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Celia Imrie

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Celia Imrie

Celia Diana Savile Imrie CBE (born 15 July 1952) is a British actress. She is best known for her film roles, including the Bridget Jones film series (2001, 2004, 2016, 2025), Calendar Girls (2005), Nanny McPhee (2005), St Trinian's (2007), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011), The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015), A Cure for Wellness (2016), Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018), and The Thursday Murder Club (2025). She appeared in the FX series Better Things (2016–2022) and the Netflix series The Diplomat (2023–present). Imrie is also known for her frequent collaborations with actress and comedian Victoria Wood. In 2006, she won an Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical in Acorn Antiques:The Musical!. Imrie was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to drama.

Infobox

Born
Cecilia Diana Savile Imrie (1952-07-15) 15 July 1952 (age 73)Guildford, Surrey, England
Education
Guildford High School; Guildford School of Acting
Occupation
Actress
Years active
1973–present
Partner
Benjamin Whitrow
Children
Angus Imrie

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1973
Role(s)
Stacy's Secretary
1978
Role(s)
Maid
Notes
Uncredited
1983
Role(s)
Servant at Inn
1986
Role(s)
Kate
1992
Blue Black Permanent
Role(s)
Barbara Thorburn
1994
Role(s)
Mrs. Moritz
1995
Role(s)
Fadge
1997
Role(s)
Homily Clock
1998
Role(s)
Iris Du Pré
Hiccup
Role(s)
Judy
Notes
Short
1999
Role(s)
Fighter Pilot Bravo 5
2001
Role(s)
Una Alconbury
Role(s)
Amy Chamberlain
Revelation
Role(s)
Harriet Martel
2002
Role(s)
Miss Rapier
Role(s)
Sonja
2003
Role(s)
Celia
Role(s)
Dr Imogen Reed
2004
Role(s)
Lydice Kenwood
Role(s)
Una Alconbury
2005
Role(s)
Lady Riva Hardwick
Role(s)
Tessa
Role(s)
Mrs Quickly
2007
Role(s)
Matron
2010
Role(s)
Enid Wicklow
Role(s)
Mother
Notes
Short
2011
Role(s)
Madge Hardcastle
Role(s)
The Librarian
2012
Acts of Godfrey
Role(s)
Helen McGann
2013
Role(s)
Pen
2014
Role(s)
Agnes Chisolm
2016
Role(s)
Erikson
Role(s)
Claudia Bing
Role(s)
Una Alconbury
2017
Role(s)
Victoria Watkins
Role(s)
Cheyenne
Notes
Voice role
Role(s)
Bif
2018
Role(s)
Mrs Green
Role(s)
Vice Chancellor
2020
Role(s)
Mimi
2022
Fifty-Four Days
Role(s)
Gloria
Notes
Short
2023
Role(s)
Gina Valentine
Role(s)
Imelda
2025
Role(s)
Una Alconbury
Role(s)
Joyce Meadowcroft
TBA
Role(s)
Merry Christmas Aubrey Flint
Notes
TBA
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1973
Assassin
Stacy's Secretary
1974
House of Whipcord
Barbara
1978
Death on the Nile
Maid
Uncredited
1983
The Wicked Lady
Servant at Inn
1986
Highlander
Kate
1992
Blue Black Permanent
Barbara Thorburn
1994
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
Mrs. Moritz
1995
In the Bleak Midwinter
Fadge
1997
The Borrowers
Homily Clock
1998
Hilary and Jackie
Iris Du Pré
1998
Hiccup
Judy
Short
1999
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
Fighter Pilot Bravo 5
2001
Bridget Jones's Diary
Una Alconbury
2001
Lucky Break
Amy Chamberlain
2001
Revelation
Harriet Martel
2002
Thunderpants
Miss Rapier
2002
Heartlands
Sonja
2003
Calendar Girls
Celia
2003
Out of Bounds
Dr Imogen Reed
2004
Wimbledon
Lydice Kenwood
2004
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
Una Alconbury
2005
Wah-Wah
Lady Riva Hardwick
2005
Imagine Me & You
Tessa
2005
Nanny McPhee
Mrs Quickly
2007
St Trinian's
Matron
2009
St Trinian's 2: The Legend of Fritton's Gold
Matron
2010
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger
Enid Wicklow
2010
The Man Who Married Himself
Mother
Short
2011
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Madge Hardcastle
2011
My Angel
The Librarian
2012
Acts of Godfrey
Helen McGann
2013
The Love Punch
Pen
2014
What We Did on Our Holiday
Agnes Chisolm
2014
Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?
