We're a Tomatometer-approved outlet
Nerdspin
Geraldine James

Geraldine James

Acting • 1950-07-06 • Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, UK

Geraldine James, OBE (born 6 July 1950), is an English film, television, and stage actress. Born in Maidenhead, Berkshire, she trained at the Drama Centre London and began her professional acting career in the 1970s. She gained recognition for her performances in the television drama Dummy (1977) and the miniseries The Jewel in the Crown (1984). Her performance alongside Peggy Ashcroft in She’s Been Away (1989) earned her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. Her film credits include Gandhi (1982), Calendar Girls (2003), Sherlock Holmes (2009), Alice in Wonderland (2010), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011), and 45 Years (2015). She portrayed Mrs. Hudson in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes films and Queen Mary in Downton Abbey (2019) and Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022). James is also known for her television roles in Band of Gold (1995), Utopia (2013-2014), Anne with an E (2017-2019), and Silo (2023). Her portrayal of Marilla Cuthbert in Anne with an E brought her widespread international recognition. Throughout her career, she has received four BAFTA Television Award nominations and has performed extensively in theater, including a Broadway production of The Merchant of Venice opposite Dustin Hoffman. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003 for her services to drama.

Known For

Silo8.2

Silo

2023

Anne with an E8.7

Anne with an E

2017

Sherlock Holmes7.2

Sherlock Holmes

2009

45 Years6.6

45 Years

2015

Utopia7.9

Utopia

2013

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo7.4

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2011

Fan Club

No Nerds have favorited Geraldine James yet — be the first.

All fan clubs

From Nerdspin

Filmography