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Lindsay Duncan

Lindsay Duncan

Actor · Born November 7, 1950 (75) · Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

BAFTA Award nominee

Lindsay Vere Duncan, CBE (born November 7, 1950) is a Scottish stage and television actress. She is the recipient of three BAFTA nominations and one Scottish BAFTA nomination, as well as two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award for her work on stage. She has starred in several plays by Harold Pinter. Duncan's film credits include Prick Up Your Ears (1987), The Reflecting Skin (1990), City Hall (1996), An Ideal Husband, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Mansfield Park (all 1999), Under the Tuscan Sun, AfterLife (both 2003), Starter for 10 (2006), Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010), About Time (2013), Birdman (2014), and Blackbird (2019). Outside of stage and film, Duncan appeared as Barbara Douglas in Alan Bleasdale's critically acclaimed G.B.H. (1991), Servilia of the Junii on the HBO historical drama series Rome (2005–2007), Adelaide Brooke in the Doctor Who special "The Waters of Mars" (2009), Anjelica Hayden-Hoyle in the BBC Two miniseries The Honourable Woman (2014), and Lady Smallwood on BBC One's Sherlock (2014–2017). She also portrayed Elizabeth Longford and Margaret Thatcher in the television films Longford (2006) and Margaret (2009), respectively.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 7, 1950 (75)
From
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
61 on MovieCove · 127 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 20% in 30 days

What are Lindsay Duncan's films like?

Across their 32 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
26%
Self
22%
Survival
16%
Morality
15%
Society
12%
Power
7%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeParenthood2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 26 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 11 · Serious 3 · Dark 12

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 15 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 9 · Intense 10

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 18 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 14 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 8 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 7

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 14 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

13 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 4 of 13 analyzed roles.

Mentor
4 of 13
Threshold guardian
3 of 13
Ally
2 of 13
Shadow
2 of 13
Shapeshifter
1 of 13
Herald
1 of 13
Show the 13 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
12
Dread
9
Warm
10
Bittersweet
11
Other
28

How their films linger

Bittersweet16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous9

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Lindsay Duncan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 48 of their 61 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (17).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Lindsay Duncan's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

127 credits, 61 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Mint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 8 episodes · as Ollie

  • The Party(2026)

    Show as Lady Katherine Fitzmaurice

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all shows

  • H Is for Hawk(2025)

    as Mum

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Death of Bunny Munro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 6 episodes · as Doris Pennington

  • National Theatre Live: Dear Octopus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Dora

  • Truelove(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Phil

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Jekyll(2023)

    as Sandra Poole

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Call Me Back (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Grace

  • Last Call (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Kate

  • Sherwood(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Jennifer Hale

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • A Banquet(2021)

    as June

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Around the World in 80 Days(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Jane Digby

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Wheel of Time(2021)

    Show 5 episodes · as Anvaere Damodred

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • No Ordinary Joe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Marion Barbara "Joe" Carstairs

  • Made in Italy(2020)

    as Kate

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • My Zoe(2019)

    as Kathy

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • National Theatre Live: Hansard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Diana Hesketh

  • His Dark Materials(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · as Octavia (voice)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Little Joe(2019)

    as Psychotherapist

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • November 1st (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Bonnie

  • The Morning Show(2019)

    Show 3 episodes · as Martha Ellison

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Blackbird(2019)

    as Liz

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • A Discovery of Witches(2018)

    Show 15 episodes · as Ysabeau de Clermont

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Gifted(2017)

    as Evelyn Adler

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Carnage(2017)

    as Maude

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Close to the Enemy(2016)

    Show 4 episodes · as Frau Bellinghausen

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • He Does Not Want Peace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Rachel Englebright

  • Alice Through the Looking Glass(2016)

    as Helen Kingsleigh

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Churchill's Secret(2016)

    as Clemmie Churchill

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)(2014)

    as Tabitha

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Honorable Woman(2014)

    Show 8 episodes · as Anjelica Hayden-Hoyle

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • The Leftovers(2014)

    Show 5 episodes · as Grace Playford

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Inside No. 9(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Loretta Lamb

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Toast of London(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Last Passenger(2013)

    as Elaine Middleton

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Le Week-End(2013)

    as Meg Burrows

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Lawless (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Lady Justice MacNeil

  • About Time(2013)

    as Mum

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Count Arthur Strong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Dame Agnes

  • Amish: A Secret Life(2012)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Hollow Crown(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Duchess of York

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Playhouse Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs Dalloway

  • White Heat(2012)

    Show 6 episodes · as Lilly (present day)

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Black Mirror(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Alex Cairns

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Spy(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as The Director

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Against the Wall(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Faith Kowalski

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Christopher and His Kind(2011)

    as Kathleen Isherwood

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Sinking of the Laconia(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Elisabeth Fullwood

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Sherlock(2010)

    Show 3 episodes · as Lady Smallwood

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Alice in Wonderland(2010)

    as Helen Kingsleigh

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Burlesque Fairytales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Ice Queen

