---
name: "Geraldine James"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/geraldine-james"
fi1m_id: "geraldine-james"
imdb_id: "nm0416524"
tmdb_id: 11855
wikidata_id: "Q440926"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "6 July 1950"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 17
updated: "2026-10-07T13:40:07.968636+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."
---

# Geraldine James

## Identity

Geraldine James

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/geraldine-james
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** geraldine-james
- **IMDb ID:** nm0416524
- **TMDB ID:** 11855
- **Wikidata ID:** Q440926
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geraldine_James, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q440926, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0416524/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11855

Actor. Born 6 July 1950 in Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 6 July 1950, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, UK
- **Active:** 1981–present
- **Frequently works with:** [Dan Lin](https://film.one/person/dan-lin.md), [Guy Ritchie](https://film.one/person/guy-ritchie.md), [Joel Silver](https://film.one/person/joel-silver.md), [Jude Law](https://film.one/person/jude-law.md), [Rachel McAdams](https://film.one/person/rachel-mcadams.md), [Robert Downey Jr.](https://film.one/person/robert-downey-jr.md), [Simon Curtis](https://film.one/person/simon-curtis.md), [Susan Downey](https://film.one/person/susan-downey.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 17 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 78 (3), 1990s 75 (2), 2000s 70 (3), 2010s 69 (7), 2020s 72 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 65 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 8 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 11, Mystery 6, Adventure 4, Action 3, Crime 3, Comedy 2
- **Screen time:** 22 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,449m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geraldine_James, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q440926, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0416524/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11855

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Jewel in the Crown*](https://film.one/tv/the-jewel-in-the-crown.md) (85), [*Band of Gold*](https://film.one/tv/band-of-gold.md) (72)
- **AMC+:** [*45 Years*](https://film.one/film/45-years.md) (88)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*A Doll's House*](https://film.one/film/a-dolls-house.md) (78)
- **Netflix:** [*The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo*](https://film.one/film/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.md) (74)

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

## Biography

Geraldine James is an English actress. She trained at the Drama Centre London and began her career in repertory theatre.

She is known for her role as Sarah Layton in the television series *The Jewel in the Crown* (1984), for which she received a BAFTA nomination, Marilla Cuthbert in *Anne with an E* (2017–2019), and Queen Mary in the film *Downton Abbey* (2019). Her film credits include *Gandhi* (1982), *Sherlock Holmes* (2009), *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), *The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* (2011), *45 Years* (2015) as Lena, and *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016). She was appointed OBE in 2003.

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

## On Fi1m (17)

- *Run Away* (2026), Fi1m 68, as Mother Adiona — [page](https://film.one/tv/run-away.md)
- *Silo* (2023), Fi1m 75, as Mayor Ruth Jahns — [page](https://film.one/tv/silo.md)
- *Downton Abbey* (2019), Fi1m 64, as Queen Mary — [page](https://film.one/film/downton-abbey-2019.md)
- *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016), Fi1m 70, as Blue Three — [page](https://film.one/film/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story.md)
- *45 Years* (2015), Fi1m 88, as Lena — [page](https://film.one/film/45-years.md)
- *Utopia* (2013), Fi1m 83, as Milner — [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows* (2011), Fi1m 58, as Mrs. Hudson — [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes-a-game-of-shadows.md)
- *The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* (2011), Fi1m 74, as Cecilia Vanger — [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.md)
- *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), Fi1m 48, as Lady Ascot — [page](https://film.one/film/alice-in-wonderland-2010.md)
- *Sherlock Holmes* (2009), Fi1m 65, as Mrs. Hudson — [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes.md)
- *Little Britain* (2003), Fi1m 58, as Harvey's Mother — [page](https://film.one/tv/little-britain.md)
- *State of Play* (2003), Fi1m 88, as Yvonne Shaps — [page](https://film.one/tv/state-of-play.md)
- *Band of Gold* (1995), Fi1m 72, as Rose Garrity — [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-gold.md)
- *A Doll's House* (1992), Fi1m 78, as Kristine Linde — [page](https://film.one/film/a-dolls-house.md)
- *She's Been Away* (1989), Fi1m 76, as Harriet Ambrose — [page](https://film.one/film/shes-been-away.md)
- *The Jewel in the Crown* (1984), Fi1m 85, as Sarah Layton — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-jewel-in-the-crown.md)
- *Gandhi* (1982), Fi1m 73, as Mirabehn — [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md)

