---
name: "Anne Reid"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/anne-reid"
fi1m_id: "anne-reid"
imdb_id: "nm0717176"
tmdb_id: 77287
wikidata_id: "Q2290416"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "28 May 1935"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-07T19:55:50.931815+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Anne Reid

## Identity

Anne Reid

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/anne-reid
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** anne-reid
- **IMDb ID:** nm0717176
- **TMDB ID:** 77287
- **Wikidata ID:** Q2290416
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Reid, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2290416, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0717176/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/77287

Actor. Born 28 May 1935 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 28 May 1935, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, UK
- **Active:** 1992–present
- **Also known as:** آن رید
- **Frequently works with:** [Karen Lewis](https://film.one/person/karen-lewis.md), [Victoria Wood](https://film.one/person/victoria-wood-138175.md), Duncan Preston, Thora Hird
- **BAFTA Film Awards:** 1 BAFTA nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 75 (3), 2010s 73 (3), 2020s 80 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 72 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Comedy 3, Crime 3, Action 1, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1, War & Politics 1
- **Screen time:** 4 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $81m across 1 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Reid, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2290416, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0717176/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/77287

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Riot Women*](https://film.one/tv/riot-women.md) (80), [*Last Tango in Halifax*](https://film.one/tv/last-tango-in-halifax.md) (79)
- **HBO Max:** [*Years and Years*](https://film.one/tv/years-and-years.md) (79), [*Five Days*](https://film.one/tv/five-days.md) (76)
- **BritBox:** [*The Sixth Commandment*](https://film.one/tv/the-sixth-commandment.md) (80)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Anne Reid

> Anne Reid gives opinionated older women sharp comic timing and wants of their own. We value her most when the writing allows them something to do beyond keeping the younger characters in order.

Anne Reid's familiar screen territory is the family, where an older woman with firm opinions can still have wants of her own. As Muriel Deacon in *Years and Years* (2019), she provides a steady presence while the Lyons family faces technological change and mounting upheaval. Russell T Davies sometimes gives that family too many problems to illustrate, but the acting keeps the series absorbing. We worried about the Lyons family because the performances made their troubles matter beyond the issues being raised.

A decade as Valerie Barlow in *Coronation Street* (1961–1971) left Reid with a soap-actor label that narrowed some later opportunities. Her work with Victoria Wood, notably as Jean in *dinnerladies* (1998–2000), established a different reason to cast her: comic timing and rapport with other performers. We value that ability to be funny in company. It is a useful quality in an actor so often asked to preside over a family, and helps connect the comedy work to the later ensemble dramas.

The substantial turn came with her first leading film role, May in *The Mother* (2003), which treated an older woman's desire frankly. Reid's strength there is making that desire emotionally convincing, giving the character something to pursue for herself. As Celia Dawson in *Last Tango in Halifax* (2012–2020), opposite Derek Jacobi, she brought similar conviction to a later-life romantic partnership. These parts make good use of an actor who can give an older woman's private hopes enough importance to sustain a leading role.

That is also why the matriarch casting need not be a limitation. Muriel anchors *Years and Years* across fifteen years of story, and Reid's place within the ensemble matters to a programme with so much else competing for attention. Our reservation is Davies's habit of giving the family too many issues to illustrate; we would have welcomed more room for the people. Try it for the family drama, with some patience for a writer who keeps adding to their difficulties.

## Biography

Anne Reid is an English stage, film and television actress. She was born on 28 May 1935 in Newcastle upon Tyne and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before working as a stage manager and in repertory theatre.

She first came to prominence as Valerie Barlow in the soap opera *Coronation Street* (1961–1971). Later roles include Jean in the sitcom *dinnerladies* (1998–2000) and Celia Dawson in *Last Tango in Halifax* (2012–2020), for which she received a BAFTA television nomination. She was appointed MBE and later CBE for services to drama.

