Geraldine James OBE (born 6 July 1950) is an English actress. She has worked extensively on television, on stage and in film. She is known for her role as Marilla Cuthbert in the Netflix series Anne with an E (2017–2019) and as Queen Mary in the 2019 film Downton Abbey.

Early life and education

Geraldine James was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire, on 6 July 1950. Her father was a cardiologist. Her parents divorced. She failed her 11 plus exam, and was educated at Downe House School in Newbury, Berkshire, where she was known as Gerry Thomas. Embarrassed by her simple surname, James used the grander-sounding double-barrelled name of Vaughan-Thomas while at school. She studied drama at the Drama Centre London.

Career

After graduating from the Drama Centre, James spent three years in repertory theatre and school theatre. Her film credits include Gandhi (1982), The Tall Guy (1989), 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). From 2017 to 2019, she starred in the Netflix series Anne with an E as Marilla Cuthbert, and in the 2019 film Downton Abbey as Queen Mary. In 2020 James voiced the spoken words on the track "All the Works of Nature Which Adorn the World" ("Vista", "Ad Astra") on the album Human. :II: Nature. by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish.

Awards and recognition

James was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004. Theatre director Peter Hall said that James ranks amongst the great English classical actresses.

Personal life

James is married to actor and director Joseph Blatchley. They have a daughter.

Selected stage roles

Radio

Filmography

Film

Television