Clara Keen
2015
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Madge Hardcastle
2015
Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism
Edna the Cook
2016
Year by the Sea
Erikson
2016
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie
Claudia Bing
2016
Bridget Jones's Baby
Una Alconbury
2017
A Cure for Wellness
Victoria Watkins
2017
Monster Family
Cheyenne
Voice role
2017
Finding Your Feet
Bif
2018
Malevolent
Mrs Green
2018
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
Vice Chancellor
2018
Nativity Rocks! This Ain’t No Silent Night
Mrs. Keen
2020
Love Sarah
Mimi
2022
Fifty-Four Days
Gloria
Short
2023
Love Again
Gina Valentine
2023
Good Grief
Imelda
· Filmography › Television
1974
Role(s)
Jenny
Notes
"If You Were the Only Girl in the World", "Missing Believed Killed"
1979
Role(s)
Polly
Notes
"A Touch of Class"
1980
Role(s)
Sheila Johnson
Notes
"The Dangerous Game"
Role(s)
Surgery Receptionist
Notes
"Vive Le Sport"
1981
Role(s)
Fiona Patterson
81 Take 2
Notes
TV film
1982
Cloud Howe
Role(s)
Else Queen
1983
Role(s)
Marianne Bellshade
1985–1987
Role(s)
Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV
Notes
Various characters
1988
Role(s)
Helen Lomax
Notes
"Root of Evil"
1988–1989
Role(s)
The New Statesman
Notes
Hilary
1989
Murder by Moonlight
Role(s)
Patsy Diehl
Notes
TV film
Role(s)
Carol
Notes
"We'd Quite Like to Apologise"
Victoria Wood
Role(s)
Jackie
Notes
"Val De Ree (Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha)"
Victoria Wood
Role(s)
Julia / Spoof TV Ad actress
Notes
"Staying In"
1990
Role(s)
Miss Jewsbury
The World of Eddie Weary
Role(s)
Birdie
Notes
TV film
Old Flames
Role(s)
Davina Wright / Hopjoy
Role(s)
Mme Massis
1991
Role(s)
Lady Felicity Carey-Holden
Notes
"The Italian Venus"
Role(s)
Corinne Perigo
Notes
"When the Green Woods Laugh (Parts 1 & 2)"
Role(s)
Rachel Bromley
Role(s)
Julie Vernon
Notes
"The Food of Love"
1992
Role(s)
Various characters
Role(s)
Marijke Dekker
Notes
"Still Waters"
1993
Role(s)
Mrs Botney
Notes
"Red Card"
Role(s)
Joanna Tundish
A Question of Guilt
Role(s)
Sissy Malton
Notes
TV film
1994
A Dark Adapted Eye
Role(s)
Vera Hillyard
Notes
TV film
Role(s)
Claire
The Return of the Native
Role(s)
Susan Nunsuch
Notes
TV film
1995–2001
Role(s)
Absolutely Fabulous
Notes
Claudia Bing
1995
Role(s)
Elizabeth Clayton
Notes
"Learning Curve"
1995–1996
Role(s)
Blackhearts in Battersea
Notes
Duchess of Battersea
1996
The Writing on the Wall
Role(s)
Kirsty
Notes
TV film
1997
Hospital!
