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Penelope Wilton

Penelope Wilton

Actor · Born June 3, 1946 (80) · Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England, UK

Dame Penelope Alice Wilton DBE (born 3 June 1946) is an English actress. She was formerly married to fellow actor Sir Ian Holm, and as she has not remarried, she retains her married style of Lady Holm. Wilton is known for starring opposite Richard Briers in the BBC sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles (1984–1989), playing Homily in The Borrowers (1992) and The Return of the Borrowers(1993), and for her role as the widowed Isobel Crawley in the ITV drama Downton Abbey (2010–2015). She also played the recurring role of Harriet Jones in Doctor Who (2005–2008) and Anne in Ricky Gervais' Netflix dark comedy After Life.  Wilton has had an extensive career on stage, receiving six Olivier Award nominations. She was nominated for Man and Superman (1981), The Secret Rapture (1988), The Deep Blue Sea(1994), John Gabriel Borkman (2008) and The Chalk Garden (2009) before winning the 2015 Olivier Award for Best Actress for Taken at Midnight. Her film appearances include Clockwise (1986), Cry Freedom (1987), Blame It on the Bellboy (1992), Calendar Girls (2003), Shaun of the Dead (2004), Match Point (2005), Pride & Prejudice (2005), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), The Girl (2012), The BFG (2016) and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (2023). Description above from the Wikipedia article Penelope Wilton, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 3, 1946 (80)
From
Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
39 on MovieCove · 89 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 22% in 30 days

What are Penelope Wilton's films like?

Across their 29 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 83rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile
: browse their Adventure 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
30%
Self
26%
Morality
15%
Survival
12%
Society
8%
Power
7%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 25 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 14 · Serious 3 · Dark 8

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 13 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 8 · Charged 11 · Intense 6

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

A split, not a type: Steady 13 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 4

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 9 · Funny 4

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 1

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

A split, not a type: Casual 15 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

9 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 4 of 9 analyzed roles.

Mentor
4 of 9
Ally
2 of 9
Hero
1 of 9
Shadow
1 of 9
Herald
1 of 9
Show the 9 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
16
Tense
10
Hopeful
12
Warm
10
Bittersweet
9
Other
23

How their films linger

Bittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

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 Penelope Wilton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 39 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Penelope Wilton'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

89 credits, 39 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Fing!(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale(2025)

    as Isobel Merton

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Dead Hot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 6 episodes · as Francine

  • Murder Is Easy(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · as Miss Pinkerton

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry(2023)

    as Maureen Fry

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Remembers… (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Downton Abbey: A New Era(2022)

    as Isobel Merton

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Operation Mincemeat(2021)

    as Hester Leggett

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Eternal Beauty(2019)

    as Vivian

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Summerland(2020)

    as Older Alice

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Downton Abbey(2019)

    as Isobel Merton

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • After Life(2019)

    Show 18 episodes · as Anne

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Zoo(2017)

    as Denise Austin

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society(2018)

    as Amelia Maugery

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Brexit Shorts: The End (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Helen

  • Brief Encounters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 6 episodes · as Pauline

  • The BFG(2016)

    as The Queen

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • All the World's a Screen: Shakespeare on Film (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel(2015)

    as Jean Ainslie

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • National Theatre Live: 50 Years on Stage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Delia

  • Belle(2013)

    as Lady Mary Murray

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Girl(2012)

    as Peggy Robertson

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel(2011)

    as Jean Ainslie

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • South Riding(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mrs Beddows

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Downton Abbey(2010)

    Show 47 episodes · as Isobel Merton

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

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

    as B.Q.

  • The Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mary

  • Half Broken Things (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Jean

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

    as Julie

  • Five Days(2007)

    Show 10 episodes · as Barbara Poole

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • The History Boys(2006)

    as Mrs. Bibby

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Harriet Jones

  • Match Point(2005)

    as Eleanor Hewett

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Pride & Prejudice(2005)

    as Mrs. Gardiner

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Doctor Who(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Harriet Jones

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Falling(2005)

    as Daisy Langrish

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Agatha Christie's Marple(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Carrie Louise Serrocold

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Shaun of the Dead(2004)

    as Barbara

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Calendar Girls(2003)

    as Ruth

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Comedy Connections (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Lucky Jim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Celia Welch

  • Iris(2001)

    as Janet Stone

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Bob & Rose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 5 episodes · as Monica Gossage

  • Victoria & Albert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Princess Mary Louise Victoria

  • The Whistle-Blower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Heather Graham

  • Victoria Wood: With All the Trimmings(2000)

    as Mrs. Cratchit

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Rockaby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Old Woman

  • Wives and Daughters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mrs Hamley

  • Tom's Midnight Garden(1998)

    as Aunt Melbourne

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Strange Case of Delfina Potocka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Delfina / Paulina

  • Alice Through the Looking Glass(1998)

    as White Queen

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Talking Heads 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Landscape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Beth

  • Carrington(1995)

    as Lady Ottoline Morrell

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Kavanagh QC(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Barbara Watkins

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Deep Blue Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Hester Collyer

  • The Return of the Borrowers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 6 episodes · as Homily

  • The Secret Rapture (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Marion French

  • The Borrowers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 12 episodes · as Homily

  • Screaming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • Blame It on the Bellboy(1992)

    as Patricia Fulford

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Beth · as Hester Collyer

  • 4 Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia

  • Talking Heads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Rosemary

  • Cry Freedom(1987)

    as Wendy Woods

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Clockwise(1986)

    as Pat Garden

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • C.A.T.S. Eyes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Laughterhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Alice Singleton

  • Ever Decreasing Circles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 26 episodes · Actor

  • The Tale of Beatrix Potter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Beatrix Potter

  • The Tale of Beatrix Potter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Beatrix Potter

  • King Lear(1982)

    as Regan

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Virginia Carlion

  • Othello (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Desdemona

  • The French Lieutenant's Woman(1981)

    as Sonia

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Pasmore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Helen

  • Able's Will (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Journalist

  • The Norman Conquests (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 3 episodes · as Annie

  • Joseph Andrews (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Mrs. Wilton

  • King Lear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Regan

  • The Song of Songs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 5 episodes · as Lilli Czepanek

  • The Pearcross Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 4 episodes · as Anna Pearcross / Helen Charlesworth / Julia Pearcross / Lottie Merchant

  • Mrs. Warren's Profession (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Vivie Warren

  • The Sullens Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Rachel Sullens

  • Country Matters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Rachel Sullens

  • Play for Today (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Virginia Carlion

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

    Show 1 episode · as Regan

  • Mavis Eccleston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Mavis Eccleston

  • Visitation (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 89 titles, 86 of them dated from 1965 to 2025; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

The BFG (2016)

$195M worldwide

Highest rated

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Midcredits 97th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19652025

Peak 2004 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 6 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
Acting89 of 89: 89 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score79th

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s10 · acting1980s14 · acting1990s15 · acting2000s22 · acting2010s15 · acting2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 26 roles
81960616

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.

How do Penelope Wilton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 77th percentile, the median of all 31; across their 25 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 73rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Approval · how many liked their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Reach · how many have seen their films

90thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 25

Midcredits score across 39 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up23
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 39 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Fing! (2026)

93rd percentile spread · 24% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Midcredits 98th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 81/100 in their films, across 25 reviewed titles; fans 86, detractors 54. 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 Penelope Wilton's work okay for kids?

Across up to 16 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore14 titles2–50 · median 29 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity16 titles13–51 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity12 titles15–85 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles21–57 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense14 titles4–52 · median 28 · 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 Penelope Wilton work with?

People who share at least 2 of Penelope Wilton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Madden shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers