Geraldine James (born 6 July 1950) is an English actress. She has worked extensively on television, on stage and in film. She is known for her role as Marilla Cuthbert in the

Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...

series ''

Anne with an E ''Anne with an E'' (initially titled ''Anne'' for its first season within Canada) is a Canadian period drama television series loosely adapted from Lucy Maud Montgomery's 1908 classic work of children's literature, '' Anne of Green Gables''. It ...

'' (2017–2019) and as Queen Mary in the 2019 film ''

Downton Abbey ''Downton Abbey'' is a British historical drama television series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. It first aired in the United Kingdom on ITV (TV network), ITV on 26 September 2010 and in the United St ...

''.

Early life and education

Geraldine James was born in

Maidenhead Maidenhead is a market town in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in the county of Berkshire, England. It lies on the southwestern bank of the River Thames, which at this point forms the border with Buckinghamshire. In the 2021 Census, ...

Berkshire Berkshire ( ; abbreviated ), officially the Royal County of Berkshire, is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Oxfordshire to the north, Buckinghamshire to the north-east, Greater London ...

, on 6 July 1950. Her father was a cardiologist. Her parents divorced. She failed her 11 plus exam, and was educated at Downe House School in Newbury, Berkshire, where she was known as Gerry Thomas. Embarrassed by her simple surname, James used the grander-sounding

double-barrelled name A double-barrelled name is a type of compound surname, typically featuring two words (occasionally more), often joined by a hyphen. Notable people with double-barrelled names include Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Beyonc ...

of Vaughan-Thomas while at school. She studied drama at the

Drama Centre London Drama Centre London (often abbreviated as Drama Centre) was a British drama school in Kings Cross, London, King's Cross, London, where it moved in 2011 after a major reshaping of the University of the Arts London. It was part of Central Saint ...

Career

After graduating from the Drama Centre, James spent three years in repertory theatre and school theatre. Her film credits include ''

Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2October 186930January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British ...

'' (1982), '' The Tall Guy'' (1989), ''

Sherlock Holmes Sherlock Holmes () is a Detective fiction, fictional detective created by British author Arthur Conan Doyle. Referring to himself as a "Private investigator, consulting detective" in his stories, Holmes is known for his proficiency with obser ...

'' (2009), ''

Alice in Wonderland ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (also known as ''Alice in Wonderland'') is an 1865 English Children's literature, children's novel by Lewis Carroll, a mathematics university don, don at the University of Oxford. It details the story of a ...

'' (2010), ''

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'' (original title in ) is a psychological thriller novel by Swedish author Stieg Larsson. It was published posthumously in 2005, translated into English in 2008, and became an international bestseller. ''T ...

'' (2011), '' Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'' (2011), and '' 45 Years'' (2015). From 2017 to 2019, she starred in the

series ''

'' as Marilla Cuthbert, and in the 2019 film ''

'' as Queen Mary. In 2020 James voiced the spoken words on the track "All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World" ("Vista", "Ad Astra") on the album '' Human. :II: Nature.'' by Finnish symphonic metal band

Nightwish Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Neval ...

Awards and recognition

James was appointed

Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

(OBE) in 2004. Theatre director Peter Hall said that James ranks amongst the great English classical actresses.

Personal life

James is married to actor and director Joseph Blatchley. They have a daughter.

Selected stage roles

*Portia, opposite

Dustin Hoffman Dustin Lee Hoffman (born August 8, 1937) is an American actor. As one of the key actors in the formation of New Hollywood, Hoffman is known for Dustin Hoffman filmography, his versatile portrayals of antiheroes and emotionally vulnerable charac ...

in the London and Broadway productions of ''The Merchant of Venice'' by

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 23 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

*'' Hedda Gabler'' at the Royal Exchange, Manchester in 1993 * Rosalind, in ''

As You Like It ''As You Like It'' is a pastoral Shakespearean comedy, comedy by William Shakespeare believed to have been written in 1599 and first published in the First Folio in 1623. The play's first performance is uncertain, though a performance at Wil ...