Role(s)
Sister Muriel
Notes
TV film
Role(s)
June Bonney
Into the Blue
Role(s)
Nadine Cunningham
Role(s)
Lucy Otis
Notes
TV film
Mr. White Goes to Westminster
Role(s)
Victoria Madison
Notes
TV film
1998
Role(s)
Mrs Calloway
Notes
"River Rage"
1998–2000
Role(s)
dinnerladies
Notes
Philippa Moorcroft
1999
Wetty Hainthropp Investigates
Role(s)
Nightclub owner
Notes
TV Short
Role(s)
Surgeon Sally
Notes
Voice role
Role(s)
Mrs Bennett
Notes
TV film
2000
Role(s)
Lady Gertrude
Role(s)
Christina Chance
Notes
"Above the Law"
Role(s)
Various characters
2001
Role(s)
Aunt Sadie
Role(s)
Ruth Proudhon
Notes
"Inventions Now"
Role(s)
Miss Frazier
Notes
TV film
Role(s)
Louise August
Notes
"Dark Autumn"
Role(s)
Professor McKern
Notes
"Revenge of the Bog People"
2002
Role(s)
Sylvia Langley
Notes
"The Shoot"
Role(s)
Violet Pearman
Notes
TV film
Role(s)
Kate Lawton
Role(s)
Rose Henderson
Notes
TV film
Role(s)
Mrs Meyrick
Role(s)
Anna Gromyko
2003
The Planman
Role(s)
Gail Forrester
Notes
TV film
Role(s)
Mrs Begg
Notes
"Wummin'"
2004
Role(s)
Thelma Bailey
Notes
"Gorgons Wood"
Role(s)
Susan Brading
Notes
"Going Bodmin"
Role(s)
Madame Joilet
Notes
"4.50 From Paddington"
2005
Role(s)
Miss Davies
Notes
TV film
2006
Role(s)
'Aunt' Kathy Cloade
Notes
"Taken at the Flood"
Role(s)
Mary Wilson
Notes
TV film
Role(s)
Gaynor Whiteside
Notes
"Walk of Faith"
2007–2008
Role(s)
After You've Gone
Notes
Diana
2007–2009
Role(s)
Kingdom
Notes
Gloria Millington
2009
Role(s)
Lady Glenmire
Notes
"Christmas Special"
2010
Role(s)
Doris Speed
Notes
TV film
2011
Role(s)
Miss Christmasham
Notes
1 episode
2012
Hacks
Role(s)
Tabby
Notes
TV film
Role(s)
Grace Rushton
Notes
4 episodes
Role(s)
Michelle Marber
Notes
"The Soul of Genius"
2013
Role(s)
Miss Kizlet
Notes
"The Bells of Saint John"
Role(s)
Rowan Holdaway
Notes
6 episodes
2014
Role(s)
Charlotte
Notes
1 episode
Role(s)
Lady Daphne Goodwin
Notes
1 episode
2015
Role(s)
Lillian Haverfield-Wickham
Notes
1 episode
2016
Role(s)
Mary Xavier
Notes
1 episode
2016–2022
Role(s)
Better Things
Notes
Phyllis "Phil" Darby
2018
Role(s)
Kettle
Notes
2 episodes
Role(s)
Maggie Pitt
Notes
4 episodes
2020
Role(s)
Rose Fairchild
Notes
Series 3; Main role
2023–present
Role(s)
The Diplomat
Notes
Margaret "Meg" Roylin
2024
Role(s)
Edith Nesbit
Notes
Episode 18: "Woman of Stone"
2025
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Contestant; 7th Place series one
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1974
Upstairs, Downstairs
Jenny
"If You Were the Only Girl in the World", "Missing Believed Killed"
1979
To the Manor Born
Polly
"A Touch of Class"
1980
Shoestring
Sheila Johnson
"The Dangerous Game"
1980
To the Manor Born
Surgery Receptionist
"Vive Le Sport"
1981
The Nightmare Man
Fiona Patterson
1981
81 Take 2
TV film
1982
Cloud Howe
Else Queen
1983
Bergerac
Marianne Bellshade
1985–1987
Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV
Various characters
1988
Taggart
Helen Lomax
"Root of Evil"
1988–1989
The New Statesman
Hilary
"Alan B'Stard Closes Down the BBC", "May the Best Man Win"
1989
Murder by Moonlight
Patsy Diehl
TV film
1989
Victoria Wood
Carol
"We'd Quite Like to Apologise"
1989
Victoria Wood
Jackie
"Val De Ree (Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha)"
1989
Victoria Wood
Julia / Spoof TV Ad actress
"Staying In"
1990
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit
Miss Jewsbury
1990
The World of Eddie Weary
Birdie
TV film
1990
Old Flames
Davina Wright / Hopjoy
1990
102 Boulevard Haussmann
Mme Massis
1991
Lovejoy
Lady Felicity Carey-Holden
"The Italian Venus"
1991
The Darling Buds of May
Corinne Perigo
"When the Green Woods Laugh (Parts 1 & 2)"
1991
All Good Things
Rachel Bromley
1991
Stay Lucky
Julie Vernon
"The Food of Love"
1992
Victoria Wood's All Day Breakfast
Various characters
1992
Van der Valk
Marijke Dekker
"Still Waters"
1993
Bonjour la Classe
Mrs Botney
"Red Card"
1993
The Riff Raff Element
Joanna Tundish
1993
A Question of Guilt
Sissy Malton
TV film
1994
A Dark Adapted Eye
Vera Hillyard
TV film
1994
Pat and Margaret
Claire
1994
The Return of the Native
Susan Nunsuch
TV film
1995–2001
Absolutely Fabulous
Claudia Bing
"Jealous", "Menopause"
1995
Casualty
Elizabeth Clayton
"Learning Curve"
1995–1996
Blackhearts in Battersea
Duchess of Battersea
1996
The Writing on the Wall
Kirsty
TV film
1997
Hospital!
