Jump to content

Sylvestra Le Touzel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Sylvestra la Touzel)

Sylvestra Le Touzel
Le Touzel in 2014
Born1958 (age 65–66)
Kensington, London, England[1]
OccupationActress
Years active1968–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2001)​
[2]
Children2

Sylvestra Le Touzel (born 1958) is an English actress. Known for her character work across television, radio, film, and theatre, she began her career as a child actor before moving into adult roles. She is married to actor Owen Teale, with whom she has two children.

Career

[edit]

Television work (1968–present)

[edit]

Le Touzel began her career at the age of ten, playing a child who bedevils the Second Doctor in the 1968 Doctor Who story The Mind Robber. She later starred on the BBC's "Look and Read", appearing as Helen in their 1971 serial The Boy from Space.[3] An early adult role was her portrayal of Fanny Price in the BBC dramatisation of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park (1983).[4] In 1985, Le Touzel co-starred with Bryan Pringle in a television advertisement for Heineken.[5] A parody of the "Rain in Spain" scene from My Fair Lady, it saw Pringle's character teaching a posh woman (Le Touzel) how to speak cockney by repeating: "The wa'er in Major'a don' taste like wot id ough' 'a" ("The water in Majorca don't taste like what it ought to"). The advert subsequently placed at number 29 on Channel 4's rundown of the "100 Greatest TV Ads".[6]

Le Touzel appeared in various television productions throughout the 1990s, including the police procedural Between the Lines (1994), an adaptation of Catherine Cookson's The Gambling Man (1995), and the science fiction miniseries The Uninvited (1997). She went on to star as veterinarian Briony on the BBC One sitcom Beast (2000–2001), which ran for two series. Later credits included prominent roles in the Victoria Wood television film Housewife, 49 (2004), political drama series The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (2006), an adaptation of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey (2007), the ITV comedy-drama series Bonkers (2007), the BBC Four film Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley (2008)—in which she portrayed Conservative politician Patricia Hornsby-Smith—and the four-part ITV/ABC miniseries Titanic (2012), where she played Lady Duff-Gordon, a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic. In addition, her work as D.C. Hazel Savage in the two-part television film Appropriate Adult (2011), a dramatisation of the crimes of Fred and Rose West, was described as "very authentic" by Variety and "remarkable" by the Los Angeles Times.[7][8]

In 2017, Le Touzel appeared on the second season of Netflix's historical drama series The Crown,[9] with The Telegraph describing her portrayal of Lady Dorothy Macmillan as "magnificent".[10] Between 2020 and 2023, she appeared as Christine Cranfield, a GCHQ boss, on the Sky One sitcom Intelligence. While the series was met with mixed reviews,[11] Le Touzel's work as the tightly-wound Cranfield was praised, with Collider commenting that she played the part to "perfection".[12]

Film work (2006–present)

[edit]

After appearing in several short films, Le Touzel made her feature film debut in Michael Apted's Amazing Grace, a 2006 biographical drama about the abolition of the slave trade in 18th century England.[13] She then co-starred as Heather in Happy-Go-Lucky (2008), a partially improvised comedy-drama directed by Mike Leigh,[14] which The Hollywood Reporter called a "certified good time" with "wonderful performances from top to bottom".[15]

Following a small part in The Iron Lady (2011), Le Touzel played three different characters in Cloud Atlas (2012), a big-budget science fiction drama directed by the Wachowskis. Her next film roles were in Mr. Turner (2014)—a drama based on the life of J. M. W. Turner—and the 2017 political satire The Death of Stalin, where she portrayed Nina Khrushchev, the second wife of Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev.[16]

Personal life

[edit]

Le Touzel was born and raised in Kensington, London. She married Welsh actor Owen Teale in 2001, several years after they met during a production of Henry IV; the couple have two daughters.[17][18] Le Touzel is a supporter of charitable theatre and is a patron of Montage Theatre Arts, a performing arts charity based in London, along with fellow actresses Debby Bishop and Emma Thompson.[19]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Amazing Grace Marianne Thornton
2008 Happy-Go-Lucky Heather
2011 The Iron Lady Hostess 1949
2012 Cloud Atlas Haskell Moore's Dinner Guest 5 / Nurse Judd / Aide in Slaughtership
2014 Mr. Turner Ruskin's Mother
2017 The Death of Stalin Nina Khrushchev