Reid has appeared in films including *The Mother* (2003), *Hot Fuzz* (2007) and the voice of Wendolene in *Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave* (1995). She played Nancy in the 2025 series *Riot Women*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, tvmaze.com.*

## On Fi1m (8)

- *Riot Women* (2025), Fi1m 80, as Nancy — [page](https://film.one/tv/riot-women.md)
- *The Sixth Commandment* (2023), Fi1m 80, as Ann Moore-Martin — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sixth-commandment.md)
- *Years and Years* (2019), Fi1m 79, as Muriel Deacon — [page](https://film.one/tv/years-and-years.md)
- *Last Tango in Halifax* (2012), Fi1m 79, as Celia — [page](https://film.one/tv/last-tango-in-halifax.md)
- *Cemetery Junction* (2010), Fi1m 61, as Freddie's Gran — [page](https://film.one/film/cemetery-junction.md)
- *Five Days* (2007), Fi1m 76, as Jen Mason — [page](https://film.one/tv/five-days.md)
- *Hot Fuzz* (2007), Fi1m 84, as Leslie Tiller — [page](https://film.one/film/hot-fuzz.md)
- *Bleak House* (2005), Fi1m 65, as Mrs. Rouncewell — [page](https://film.one/tv/bleak-house.md)

## Complete filmography (109)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Riot Women* (2025), series, as Nancy — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/riot-women.md)
- *Wallace & Gromit: The Collection* (2024), Actor
- *The Trouble with Jessica* (2024), as Miranda
- *Tales of the Tardis* (2023), series, as Nurse Crane
- *The Sixth Commandment* (2023), series, as Ann Moore-Martin — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sixth-commandment.md)
- *SAS: Red Notice* (2021), as Charlotte
- *The Nest* (2020), as Rory's Mum
- *The Aeronauts* (2019), as Ethel Glaisher
- *Sanditon* (2019), series, as Lady Denham
- *Years and Years* (2019), series, as Muriel Deacon — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/years-and-years.md)
- *Hold the Sunset* (2018), series, as Mrs. Gale
- *Romans* (2017), Actor
- *A Woman of No Importance* (2017), as Lady Hunstanton
- *Kaleidoscope* (2017), as Aileen
- *Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams* (2017), series, as Martine Jenkins
- *The Snowman* (2017), as Mrs. Bendiksen
- *Our Zoo* (2014), series, as Lucy Mottershead
- *Sardines* (2014), as Geraldine
- *Inside No. 9* (2014), series, as Geraldine — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inside-no-9.md)
- *The Last Witch* (2013), as Miranda
- *Believe* (2013), as Jean Busby
- *Angel in the House* (2013), Actor
- *Last Tango in Halifax* (2012), series, as Celia — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/last-tango-in-halifax.md)
- *Song for Marion* (2012), as Brenda
- *Prisoners' Wives* (2012), series, as Margaret
- *Foster* (2011), as Diane
- *Marchlands* (2011), series, as Ruth Bowen
- *Upstairs Downstairs* (2010), series, as Mrs Clarice Thackeray
- *Cemetery Junction* (2010), as Freddie's Gran — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/cemetery-junction.md)
- *Moving On* (2009), series, as Diane
- *Ladies of Letters* (2009), series, Actor
- *Faintheart* (2009), as Barbara
- *Affinity* (2008), as Mrs. Brink
- *In Love with Barbara* (2008), as Barbara Cartland
- *Savage Grace* (2007), as Nini Daly
- *The Bad Mother's Handbook* (2007), as Nancy Hesketh
- *Hot Fuzz* (2007), as Leslie Tiller — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/hot-fuzz.md)
- *Five Days* (2007), series, as Jen Mason — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/five-days.md)
- *Jane Eyre* (2006), series, as Gypsy Woman
- *The Booze Cruise III: The Scattering* (2006), as Grace
- *A Little Trip to Heaven* (2005), as Martha
- *The Booze Cruise II: The Treasure Hunt* (2005), as Grace Stringer
- *Bleak House* (2005), series, as Mrs. Rouncewell — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/bleak-house.md)
- *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as Florence Finnegan — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md)
- *Life Begins* (2004), series, as Brenda Thornhill
- *Shameless* (2004), series, as Joan Dallimore — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/shameless.md)
- *New Tricks* (2004), series, as Sophie Urquhart
- *The Young Visiters* (2003), as Mrs. Monticue
- *The Mother* (2003), as May
- *Love Actually* (2003), as Headmistress (uncredited) — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/love-actually.md)
- *The Booze Cruise* (2003), series, as Grace
- *The Booze Cruise* (2003), as Grace
- *Rose and Maloney* (2002), series, as Bea Linden
- *Sweet Charity* (2002), as Agnes
- *The Jury* (2002), series, as June Brierley
- *Linda Green* (2001), series, as Yvonne Mott
- *The Incredible Adventures of Wallace & Gromit* (2001), as Wendolene (Voice)
- *Liam* (2001), as Mrs. Abernathy