Sister Muriel
TV film
1997
Wokenwell
June Bonney
1997
Into the Blue
Nadine Cunningham
1997
The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling
Mrs Miller
1997
The Canterville Ghost
Lucy Otis
TV film
1997
Mr. White Goes to Westminster
Victoria Madison
TV film
1998
Duck Patrol
Mrs Calloway
"River Rage"
1998–2000
dinnerladies
Philippa Moorcroft
1999
Wetty Hainthropp Investigates
Nightclub owner
TV Short
1999
Hilltop Hospital
Surgeon Sally
Voice role
1999
A Christmas Carol
Mrs Bennett
TV film
2000
Gormenghast
Lady Gertrude
2000
Dalziel and Pascoe
Christina Chance
"Above the Law"
2000
Victoria Wood With All The Trimmings
Various characters

References

  1. "Celia Imrie has no interest in marriage"
    https://nz.news.yahoo.com/celia-imrie-no-interest-marriage-194103542.html
  2. British Film Institute
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170529082840/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba29e95e6
  3. The Scotsman
    http://www.scotsman.com/news/interview_celia_imrie_actress_1_1587254
  4. "Star Profile: Celia Imrie"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233616/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/smgpubs/doc/335765800.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug%2029,%202003&author=&pub=Evening%20Times&edition=&startpage=&desc=STAR%20PROFILE%20%20%20Celia%20Imrie
  5. Mellor, Rupert (3 May 2003). "She wears it well". No. 67753. p. 5[S3].
  6. "BFI Screenonline: Imrie, Celia (1952–) Biography"
    http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/571825/index.html
  7. "Celia Imrie – Awfully big adventure"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111004072528/http://www.fabulousdames.com/Celia/celiaadventure.htm
  8. "Rutland 28"
    http://www.william1.co.uk/r28.htm
  9. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 107th edition, vol. 1, ed. Charles Mosley, Burke's Peerage Ltd, 2003, p. 402
  10. Surrey Live
    https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/famous-celebrities-taught-school-surrey-17649486
  11. Nicholson, Rebecca. Celia Imrie: ‘People go wild when I tell them I was a fighter pilot in Star Wars, The Guardian, 22 S
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/sep/22/celia-imrie-fighter-pilot-star-wars-gran-better-things-trapeze
  12. Biography of Celia Imrie, British Film Institute Screenonline
    http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/571825/index.html
  13. There's been a murder: Taggart at 25, The Independent, 7 September 2008
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/there-s-been-a-murder-taggart-at-25-921715.html
  14. Blue Black Permanent, British Film Institute database
    https://www.bfi.org.uk/film/2c3d3610-cded-55a5-a700-be3d9bad0faa/blue-black-permanent
  15. The Times
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110616092506/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article1291795.ece
  16. BBC Media Centre
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/articles/2025/the-celebrity-traitors
  17. Evening Standard
    https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-traitors-fart-celia-imrie-b1253202.html
  18. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgvqj5w233o
  19. The art of showing off, The Guardian, 19 March 2005
    https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2005/mar/19/theatre
  20. Performing Ceals, Fidelis Morgan website
    https://fidelismorgan.com/directing/
  21. Cast of The Sea (1991), Theatricalia website
    https://theatricalia.com/play/1p2/the-sea/production/cwt
  22. "What's on Stage – Unsuspecting Susan"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110616051522/https://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821048792461
  23. Variety
    https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117927429.html?categoryid=33&cs=1
  24. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/plague-over-england-duchess-theatre-london-saturday-night-jermyn-street-theatre-london-1631177.html
  25. "Imrie to star in world premiere of Mixed Up North"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110612062916/http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.php/25210/imrie-to-star-in-world-premiere-of-mixed-up
  26. "Past Winners | The Official London Theatre Guide"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120204104538/http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/awards/winners
  27. Official London Theatre
    https://web.archive.org/web/20070927201939/http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/awards/winners
  28. 1995: The Hothouse, Chichester Festival Theatre website
