Hannah Gordon

Hannah Campbell Grant Gordon, known professionally as Hannah Gordon, is a distinguished Scottish actress and television presenter whose career spans more than five decades. Born on 9 April 1941 in Edinburgh, Scotland, she honed her craft at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow before gaining early experience at a repertory theatre in Dundee. Her breakthrough came in October 1965 when she portrayed Zaylo in the Out of the Unknown episode “No Place Like Earth,” launching a prolific on‑screen journey that would include iconic roles such as Kirsty in the classic Doctor Who serial The Highlanders (1966‑67) and Ann Treves in David Lynch’s acclaimed film The Elephant Man (1980). Gordon’s versatility shone across genres, from the beloved sitcom My Wife Next Door (1972) alongside John Alderton to the period drama Upstairs, Downstairs (1974‑75) where she played Virginia Hamilton, and later as a bank manager in the BBC comedy Joint Account (1989‑90).

Beyond acting, she became a familiar face as the charming host of Channel 4’s Watercolour Challenge (1998‑2001), guiding amateur painters through creative contests. Her later television appearances include memorable guest spots on Midsomer Murders, Monarch of the Glen, and One Foot in the Grave (2000), where she delivered a striking performance as the character who kills Victor Meldrew. On stage, Gordon narrated Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf at St James’s Church and participated in high‑profile festivals such as the 2008 Edinburgh International Festival. With a career marked by breadth, longevity, and a seamless blend of drama and light‑hearted entertainment, Hannah Gordon remains a respected figure in British performing arts, celebrated for her talent, professionalism, and enduring appeal.