- *Victoria Wood with All the Trimmings* (2000), as Various Characters
- *Hearts and Bones* (2000), series, as Annie Rose
- *Lost for Words* (1999), as Gloria Brooks
- *dinnerladies* (1998), series, as Jean
- *Playing the Field* (1998), series, as Mrs. Gill
- *Love and Death on Long Island* (1998), as Maureen
- *Spark* (1997), series, as Mrs. Rudge
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Sarah Proudie — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *The Wingless Bird* (1997), series, as Alice Conway
- *Wallace & Gromit: The Best of Aardman Animation* (1996), as Wendolene
- *Dalziel and Pascoe* (1996), series, as Harriet Clifford
- *A Close Shave* (1996), as Wendolene (voice)
- *Hetty Wainthropp Investigates* (1996), series, as Hilda
- *Pat and Margaret* (1994), as Maeve
- *Rik Mayall Presents: Micky Love* (1993), as Jenny
- *Rik Mayall Presents* (1993), series, as Jenny
- *Peak Practice* (1993), series, as Rita Barrat
- *Gone Too Far: The Mystery of Mrs. Muriel McKay* (1992), as Muriel McKay
- *An Ungentlemanly Act* (1992), as Mrs Mozeley
- *Heartbeat* (1992), series, as Marjorie Doubleday, Aunt Alison
- *Rich Tea and Sympathy* (1991), series, as Sally
- *The Upper Hand* (1990), series, as Nurse Edwards
- *Victoria Wood* (1989), series, as Sheila, Enid
- *Doctor Who: The Curse of Fenric* (1989), as Nurse Crane
- *4 Play* (1989), series, as Pam Radley
- *About Face* (1989), series, Actor
- *A Bit of Fry & Laurie* (1989), series, Actor
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Daisy Luttrell — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *The Ruth Rendell Mysteries* (1987), series, as Joyce Virson
- *Inappropriate Behaviour* (1987), as Mrs Hawke
- *Casualty* (1986), series, as Barbara — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md)
- *Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV* (1985), series, Actor
- *Love and Marriage* (1984), series, as Ruth
- *Shine on Harvey Moon* (1982), series, as Joan
- *The Mallens* (1979), series, as Mathilda Bensham
- *The Mallens* (1979), as Mathilda Bensham
- *Leave it to Charlie* (1978), series, as Mrs. Hunnicutt
- *Strangers* (1978), series, as Audrey Stephens
- *One of the Boys* (1978), as Alice
- *Matchfit* (1976), as Sheila Harding
- *Red Letter Day* (1976), series, as Sheila Harding
- *Edward G: Like the Filmstar* (1973), as Eileen Morris
- *Crown Court* (1972), series, as Florence Davenport
- *Upstairs, Downstairs* (1971), series, Actor — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/upstairs-downstairs.md)
- *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Eileen Morris
- *Doctor Who* (1963), series, as Nurse Crane — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who.md)
- *Coronation Street* (1960), series, as Valerie Barlow, Valerie Tatlock — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/coronation-street.md)
- *Time Is the Enemy* (1958), series, Actor
- *Hancock's Half Hour: Volume 1* (1957), as Secretary
- *Hancock's Half Hour* (1956), series, Actor
- *The Adventures of Robin Hood* (1955), series, as Alison, Melissa, Betsy

## Gallery

- ![Anne Reid](https://film.one/media/person/26969/gallery-933374c926d6.jpg) Anne Reid — LH997, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Anne_Reid.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Sir Derek Jacobi Anne Reid in the recpetion lobby at Holdsworth House in Halifax whilst filming 'Last Tango in Halifax' in 2019](https://film.one/media/person/26969/gallery-9b313358680e.jpg) Sir Derek Jacobi Anne Reid in the recpetion lobby at Holdsworth House in Halifax whilst filming 'Last Tango in Halifax' in 2019 — LH997, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Sir_Derek_Jacobi_Anne_Reid_Holdsworth_House_Last_Tango_Halifax.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Anne Reid](https://film.one/media/person/26969/gallery-881f0c309706.jpg) Anne Reid — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### BAFTA Film Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2004: Best Actress in a Leading Role (nominated), for *The Mother*

### Other awards — 2 won, 2 nominated

- Commander of the Order of the British Empire 2024: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (won)
- Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actress 2004: Jameson People's Choice Award for Best Actress (nominated), for *The Mother*
- London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actress of the Year 2004: London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actress of the Year (won), for *The Mother*
- European Film Award for Best Actress 2003: European Film Award for Best Actress (nominated), for *The Mother*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/anne-reid