Geraldine James

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Geraldine James bigraphy, stories - Actress

Geraldine James : biography

6 July 1950 –

Geraldine James, OBE (born 6 July 1950) is an English actress. She tied with Peggy Ashcroft for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival for She’s Been Away (1989) and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Lead Actress for her Portia in The Merchant of Venice (1990). James has recently played supporting roles in a number of films including Alice in Wonderland, Sherlock Holmes and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. She also has been nominated for four Bafta Awards for her television work.

Film appearances

  • Gandhi (1982) as Mirabehn
  • The Tall Guy (1989) as Carmen
  • Prince of Shadows (1991)
  • 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
  • An Angel for May (2002)
  • Calendar Girls (2003) as Marie
  • Sherlock Holmes (2009) as Mrs Hudson
  • Alice in Wonderland (2010) as Lady Ascot
  • Made in Dagenham (2010) as Connie
  • The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) as Cecilia Vanger
  • Arthur (2011) as Vivienne Bach
  • Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) as Mrs Hudson

Theatre appearances

  • Portia opposite Dustin Hoffman in the London and Broadway productions of The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare.

Early life and family

James was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire, to a cardiologist father. She was educated at Downe House, a girls’ independent school in Newbury, Berkshire, and at the Drama Centre London.

Radio appearances

Date Title Role Director Station
format=dmy|2000-02-21}} – The Hours Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Drama
format=dmy|2003-03-21}} Baldi: The Book Case Maggie Mark Lambert BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play
format=dmy|2003-04-19}} Turtle Diary Neaera Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4 Saturday Play

Television appearances

  • Shirley Glass in The Sweeney: Pay Off (1976) – TV debut
  • Barbara Kirk in The History Man. (1980)
  • Emma Hamilton in I Remember Nelson. (1981)
  • Sarah Layton in The Jewel in the Crown (1984)
  • Lady Maud Lynchwood in Blott on the Landscape (1985)
  • Rose Garrety in Band of Gold (1995-1997)
  • Eleanor Harker QC in Kavanagh QC (1995-1999)
  • Beatrice in Rebecca (1997)
  • Supporting actress in Moll Flanders
  • Has a cameo role in Little Britain as the mother of Harvey Pincher
  • Recurring role as Lillith Hughes in Hex (2004).
  • Agatha Christie’s Poirot – After the Funeral, (2005) as Helen Abernethie
  • Hilary Rees-Benson: Former Liberal Democrat turned "Purple Alliance" Home Secretary in The Amazing Mrs Pritchard.
  • Helen Field in Inspector Morse: Who Killed Harry Field
  • A Harlot’s Progress (2006)
  • Barbara Turney in The Last Enemy
  • Joanna the Concubine in Heist
  • Yvonne Shaps in State of Play (TV serial)
  • Gwendolen in the 2012 ITV adaptation of the Ruth Rendell thriller Thirteen Steps Down.
  • Milner: An MI5 spy in Utopia Channel 4 (2013 drama).

Awards

  • Best actress at the Venice Biennale for her work in the film She’s Been Away.