  • Margot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Madam

  • Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Captain Adelaide Brooke

  • Margaret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Margaret Thatcher

  • Merlin(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Queen Annis

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Lost in Austen(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lady Catherine de Bourgh

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Criminal Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 5 episodes · as Alison Slaughter

  • Frankenstein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Jane Pretorius

  • Longford (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Lady Elizabeth Longford

  • Starter for 10(2006)

    as Rose Harbison

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Rome(2005)

    Show 22 episodes · as Servilia of the Junii

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Queen of Sheba's Pearls(2004)

    as Audrey Pretty

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Agatha Christie's Marple(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Marina Gregg

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Under the Tuscan Sun(2003)

    as Katherine

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • AfterLife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Working Shakespeare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

  • MI-5(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Angela Wells

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Hamilton Mattress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Beryl / Gertrude (voice)

  • Witness of Truth: The Railway Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Narrator

  • Perfect Strangers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 3 episodes · as Alice

  • Victoria Wood: With All the Trimmings(2000)

    as Pauline

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • A History of Britain(2000)

    Show 15 episodes · as Reader

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Dirty Tricks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Alison

  • Oliver Twist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 4 episodes · as Elizabeth Leeford

  • Mansfield Park(1999)

    as Mrs. Price / Lady Bertram

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Expelling the Demon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Woman

  • Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace(1999)

    as TC-14 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • An Ideal Husband(1999)

    as Lady Markby

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Shooting the Past (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 3 episodes · as Marilyn Truman

  • Get Real (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 7 episodes · as Louise

  • The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling(1997)

    Show 3 episodes · as Lady Bellaston

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream(1996)

    as Hippolyta / Titania

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • City Hall(1996)

    as Sydney Pappas

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Jake's Progress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 6 episodes · as Monica

  • Rumer Godden: An Indian Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Narrator

  • The Rector's Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · as Anna Bouverie

  • A Year in Provence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 12 episodes · as Annie Mayle

  • Absolutely Fabulous(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeanne Durand

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Storyteller: Greek Myths(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Medea

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Body Parts(1991)

    as Dr. Agatha Webb

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Redemption (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Kath Peachey

  • G.B.H. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 7 episodes · as Barbara Douglas

  • The Reflecting Skin(1990)

    as Dolphin Blue

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • TECX (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Laura Pellin

  • Traffik (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 6 episodes · as Helen Rosshalde

  • These Foolish Things (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Gutrune Day

  • Poirot(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Lady Tamplin

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Childeater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Eirwen

  • Alas Sage & Onion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Colin's Sandwich (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 12 episodes · as Rosemary

  • Manifesto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Lily Sachor

  • The Play on One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Gutrune Day

  • Prick Up Your Ears(1987)

    as Anthea Lahr

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • ScreenPlay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Kath Peachey

  • Dead Head (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dana Cass

  • Screen Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Dolphin Blue

  • Travelling Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Andrea

  • Loose Connections (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Sally

  • Rainy Day Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Karen Miller

  • The Kit Curran Radio Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 6 episodes · as Pamela Scott

  • Samson and Delilah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Alice

  • Reilly: Ace of Spies(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Alexandra

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • On Approval (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Helen

  • Muck and Brass (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 6 episodes · as Jean Torrode

  • Grown-Ups (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Mrs Butcher

  • The Winkler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Diane

  • Dick Turpin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Catherine Langford

  • The New Avengers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Jane

  • One-Upmanship (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Further Up Pompeii (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Scrubba

  • Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Christine Butcher

  • ITV Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Diane

  • BBC Play of the Month (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Helen Hayle

  • Alma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Daughter of Eden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Emer

  • The Entertainment System Is Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • These Foolish Things (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 126 titles, 122 of them dated from 1965 to 2026; peak year 2018.

Biggest box office

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

$103M worldwide

Highest rated

Rome (2005)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

19652026

Peak 2018 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 9 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting126 of 126: 126 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score76th

By decade

1960s2 · acting1970s6 · acting1980s21 · acting1990s21 · acting2000s22 · acting2010s36 · acting2020s14 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 26 roles
87021217

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

3 major nominations and no wins, 1992–2002.

  1. 2002
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Actress
  2. 2000
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Actress
  3. 1992
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Actress

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Lindsay Duncan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 30; across their 26 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Approval · how many liked their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Reach · how many have seen their films

83rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Midcredits score across 61 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up31
  • 50th to 74th17
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 61 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved15
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Doctor Jekyll (2023)

84th percentile spread · 49% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Sherlock (2010)

Midcredits 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 75/100 in their films, across 25 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 49. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Lindsay Duncan's work okay for kids?

Across up to 13 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films and violence & gore and frightening / intense lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore9 titles5–50 · median 20 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity13 titles12–71 · median 43 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles30–83 · median 53 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles28–54 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles12–52 · median 25 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Lindsay Duncan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Lindsay Duncan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Adrian Johnston shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers