Penny Downie
{{short description|Australian actress}}
{{BLP sources|date=December 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Penny Downie
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| occupation = Actress
| yearsactive = 1976–present
}}
Penny Downie is an Australian actress known for her stage and television appearances in the United Kingdom. From 2017 until 2021 she played Ellen in the British TV sitcom Back. She plays the US ambassador’s house manager Frances Munning in the 2023 Netflix political thriller series The Diplomat.
Early life and education
Penny Downie was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.{{cn|date =November 2024}}
She trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), Sydney. Downie was a student of theatre director Joan Whalley. {{cn|date =November 2024}}
Career
Downie began her career in Australia, initially in Brisbane at Twelfth Night Theatre and Brisbane Arts Theatre.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
=TV and film=
After graduation she appeared in Australian TV series such as The Box, Bellbird, The Sullivans, Prisoner, and Learned Friends.{{cn|date =November 2024}}
She moved to the United Kingdom in the early 1980s. In 1984 she appeared as Dee Rogers in the Minder episode "If Money Be the Food of Love, Play On". Her many UK TV credits include Inspector Morse, Kavanagh QC, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Spooks, and New Tricks. She also appeared in The Girl in the Cafe.{{cn|date =November 2024}}
In 2009, she played Mrs. Pienaar in the Clint Eastwood film Invictus.{{cn|date =November 2024}}
In 2013, she appeared as Rev Mother Augustine in the Father Brown episode "The Bride of Christ". In 2014, Downie starred in an episode of Suspects as Fiona Sullivan, and appeared as Lady Sinderby, mother of Atticus Aldridge, in series five of Downton Abbey.{{Cite web|url= http://shows.stv.tv/downton-abbey/latest/288369-james-faulkner-penny-downie-and-catherine-steadman-for-downton-abbey/|title=STV programmes news and information}}
In 2016, Downie played Home Secretary Rose Kenter in American action thriller London Has Fallen, and portrayed Janet Lee Bouvier, mother of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the Pablo Larrain-directed historical drama Jackie.{{cn|date =November 2024}} She also appeared on television in British-Canadian co-production Houdini & Doyle as Mrs. Sulzbach, and featured in three episodes of the 2016 BBC1 espionage drama The Secret Agent, where she played Lady Blackwood.{{cn|date =November 2024}} In 2017, she had a supporting role as Tid in biographical drama Breathe, as well as a six-episode stint on Channel 4 sitcom Back as Ellen.{{cn|date =November 2024}} She reprised her role for a further six episodes in 2021.{{Cite news |last=Jones |first=Ellen E. |date=2021-01-21 |title=Back review – Mitchell and Webb's return is well worth the wait |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/jan/21/back-review-mitchell-and-webb-return-is-well-worth-the-wait |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
In 2019, she appeared in BBC Radio 4 horror podcast series The Lovecraft Investigations as Barbara, and played Valerie Chandris in three episodes of American thriller drama series Absentia.{{cn|date =November 2024}} She also starred in nine episodes of Netflix series The Crown as Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester.{{cn|date =November 2024}}
From 2023, Downie played Frances Munning in four episodes of American political thriller The Diplomat.{{cn|date =November 2024}}
In 2024, she featured in four episodes of British limited series A Gentleman in Moscow as Countess Rostova, based on the novel by Amor Towles. The series premiered on Paramount+ on 29 March 2024.{{Cite web |title=A Gentleman In Moscow is released Friday 29th March on Paramount Plus! {{!}} United Agents |url=https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/news/gentleman-moscow-released-friday-29th-march-paramount-plus |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=www.unitedagents.co.uk}}
On 1 April, Downie was named for the film Boss Cat.{{Cite web |title=Bus Stop Films' first feature Boss Cat to begin production in June - Media centre |url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2025/04-01-boss-cat-begins-production-june |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=Screen Australia |language=en}}
=Stage =
Downie is an associate artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she has played roles such as Lady Anne in Richard III in the 1984 production featuring Antony Sher in the lead, and Hermione and Perdita in The Winter's Tale. She appeared in the premiere of Nick Dear's play The Art of Success in Stratford in 1986 and later at the Barbican Theatre, London, alongside Michael Kitchen and Simon Russell Beale.{{cite web |url=http://theatricalia.com/play/m1/the-art-of-success/production/24d |title=Production of the Art of Success | Theatricalia |website=theatricalia.com |access-date=25 January 2014}}
In 2008, she played opposite David Tennant and Patrick Stewart as Gertrude, in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Hamlet which was subsequently adapted for BBC television and aired in late 2009.{{cite news|last1=Billen|first1=Andrew|title=Fit for a prince - Hamlet Production |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/theatre/2008/08/hamlet-tennant-play-scene|access-date=4 September 2014|work=New Statesman|date=21 August 2008}}{{cite web|title=BBC Two - Hamlet |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pk71s|website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=4 September 2014}} Downie also played the title character in Euripides' Helen at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in 2009.{{cn|date =November 2024}}
Downie played the title role in A Storm in a Flower Vase, a play based on the life of Constance Spry, which held its West End debut at the Arts Theatre.{{cite news|last1=Prendergast| first1=Lara|title=A Storm in a Flower Vase: Constance Spry spruces up centrestage |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/10303180/A-Storm-in-a-Flower-Vase-Constance-Spry-spruces-up-centrestage.html|access-date=4 September 2014|work=The Telegraph|date=12 September 2013}}
In 2016, Downie appeared as Nat in Rabbit Hole at the Hampstead Theatre, replacing Alison Steadman.{{Cite web |date=2015-12-29 |title=Alison Steadman replaced by Pennie Downie in Hampstead's Rabbit Hole |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/penny-downie-hampstead-rabbit-hole-cast_39434.html/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |language=en-US}}
In 2019, she starred as Helen Alving in a Royal & Derngate production of Ibsen's Ghosts, opposite James Wilby. The production garnered critical acclaim, with Downie's performance being lauded by various critics as "towering",{{Cite web |date=2019-04-25 |title=Review: Ghosts (Royal and Derngate) |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/review-ghosts-royal-and-derngate_48944/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |language=en-US}} "mesmerising"{{Cite web |date=2019-04-19 |title=Theatre review: Ghosts at Royal, Northampton |url=https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/ghosts-royal-northamp-17491 |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=British Theatre Guide |language=en-GB}} and "quietly devastating".{{Cite web |title=Ghosts review, Royal and Derngate, Northampton, 2019 |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/ghosts-review-at-royal-and-derngate-northampton--lushly-designed-and-atmospheric |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=The Stage |language=En}}
In 2021, she played Esther in The Lodger, which premiered at the Coronet Theatre in September 2021.{{Cite web |title=The Lodger |work=The Coronet Theatre |url=https://www.thecoronettheatre.com/whats-on/the-lodger/ |access-date=2024-09-13}}
Filmography
=Film=
class="wikitable sortable" | |||
Year
! Film ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Type | |||
---|---|---|---|
1982 | Crosstalk | Cindy | Feature film |
1985 | Wetherby | Chrissie | Feature film, UK |
1987 | Lionheart | Madelaine | Feature film US/Hungary |
1997 | Food of Love | Mary | Feature film, UK/France |
2000 | {{sortname|The|House of Mirth|The House of Mirth (2000 film)}} | Judy Trenor | Feature film UK/France/Germany/US |
2009 | Invictus | Mrs. Pienaar | Feature film, US |
2011 | | W.E. | Dr. Vargas | Feature film, UK |
2013 | Girl on a Bicycle | Margaret | Feature film Germany/France |
2016 | London Has Fallen | Home Secretary Rose Kenter | Feature film US/UK/Bulgaria |
2016 | Jackie | Janet Lee | Feature film US/UK/France/Chile/Germany |
2017 | Breathe | Tid | Feature film, UK |
2020 | The Jester from Transylvania | Mrs. Pennington | Feature film, UK |
TBA
|Boss Cat |Mum |Film |
=Television=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Year
! Film ! Role ! Type |
---|
rowspan="1"| 1976–1977
| Bellbird | Recurring role: Kelly Jamison | ABC TV series, 71 episodes |
rowspan="1"| 1977
| {{sortname|The|Box|The Box (Australian TV series)}} | Recurring Guest role: Ronnie Heatherton | TV series, 2 episodes |
rowspan="1"| 1979
| Skyways | Guest role: Miranda | TV series, 1 episode: "George And The Hooker" |
rowspan="1"| 1979–1980
| Cop Shop | Guest roles: Sherry Raymond / Wendy Green / Gillian Croft | TV series, 4 episodes |
rowspan="1"| 1980
| Prisoner | Recurring role: Kerry Vincent | TV series, 12 episodes |
rowspan="1"| 1981
| Guest role | TV series |
rowspan="1"| 1982
| {{sortname|The|Sullivans}} | Guest role: Patty Spencer Sullivan | TV series, 1 episode |
rowspan="1"| 1983
| Learned Friends | Regular role | ABC TV series |
rowspan="1"| 1984
| Minder | Dee Rogers | TV series UK, 1 episode: "If Money Be the Food of Love, Play On" |
rowspan="3"| 1986
| Guest role: Barbara Dashley | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Powerline" |
The Story of English
| Herself - Self / Titania | TV miniseries UK, 1 episode |
Refuse to Dance: The Theatre of Howard Barker
| Herself | TV documentary, UK |
rowspan="2"| 1988
| Campaign | Regular role: Sarah Copeland | TV miniseries UK, 6 episodes |
{{sortname|A|Taste for Death|A Taste for Death (P. D. James novel)}}
| Regular role: Inspector Kate Miskin | TV miniseries UK, 6 episodes |
rowspan="2"| 1991
| Guest role: Sheila | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Ex") |
Stanley and the Women
| Regular role: Susan Duke | TV miniseries UK, 4 episodes |
rowspan="1"| 1992
| Underbelly | Recurring role: Barbara Manning | TV series UK, 4 episodes |
rowspan="1"| 1993
| Guest role: Nurse Wendy Hazlitt | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Deadly Slumber" |
1994
| Stages | Guest role: Linda | TV series UK, 1 episode |
rowspan="1"| 1995
| {{sortname|The|Governor|The Governor (British TV series)}} | Guest role: Christina Knatchbull | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Episode #1.4" |
rowspan="1"| 1996
| Madson | Anderton | TV series UK, 1 episode 6: "Episode 6" |
rowspan="1"| 1997
| {{sortname|The|Ice House|The Ice House (novel)}} | Recurring role: Phoebe Maybury | TV miniseries UK, 2 episodes |
rowspan="2"| 1998
| {{sortname|A|Certain Justice}} | Guest role: Venetia Aldridge | TV series, 1 episode |
Crime and Punishment
| Katerina | TV movie, US |
rowspan="3"| 1999
| Aileen Longden | TV movie, UK |
Kavanagh QC
| Guest role: Mrs. Rosalind McEnery | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Previous Convictions" |
Stagestruck: Gay Theatre in the 20th Century
| Herself | TV series UK, 3 episodes |
rowspan="1"| 2001
| {{sortname|The|Cazalets}} | Recurring role: Margot "Sid" Sidney | TV series UK, 6 episodes |
rowspan="2"| 2003
| Trust | Guest role: Anita Matteo | TV miniseries UK, 1 episode: "Spilt Milk" |
Byron
| Lady Judith Milbanke | TV movie, UK |
rowspan="3"| 2004
| {{sortname|The|Inspector Lynley Mysteries}} | Guest role: Dr. Tessa Jellicoe | TV series UK, 1 episode: "If Wishes Were Horses" |
Spooks
| Guest role: Prosecution QC | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Episode #3.6" (uncredited) |
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking
| Recurring role: Judith Massingham | TV movie, UK/US |
rowspan="7"| 2005
| Caecilia | TV series documentary UK, 1 episode: "Murder In Rome" |
Falling
| Hazel | TV movie, UK |
{{sortname|The|Girl in the Café}}
| Ruth | TV movie, UK/US |
Murder in Suburbia
| Guest role: Zenith | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Golden Oldies" |
All About George
| Regular role: Evelyn | TV series UK, 6 episodes |
Trial & Retribution
| Guest role: Mrs Thorpe | TV series UK, 1 episode: "The Lovers: Part 1" |
Murder in Rome
| Caecilia | TV movie, UK |
rowspan="3"| 2006
| Guest role: Moira Blackthorn | TV series UK, 1 episode: "My Daughter, Right or Wrong" |
Agatha Christie's Poirot
| Guest role: Frances Cloade | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Taken at the Flood" |
New Street Law
| Honor Scammell / Honor Scammel | TV series UK, 14 episodes: 2006–2007 |
rowspan="1"| 2007
| {{sortname|The|Commander: Fraudster|The Commander (TV series)}} | Jane Griffith | TV movie, UK |
rowspan="1"| 2008
| Diane King | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Communal Living" |
rowspan="1"| 2009
| Hamlet | Gertrude | TV movie, UK/US/Japan |
rowspan="1"| 2010; 2014
| Doctors | Jessica Boyd / Maisie Padkin | TV series UK, 2 episodes |
rowspan="4"| 2011
| Recurring role: Bonnie Yorke | TV series UK, 2 episodes: "Solidarity" |
Silk
| Guest role: Helen Guthrie | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Episode #1.6" |
{{sortname|The|Shadow Line|The Shadow Line (TV series)}}
| Guest role: Caroline Monroe | TV mini-series UK, 1 episode: "Episode #1.4" |
Law & Order: UK
| Recurring role: Rachel Mathesson | TV series UK, 2 episodes |
rowspan="2"| 2012
| Vera | Guest role: Veronica | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Silent Voices" |
Threesome
| Guest role: Judge | TV series UK, 1 episode: "I Don't" |
rowspan="4"| 2013
| Guest role: Flora Gable | TV series UK/IRELAND, 1 episode: "The King Came Calling" |
Father Brown
| Guest role: Rev Mother Augustine | TV series UK, 1 episode: "The Bride of Christ" |
Silent Witness
| Guest role: Anne Percival | TV series UK, 1 episode: "True Love Waits: Part 2" |
Breathless
| Recurring role: Penny | TV series UK, 2 episodes |
rowspan="3"| 2014
| Suspects | Guest role: Fiona Sullivan | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Alone" |
Siblings
| Guest role: Dr. Barker (as Pennie Downie) | TV series UK, 1 episode: "Intern School" |
Downton Abbey
| Recurring role: Lady Sinderby | TV series UK, 4 episodes |
rowspan="2"| 2016
| Houdini and Doyle | Recurring role: Mrs. Sulzbach | TV miniseries UK/Canada, 1 episode |
{{sortname|The|Secret Agent|The Secret Agent (2016 TV series)}}
| Recurring role: Lady Blackwood | TV miniseries UK, 3 episodes |
rowspan="1"| 2017–2021
| Back | Regular role: Ellen | TV series UK, 12 episodes |
rowspan="2"| 2019
| The Lovecraft Investigations | Barbara | Podcast series UK, 1 episode |
Absentia
| Recurring role: Valerie Chandris | TV series US/Israel, 3 episodes |
2019–2020
| {{sortname|The|Crown|The Crown (TV series)}} | Recurring role: Alice, Duchess of Gloucester | TV series UK, 9 episodes |
2023–present
| Frances Munning | 8 episodes |
2024
| The Countess | 4 episodes |
References
External links
- {{IMDb name|0236069}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Downie, Penny}}
Category:Australian film actresses
Category:Australian soap opera actresses
Category:Australian stage actresses
Category:British film actresses
Category:British soap opera actresses
Category:British stage actresses
Category:British television actresses
Category:Royal Shakespeare Company members
Category:Actresses from Brisbane
Category:National Institute of Dramatic Art alumni
Category:20th-century Australian actresses
Category:20th-century British actresses
Category:21st-century Australian actresses
Category:21st-century British actresses
Category:People educated at Brisbane State High School