolyes-mother-utterly-appalled-when-i-came-out.aspx "Miriam Margolyes: My Mother Was Utterly Appalled When I Came Out"] {{webarchive. link. (3 August 2016 , ''Diva Magazine''. UK. Retrieved 5 August 2016.)
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  62. McLoughlin, Lisa. (31 July 2024). "Miriam Margolyes says she's registered disabled and struggles to walk". Evening Standard.
  63. (26 November 2018). "It's been a struggle to remain being 'me' – Miriam Margolyes".
  64. Lewis, Isobel. (19 October 2023). "Miriam Margolyes now has part of a cow's heart as she opens up about health after surgery". The Independent.
  65. "Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for aortic stenosis". Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
  66. Phillips, Jess. (12 July 2025). "Miriam Margolyes on claims she's 'at death's door' after saying 'I haven't got long left'". Express.co.uk.
  67. Leeson, Lucy. (12 July 2025). "Miriam Margolyes hits out at reports she is at 'death's door'". The Independent.
  68. Chudy, Emily. (2025-07-14). "Miriam Margolyes addresses 'death's door' rumours in Edinburgh Fringe TikTok".
  69. Etienne, Vanessa. (26 August 2025). "Harry Potter Star Miriam Margolyes Talks Assisted Dying, Asks to Be 'Put Down' If Her Health Continues to Decline". People.
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  73. Wiegand, Chris. (9 February 2021). "'How many husbands have I had? Not enough!' Vanessa Redgrave meets Miriam Margolyes". [[The Guardian]].
  74. Dysch, Marcus. (18 August 2015). "Anti-Israel activists attack JC for challenging Jeremy Corbyn". [[The Jewish Chronicle]].
  75. Siobhan, McNally. (14 November 2019). "Call The Midwife star Miriam Margolyes backs Labour to help save the NHS". [[Daily Mirror]].
  76. Thorpe, Vanessa. (24 November 2019). "Celebrities turn out to support Labour's vision for the arts". [[The Guardian]].
  77. Neale, Matthew. (16 November 2019). "Exclusive: New letter supporting Jeremy Corbyn signed by Roger Waters, Robert Del Naja and more". [[NME]].
  78. Mitchell, David. (14 June 2020). "Miriam Margolyes has been cleared. Her 'crime'? Telling the truth". [[The Guardian]].
  79. ABC iview. (2020-05-25). "Miriam Margolyes Meets The Sistergirls Of The Tiwi Islands {{!}} Miriam Margolyes: Almost Australian".
  80. (19 April 2022). "Miriam Margolyes says anger at JK Rowling over trans views is 'misplaced'".
  81. Murray, Tom. (5 November 2023). "'That's right': Miriam Margolyes says trans actor changed her mind about pronouns". [[The Independent]].
  82. (15 October 2022). "Miriam Margolyes swears live on air about chancellor Jeremy Hunt".
  83. (15 October 2022). "Miriam Margolyes says 'f— you, b——d' live on air in attack on Jeremy Hunt".
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  87. Leeson, Lucy. (8 April 2024). "Miriam Margolyes says 'Hitler has won' as she condemns Israel-Gaza war".
  88. Shoard, Catherine. (9 April 2024). "Miriam Margolyes condemns Israel's policy in Gaza, calling on Jews to 'shout, beg, scream for a ceasefire'". [[The Guardian]].
  89. Burnett, Edward. (29 July 2025). "Harry Potter's Miriam Margolyes 'should be stripped of OBE'". [[Oxford Mail]].
  90. (1 August 2025). "Support for Miriam Margolyes as pro-Israel group tries to cancel her".
  91. (5 August 2025). "Oxford's Miriam Margolyes: 'I'm not anti-Jewish, I'm anti-killing children'".
  92. (2011). "Dickens' Women". Hesperus Press.
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  94. Margolyes, Miriam. (14 September 2023). "Oh Miriam!: Stories from an Extraordinary Life". John Murray Press.
  95. Margolyes, Miriam. (11 September 2025). "The Little Book of Miriam". John Murray Press.
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  103. (2021). "Wallace & Gromit: The Big Fix Up - Credits".
  104. Bell, Joseph. (10 January 2024). "Behind the Craft: Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway".
  105. "Miriam Margolyes & Alan Cumming return to Channel 4 to get Lost in Scotland and Beyond | Channel 4".
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  107. (25 April 2022). "Modern-day celebrities could learn a thing or two from outrageous octogenarian Miriam Margolyes". The Telegraph.
  108. "BBC One – imagine..., 2022, Miriam Margolyes: Up for Grabs".
  109. "Two of Australia's favourite factual offerings are set to return to the ABC in 2022".
  110. "Miriam's Dickensian Christmas".
  111. "Irish Road Trip With Miriam Margolyes".
  112. Dalgarno, Paul. (12 March 2024). "Miriam Margolyes Impossibly Australian: ABC announces return after health scare".
  113. (23 July 2024). "Miriam Margolyes on A New Australian Adventure - "Everything that's happened to me has happened because I walked towards life rather than away from it"".
  114. "Miriam Margolyes Discovers New Zealand".
  115. (6 October 2024). "White Rabbit Red Rabbit review – a game Michael Sheen hops to it". The Guardian.
  116. Brooks, Libby. (2025-08-12). "'It's a brigade of old gits!' Miriam Margolyes, Andy Linden and the older performers storming Edinburgh".
  117. Field, Scottish. (2025-08-19). "Edinburgh Fringe Reviews: Miriam Margolyes, Patrick Monahan & Lorna Rose Treen".
  118. (31 December 2001). "Honours in the arts world". BBC News.
  119. Goodman, Joan. (12 October 1993). "Miriam Margolyse Bubbles On and Off 'Innocence' Set : Movie: As the formidable dowager Mrs. Manson Mingott, the British actress brings verve and audacity to Martin Scorsese's film.". Los Angeles Times.
  120. "The Queen And I on BBC Radio Four Extra". BBC Media Centre.
  121. "Film {{!}} Actress in a Supporting Role in 1994". BAFTA.
  122. (11 May 2012). "Miriam Margoyles comes to The Brewhouse". [[Somerset County Gazette]].
  123. (2000). "A Christmas Carol: Earphones Award Winner". [[AudioFile (magazine).
  124. (12 February 2007). "Theatregoers Name Wicked 'Best New Musical'".
  125. (15 February 2010). "WOS Awards: Full Winners' Acceptance Speeches".
  126. (June 2018). "Bleak House: Earphones Award Winner". AudioFile.
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