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1968 Doctor Who Child 2 episodes
Dixon of Dock Green Janet Dean 1 episode
1971 Look and Read Helen Main cast, series 3
1975 My Honourable Mrs Sarah Main cast, 7 episodes
1976 Westway Samantha Ryder Main cast, 7 episodes
1977 This Year Next Year Carol Shaw 9 episodes
Rooms Denise 3 episodes
Scene Liza Hollander 2 episodes
1978 Donal and Sally Sally Episode of Play for Today series
1979 Crown Court Beryl Betts 3 episodes
1980 The Professionals Patricia Buchanan 1 episode
Maria Marten Emily Corder Miniseries, 3 episodes
1981 Metal Mickey Jennifer 1 episode
The Gentle Touch Debbie Richard 1 episode
1982 Crimes Jane Episode of Play for Tomorrow series
1983 Mansfield Park Fanny Price Miniseries, 6 episodes
1985 Everyman Julia 1 episode
1986–1997 Alas Smith and Jones Various 5 episodes
1987 Screen Two Finn McQuillen 1 episode
The Short and Curlies Joy Television film
1988 Jackanory Storyteller 5 episodes
The Ray Bradbury Theater Emily 1 episode
A Vote for Hitler Marian Television film
1989 A Fine Romance Eve Barrington 1 episode
Making Out Tamsin 1 episode
The Dog It Was That Died Suleika Television film
1989–1991 ScreenPlay Lisbeth / Judith 2 episodes
1991 Lovejoy Amanda Peagram 1 episode
1993 Fighting for Gemma Sarah Downes Television film
1994 Shakespeare: The Animated Tales Rosalind Voice, 1 episode
Harry Enfield & Chums Lady Sophie Dim-But-Royal 1 episode
Between the Lines Sarah Teale 7 episodes
1995 The Gambling Man Charlotte Kean Miniseries, 3 episodes
1997 The Uninvited Joanna Ball Miniseries, 4 episodes
1998 Kiss Me Kate Hillary 1 episode
Vanity Fair Lady Jane Crawley 3 episodes
2000–2001 Beast Briony Main cast, 12 episodes
Hearts and Bones Rachel Heath 2 episodes
2000–2010 Midsomer Murders Linda Marquis / Miriam Fielding 2 episodes
2002 Great Britons Clemmie Voice, 1 episode
Animated Tales of the World Gretta / Sun Voice, 1 episode
2003 My Family Joanna Episode: "Blind Justice"
2004 Silent Witness Amanda Birley Episode: "Nowhere Fast"
2005 Housewife, 49 Mrs Lynch Television film
Judge John Deed Dr Margot Lipton Episode: "In Defence of Others"
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Paula Marshall Episode: "In Divine Proportion"
Falling Anna Blackstone Television film
2006 The Good Housekeeping Guide Helen Television film
The Amazing Mrs Pritchard Nina Morgan 4 episodes
2007 Bonkers Harriet Waterhouse Main cast, 6 episodes
Northanger Abbey Mrs Allen Television film
2008 The Long Walk to Finchley Patricia Hornsby-Smith Television film
2009 Doc Martin Juliet Wenn Episode: "The Departed"
May Contain Nuts Mrs. Reynolds Television film
Victoria Wood's Mid Life Christmas Mrs. Godchild / Lolly Goggins Television special
2010 Accidental Farmer Judith Television film
2011 Appropriate Adult D.C. Hazel Savage Television film
Lewis Caroline Eagleton Episode: "The Mind Has Mountains"
Case Histories Sylvia Land 2 episodes
New Tricks Janice Pargetter 1 episode
Threesome Antonia Episode: "Builder"
2012 Dirk Gently Emelda Ransome 1 episode
Titanic Lady Duff-Gordon Miniseries, 4 episodes
Secret State Ros Yelland Miniseries, 4 episodes
The Thick of It Mary Drake 2 episodes
Parade's End Marchant 3 episodes
2013 Blandings Veronica Shoonmaker Episode: "The Go Getter"
The Politician's Husband Diane Miniseries, 3 episodes
2014 Father Brown Verity Penhallick Episode: "The Mysteries of the Rosary"
Utopia Leah 5 episodes
Big School Ms Steele Episode: "OFSTED Chemistry"
2015 Death in Paradise Sandra Kendrick Episode: "She Was Murdered Twice"
2017 Endeavour Mrs Joy Pettybon Episode: "Canticle"
2017–2018 The Crown Lady Dorothy Macmillan 4 episodes
2020 The English Game Lady Kinnaird 4 episodes
Roadkill Dame Vanessa Pollard 3 episodes
2020–2023 Intelligence Christine Cranfield Main cast, 13 episodes
2022 Sister Boniface Mysteries Prunella Gladwell Episode: "Queen of the Kitchen"
2023 Dalgliesh Muriel Godby 2 episodes
The Great Witch Episode: "The Bullet or the Bear"
Still Up Dr. Stafford Episode: "The Sleep Clinic"