'', at the RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon, in 2023

Radio

Filmography

Film

*''The Dumb Waiter'' (1979) as Sally *'' Bloody Kids'' (1980) as Ritchie's wife *'' Sweet William'' (1980) as Pamela *''

'' (1982) as Mirabehn *''Freedom Fighter'' (1988) as Krista Donner *'' The Tall Guy'' (1989) as Carmen *'' The Wolves of Willoughby Chase'' (1989) as Mrs. Gertrude Brisket *'' Prince of Shadows'' (1991) as Rebecca Osorio *'' If Looks Could Kill – Teen Agent'', (1991) as Vendetta Galante *'' The Bridge'' (1992) as Mrs Todd *'' Words Upon the Window Pane'' (1994) as Mrs. Henderson *''

Moll Flanders ''Moll Flanders'' is a novel by Daniel Defoe, first published in 1722. It purports to be the true account of the life of the eponymous Moll, detailing her exploits from birth until old age. By 1721, Defoe had become a recognised novelist, wit ...

'' (1996) as Edna *'' The Man Who Knew Too Little'' (1997) as Dr. Ludmilla Kropotkin *'' The Luzhin Defence'' (2000) as Vera *''Lover's Prayer'' (2001) as Mother *'' Tom & Thomas'' (2002) as Miss Tromp *''An Angel for May'' (2002) *'' Calendar Girls'' (2003) as Marie *''

Northanger Abbey ''Northanger Abbey'' ( ) is a coming-of-age novel and a satire of Gothic fiction, Gothic novels written by the English author Jane Austen. Although the title page is dated 1818 and the novel was published posthumously in 1817 with ''Persuasio ...

'' (2007) as the narrator *''

'' (2009) as Mrs Hudson *''

'' (2010) as Lady Ascot *''

Made in Dagenham ''Made in Dagenham'' is a 2010 British comedy-drama film directed by Nigel Cole, written by William Ivory, and starring Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson, Geraldine James, Rosamund Pike, Andrea Riseborough, Jaime Winstone, ...

'' (2010) as Connie *''

'' (2011) as Cecilia Vanger *''

Arthur Arthur is a masculine given name of uncertain etymology. Its popularity derives from it being the name of the legendary hero King Arthur. A common spelling variant used in many Slavic, Romance, and Germanic languages is Artur. In Spanish and Ital ...

'' (2011) as Vivienne Bach *'' Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'' (2011) as Mrs Hudson *'' 45 Years'' (2015) as Lena *'' Alice Through the Looking Glass'' (2016) as Lady Ascot *'' Rogue One'' (2016) as Jaldine Gerams (Blue 3) *''

Daphne Daphne (; ; , , ), a figure in Greek mythology, is a naiad, a variety of female nymph associated with fountains, wells, springs, streams, brooks and other bodies of freshwater. There are several versions of the myth in which she appears, but t ...

'' (2017) *''

'' (2017) as Marilla Cuthbert *'' Megan Leavey '' (2017) as The Veterinarian *'' Beast'' (2017) *''

'' (2019) as

Mary of Teck Mary of Teck (Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes; 26 May 186724 March 1953) was List of British royal consorts, Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, from 6 May 1910 until 20 Janua ...

* ''

Benediction A benediction (, 'well' + , 'to speak') is a short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of worship service. It can also refer to a specific Christian religious service including the exposition of the eucharisti ...

'' (2021)

Television

*'' The Sweeney: Pay Off'' (1976) as Shirley Glass *''Dummy'' (1977) as Sandra X *''Shoestring'' (1979) Nine tenths of the law. *'' The History Man'' (1981) as Barbara Kirk *'' I Remember Nelson'' (1982) as Emma Hamilton *'' The Jewel in the Crown'' (1984) as Sarah Layton *'' Blott on the Landscape'' (1985) as Lady Maud Lynchwood * ''Echoes'' (1988) as Angela O'Hara *''

Inspector Morse Endeavour Morse, GM, is the namesake character of the series of "Morse" detective novels by British author Colin Dexter, a Detective Chief Inspector in the Thames Valley Police in Oxford, England. On television he was portrayed by John ...

