Penelope Wilton - Actor Profile

Penelope Wilton

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 3, 1946
Birth Place: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England, UK

About Penelope Wilton

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.

Penelope Wilton Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Penelope Wilton reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Penelope Wilton's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 68% of Penelope Wilton's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Brexit Shorts: The End, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Penelope Wilton Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Penelope Wilton's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Penelope Wilton has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale Isobel Merton Hit Similar →
2023 The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Maureen Fry Hit Similar →
2022 Judi Dench: Our National Treasure Self Super Hit Similar →
2022 Downton Abbey: A New Era Isobel Merton Hit Similar →
2022 Operation Mincemeat Hester Leggett Hit Similar →
2020 Eternal Beauty Vivian Average Similar →
2020 Summerland Older Alice Super Hit Similar →
2019 Downton Abbey Isobel Merton Hit Similar →
2018 Zoo Denise Austin Hit Similar →
2018 The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society Amelia Maugery Hit Similar →
2017 Brexit Shorts: The End Helen Super Hit Similar →
2016 The BFG The Queen Average Similar →
2015 The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Jean Ainslie Average Similar →
2013 National Theatre Live: 50 Years on Stage Delia Average Similar →
2013 Belle Lady Mary Murray Hit Similar →
2012 The Girl Peggy Robertson Average Similar →
2012 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Jean Ainslie Hit Similar →
2010 Harold Pinter: A Celebration Self Super Hit Similar →
2009 Margot B.Q. Average Similar →
2007 Half Broken Things Jean Hit Similar →
2007 Celebration Julie Average Similar →
2006 The History Boys Mrs. Bibby Hit Similar →
2005 Match Point Eleanor Hewett Hit Similar →
2005 Pride & Prejudice Mrs. Gardiner Super Hit Similar →
2005 Falling Daisy Langrish Super Hit Similar →
2004 Shaun of the Dead Barbara Super Hit Similar →
2003 Calendar Girls Ruth Hit Similar →
2003 Lucky Jim Celia Welch Hit Similar →
2001 Iris Janet Stone Average Similar →
2001 Victoria & Albert Princess Mary Louise Victoria Super Hit Similar →
2001 The Whistle-Blower Heather Graham Super Hit Similar →
2000 Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings Mrs. Cratchit Hit Similar →
2000 Rockaby Old Woman Flop Similar →
1999 Tom's Midnight Garden Aunt Melbourne Average Similar →
1999 The Strange Case of Delfina Potocka Delfina / Paulina Super Hit Similar →
1998 Alice Through the Looking Glass White Queen Flop Similar →
1998 Talking Heads 2 - Super Hit Similar →
1995 Landscape Beth Super Hit Similar →
1995 Carrington Lady Ottoline Morrell Average Similar →
1992 Blame It on the Bellboy Patricia Fulford Flop Similar →
1987 Cry Freedom Wendy Woods Hit Similar →
1986 Clockwise Pat Garden Average Similar →
1984 Laughterhouse Alice Singleton Average Similar →
1982 King Lear Regan Hit Similar →
1981 Country Virginia Carlion Super Hit Similar →
1981 Othello Desdemona Hit Similar →
1981 The French Lieutenant's Woman Sonia Hit Similar →
1977 Joseph Andrews Mrs. Wilton Flop Similar →
1975 King Lear Regan Super Hit Similar →
1972 Mrs. Warren's Profession Vivie Warren Super Hit Similar →

Penelope Wilton - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Penelope Wilton?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Penelope Wilton is "Brexit Shorts: The End" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Penelope Wilton acted in?

Penelope Wilton has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Penelope Wilton?

Other notable films include "Landscape", "King Lear", and "The Strange Case of Delfina Potocka".

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