Geraldine James

Geraldine James Thomas (born 6 July 1950 in Maidenhead, Berkshire) is a distinguished British actress whose career spans over five decades across stage, screen, and radio. After an early childhood marked by her parents’ divorce, she attended Downe House School, where she briefly adopted the surname Vaughan‑Thomas before settling on her middle name, James, as her professional moniker. She honed her craft at the Drama Centre London and subsequently spent three formative years in repertory and school theatre, laying a solid foundation for a versatile repertoire. James’ breakthrough on television arrived with the acclaimed BBC miniseries The Jewel in the Crown (1984), where she portrayed Sarah Layton, a role that demonstrated her capacity for nuanced period drama. This was followed by a string of memorable television performances, including Rose Garrity in Band of Gold, Gloria Green in The Sins, and the iconic Mrs. Pincher in the comedy sketch show Little Britain.

Her filmography reflects an equally impressive range, from the historical epic Gandhi (1982) where she played Mirabehn, to contemporary thrillers such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) and the science‑fiction blockbuster Rogue One (2016). On stage, she has earned critical acclaim for roles like Portia opposite Dustin Hoffman in The Merchant of Venice and Hedda Gabler at Manchester’s Royal Exchange. In 2004, James was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her contributions to drama. She continues to captivate audiences, most recently as Marilla Cuthbert in Netflix’s Anne with an E (2017‑2019) and as Queen Mary in the film Downton Abbey (2019). Married to actor‑director Joseph Blatchley since 1986, the couple share a daughter, and James remains an active and respected figure in the performing arts.