: Who Killed Harry Field'' (1991) as Helen Field *''

A Doll's House ''A Doll's House'' (Danish language, Danish and ; also translated as ''A Doll House'') is a three-act Play (theatre), play written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. It premiered at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 21 De ...

'' (1992) as Kristine Linde *'' Band of Gold'' (1995–1997) as Rose Garrety *'' Kavanagh QC'' (1995–1999) as Eleanor Harker QC *''

Rebecca Rebecca () appears in the Hebrew Bible as the wife of Isaac and the mother of Jacob and Esau. According to biblical tradition, Rebecca's father was Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram, also called Aram-Naharaim. Rebecca's brother was Laban (Bi ...

'' (1997) as Beatrice *'' Little Britain'' as Mother of Harvey Pincher (cameo) *'' The Sins'' (2000) as Gloria Green *'' State of Play'' (2003) as Yvonne Shaps *'' Hex'' (2004) as Lilith Hughes *'' He Knew He Was Right'' (2004) as Lady Rowley *''

Agatha Christie's Poirot ''Agatha Christie's Poirot'', or simply ''Poirot'' (), is a British mystery drama television programme that aired on ITV from 8 January 1989 to 13 November 2020. The ITV show is based on many of Agatha Christie's famous crime fiction series, wh ...

– After the Funeral'', (2005) as Helen Abernethie *'' The Amazing Mrs Pritchard'' (2006) as Hilary Rees-Benson *''

A Harlot's Progress ''A Harlot's Progress'' (also known as ''The Harlot's Progress'') is a series of six paintings (1731, now destroyed) and engravings (1732) by the English artist William Hogarth. The series shows the story of a young woman, M. (Moll or Mary) Hac ...

'' (2006) *'' Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire'' (2006) as Cornelia *'' The Last Enemy'' (2008) as Barbara Turney *'' Heist'' (2008) as Joanna *''

Midsomer Murders ''Midsomer Murders'' is a British Mystery fiction, mystery television series, adapted by Anthony Horowitz and Douglas Watkinson from the novels in the ''Chief Inspector Barnaby'' book series created by Caroline Graham (writer), Caroline Graham. ...

'' (2010) Series 13, episode 8, "Fit for Murder" as Miranda Bedford *'' Thirteen Steps Down'' (2012) as Gwendolyn *''

Utopia A utopia ( ) typically describes an imagined community or society that possesses highly desirable or near-perfect qualities for its members. It was coined by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book ''Utopia (book), Utopia'', which describes a fictiona ...

'' (2013) as Milner *'' Black Work'' (2015) as Chief Constable Carolyn Jarecki *'' The Five'' (2016) as Julia Wells *''

'' (2017–2019) as Marilla Cuthbert (adaptation of ''

Anne of Green Gables ''Anne of Green Gables'' is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery (published as L. M. Montgomery). Written for all ages, it has been considered a classic children's novel since the mid-20th century. Set in the late 19th century, t ...

'') *'' Back to Life'' (2019-2021) as Caroline Matteson *'' The Beast Must Die'' (2021) as Joy *''

Silo A silo () is a structure for storing Bulk material handling, bulk materials. Silos are commonly used for bulk storage of grain, coal, cement, carbon black, woodchips, food products and sawdust. Three types of silos are in widespread use toda ...

'' (2023) as Mayor Ruth Jahns *'' This Town'' (2024) as Marie *'' Dope Girls'' ()

References

External links

* * *
"The Jewel That is James"
– Interview by Jeremy Taylor for bmi Voyager October 2007
Q&A with Geraldine James in the ''Guardian''
{{DEFAULTSORT:James, Geraldine 1950 births Living people 20th-century English actresses 21st-century English actresses Actresses from Berkshire Actors from Maidenhead Alumni of the Drama Centre London Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Canadian Screen Award winners Drama Desk Award winners English film actresses English radio actresses English stage actresses English television actresses Officers of the Order of the British Empire People educated at Downe House School Volpi Cup for Best Actress winners