    https://www.cft.org.uk/about-us/our-history/1995
  29. Hangover Square, the Fidelis Morgan website
    https://fidelismorgan.com/plays/
  30. Drama at Inish, the Fidelis Morgan website
    https://fidelismorgan.com/directing/drama-inish/
  31. Laughing Matters, the Fidelis Morgan website
    https://fidelismorgan.com/directing/laughing-matters/
  32. Gardner, Lyn. Review of Hay Fever, The Guardian, 30 September 2010
    https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/sep/30/hay-fever-celia-imrie-review
  33. Olivier Awards: full list of nominations, The Daily Telegraph, 15 March 2012
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-news/9146000/Olivier-Awards-full-list-of-nominations.html
  34. Billington, Michael. Review of King Lear, The Guardian, 5 November 2016
    https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/nov/05/king-lear-review-glenda-jackson-old-vic
  35. HuffPost UK
    https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/donald-trump-and-the-queen-join-allies-for-d-day-celebrations_uk_5cf79c89e4b0747b8c5f034b
  36. Celia Imrie: Desert Island Discs, BBC Desert Island Discs webpage
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yhv30
  37. qi.com
    https://qi.com/shows/museum/gallery-fourteen/5-room-five
  38. Celia Imrie - IMDb
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0408309/
  39. Shilling and Sixpence Series 1
    https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/shilling-sixpence-investigate-series-01-1778
  40. Jeremiah Bourne in Time
    https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/jeremiah-bourne-in-time-1769
  41. The Prisoner Volume One
    https://www.bigfinish.com/releases/v/the-prisoner-volume-01-1181
  42. The Scotsman
    https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/books/book-review-nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-by-celia-imrie-1-4066131
  43. Kirkus Reviews
    https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/celia-imrie/nice-work-if-you-can-get-it-imrie/
  44. Kirkus Reviews
    https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/celia-imrie/sail-away-imrie/
  45. Kirkus Reviews
    https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/celia-imrie/a-nice-cup-of-tea/
  46. www.officialcharts.com
    http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/uk-top-40-singles-chart/20180817/750140/
  47. "Celia Imrie: 'They can age you too quickly, but there are still parts for women my age'"
    https://inews.co.uk/culture/books/celia-imrie-interview-author-orphans-in-the-storm-titanic-actor-1158540
  48. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8441832/Celia-Imrie-the-screen-matriarch-who-couldnt-bear-to-be-married.html
  49. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10093006/Celia-Imrie-Love-and-marriage-Gawd-no.html
  50. The Scotsman
    http://www.scotsman.com/news/celebrity/interview-actress-celia-imrie-on-her-40-years-on-showbusiness-1-4044556
  51. "How a brush with death taugh Celia to slow down. – Free Online Library"
    https://www.thefreelibrary.com/How+w+a+brush+with+death+taugh+ht+Celia+to+slow+down.-a0254065402
  52. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9598998/Who-Do-You-Think-You-Are-Celia-Imrie-BBC-One-review.html
  53. BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are?
  54. University of Winchester
    https://web.archive.org/web/20170202000556/http://www.winchester.ac.uk/newsandevents/Pages/University-celebrates-Graduation-2013-at-Winchester-Cathedral.aspx
  55. The London Gazette
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/64082/supplement/B9
  56. The Times
  57. "Celia Imrie"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20071104012605/http://members.aol.com/actorsite/citz/ciindex.htm
  58. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/feb/27/arts.artsnews
  59. WFTV
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180115071808/https://wftv.org.uk/events-gallery/2017-wftv-award-winners/
  60. Walesonline
    https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/tv/celia-imrie-film-role-confirmed-32739395.amp
  61. The Times
  62. The Daily Beast
    http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/07/05/inspector-lewis-on-pbs-masterpiece-mystery-tv-s-smartest-sleuths.html
  63. BBC Media Centre
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/articles/2025/the-celebrity-traitors
  64. "'Stage productions all years' on official website for Celia Imrie"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120121022515/http://www.celiaimrie.com/stage.asp
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