Radio

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1990 The New Marina Jean BBC Radio 4
1995 Faro's Daughter Deborah Grantham
An Imaginative Experience Julia
1996 Dombey and Son Edith
1999 A Midsummer Night's Dream Titania BBC Radio 3
2003 Nought Happens Twice Thus Florence BBC Radio 4
2008–2009 Daunt and Dervish Susan Dervish Main cast, 10 episodes
2013 Votes for Women! Lady John BBC Radio 3
2016 Ed Reardon's Week Antonia 4 episodes
2018 Indigo Children Ivy BBC Radio 4
2021 The Archers Evangeline 1 episode

Theatre

[edit]
Selected theatre credits
Year Title Role Notes
1982 The Understanding Kate Strand Theatre, West End
1984 Fall Ann Hampstead Theatre
1985 The Alchemist Dol Common Lyric Theatre, West End
1986 Dracula, or Out for the Count Mina Seward
1988 Hamlet Ophelia Theatre Royal
1991 Twelfth Night Viola Royal Shakespeare Theatre
1991–1992 Henry IV, Parts I & II Lady Percy Barbican Theatre
1992–1993 Artists and Admirers Negina
1993–1995 An Inspector Calls Sheila Birling Aldwych Theatre, West End
1996 Les Enfants du Paradis Nathalie Barbican Theatre
1996–1997 A Midsummer Night's Dream Hermia Almeida Theatre
2002 Benefactors Jane Albery Theatre, West End
2005 Wild East Dr Pitt Royal Court Theatre, West End
2010 Les Parents Terribles Leo Trafalgar Studios, West End
2012–2013 The Merry Wives of Windsor Meg Page Royal Shakespeare Theatre
2015 The Audience Margaret Thatcher Apollo Theatre, West End
2015–2016 Waste Frances Trebell Royal National Theatre
2018 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Miss Mackay Donmar Warehouse
2019 Alys, Always Mary Bridge Theatre
2023 Pygmalion Mrs Higgins The Old Vic

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Birth registered in Kensington, Q4, 1958. England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916–2007
  2. ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916–2005
  3. ^ "Look and Read: The Boy From Space (1971)". Broadcast for Schools. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  4. ^ Sue Parrill, Jane Austen on film and television: a critical study (2002), p. 84
  5. ^ "Heineken commercial – Water In Majorca". YouTube. Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  6. ^ "The 100 Greatest TV Ads". London: Channel 4. 2000. Archived from the original on 18 June 2001. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
  7. ^ Lowry, Brian (2 December 2011). "Appropriate Adult". Variety. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  8. ^ Lloyd, Robert (10 December 2011). "Television review: 'Appropriate Adult'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  9. ^ "See the Cast of The Crown vs. the People They Play in Real Life". elle.com. 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  10. ^ Lawrence, Ben (9 December 2017). "The Crown, season 2, episode 10 review: a terrific retelling of the Profumo Scandal". The Telegraph. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Intelligence (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  12. ^ Lawrence, Gregory (15 July 2020). "'Intelligence' Review: Schwimmer Is Off the Leash, Baby!". Collider. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Amazing Grace". variety.com. 2006. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  14. ^ Rom-Frank, Rebecca. "Happy-Go-Lucky". Screen Slate. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  15. ^ Bennett, Ray (12 February 2008). "Happy-Go-Lucky". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  16. ^ "The Death of Stalin is The Thick of It in Communist Party clothing". New Statesman. 20 October 2017. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  17. ^ "20 Questions With...Owen Teale - Interviews - 16 Sep 2002". Archived from the original on 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  18. ^ Mosley, Charles, ed. (2006). Burke's Landed Gentry Wales (16 ed.). Burke's Peerage & Gentry. p. 402. ISBN 978-0971196667.
  19. ^ "Montage Theatre Arts Patrons". Montage Theatre Arts. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sylvestra_Le_Touzel&oldid=1238514560"