## Complete filmography (126)

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

- *The Cage* (2026), series, as Nancy Packer
- *Run Away* (2026), series, as Mother Adiona — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/run-away.md)
- *Creditors* (2025), as Tekla
- *Tank Boy* (2025), Actor
- *Dope Girls* (2025), series, as Isabella Salucci
- *This Town* (2024), series, as Marie
- *The Trap* (2023), Actor
- *Silo* (2023), series, as Mayor Ruth Jahns — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/silo.md)
- *Benediction* (2021), as Theresa Thornycroft
- *The Beast Must Die* (2021), series, as Joy
- *Downton Abbey* (2019), as Queen Mary — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/downton-abbey-2019.md)
- *Back to Life* (2019), series, as Caroline Matteson
- *Beast* (2018), as Hilary Huntington
- *Megan Leavey* (2017), as Dr. Turbeville
- *Anne with an E* (2017), series, as Marilla Cuthbert
- *Daphne* (2017), as Rita
- *Rogue One: A Star Wars Story* (2016), as Blue Three — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/rogue-one-a-star-wars-story.md)
- *Alice Through the Looking Glass* (2016), as Lady Ascot
- *The Five* (2016), series, as Julie Wells
- *Black Work* (2015), series, as CC Carolyn Jarecki
- *45 Years* (2015), as Lena — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/45-years.md)
- *Robot Overlords* (2015), as Monique
- *Uncle* (2014), series, as Jane
- *Legacy* (2013), as Martha
- *Diana* (2013), as Oonagh Shanley-Toffolo
- *Dr. Easy* (2013), as Voice of Dr. Easy
- *The Genius of Marie Curie: The Woman Who Lit up the World* (2013), as Maria Skłodowska-Curie's letters read by
- *Utopia* (2013), series, as Milner — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/utopia.md)
- *13 Steps Down* (2012), as Gwendolen Chawcer
- *13 Steps Down* (2012), series, as Gwendolen Chawcer
- *The Farmer's Wife* (2012), as The Farmer's Wife
- *Playhouse Presents* (2012), series, as Liz / Lydia
- *The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* (2011), as Cecilia Vanger — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.md)
- *Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows* (2011), as Mrs. Hudson — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes-a-game-of-shadows.md)
- *Planet of the Apemen: Battle for Earth* (2011), series, as Narrator
- *Arthur* (2011), as Vivienne
- *Made in Dagenham* (2010), as Connie
- *Alice in Wonderland* (2010), as Lady Ascot — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/alice-in-wonderland-2010.md)
- *Sherlock Holmes* (2009), as Mrs. Hudson — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes.md)
- *Caught in a Trap* (2008), as Joyce Perkins
- *Little Britain USA* (2008), series, as Celia
- *The Last Enemy* (2008), series, as Barbara Turney
- *Phoo Action* (2008), series, as Dr Evelyne Conan-Bell
- *City of Vice* (2008), series, as Nell
- *Fairy Tales* (2008), series, as Mrs Brooke
- *Heist* (2008), as Joanna the Concubine
- *Ocean Voyagers* (2007), as Narrator (voice)
- *Northanger Abbey* (2007), as Jane Austen (voice)
- *The Time of Your Life* (2007), series, as Eileen
- *The Time of Your Life* (2007), as Eileen
- *A Harlot's Progress* (2006), as Mother Needham
- *The Amazing Mrs Pritchard* (2006), series, as Hilary Rees-Benson
- *Ancient Rome: The Rise and Fall of an Empire* (2006), series, as Cornelia
- *Jane Hall* (2006), series, as Lorraine Hall
- *Hex* (2004), series, as Lilith Hughes
- *The Fever* (2004), as Ranevskaya
- *He Knew He Was Right* (2004), series, as Lady Rowley
- *Little Britain* (2003), series, as Harvey's Mother — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/tv/little-britain.md)
- *Calendar Girls* (2003), as Marie
- *Hearts of Gold* (2003), as Elizabeth Powell
- *State of Play* (2003), series, as Yvonne Shaps — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/state-of-play.md)
- *The Hound of the Baskervilles* (2002), as Mrs. Mortimer
- *White Teeth* (2002), series, as Joyce Malfen
- *White Teeth* (2002), as Joyce Malfen
- *Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale* (2002), series, as Hans's Mother
- *An Angel for May* (2002), as Susan Higgins
- *Crime and Punishment* (2002), series, as Pulcheria
- *Taliesin Jones* (2002), as Mum
- *Tom & Thomas* (2002), as Miss Tromp
- *An Angel For May* (2002), series, as Susan Higgins
- *All Forgotten* (2001), as Mother
- *The Sins* (2000), series, as Gloria Green
- *The Luzhin Defence* (2000), as Vera, Natalia's Mother
- *Seesaw* (1998), series, as Val Price
- *The Man Who Knew Too Little* (1997), as Ludmilla Kropotkin
- *Drovers' Gold* (1997), series, as Ruth Jones
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Miranda Bedford — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Rebecca* (1997), series, as Beatrice
- *Moll Flanders* (1996), as Edna
- *Over Here* (1996), series, as Lady Billingham
- *Band of Gold* (1995), series, as Rose Garrity — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-gold.md)
- *Kavanagh Q.C.* (1995), series, as Eleanor Harker QC, Eleanor Harker Q.C.
- *Doggin' Around* (1994), as Sarah Williams
- *Words Upon the Window Pane* (1994), as Mrs. Henderson
- *The Healer* (1994), as Dr. Mercedes Honeysett
- *No Worries* (1994), as Anne O'Dwyer
- *A Doll's House* (1992), as Kristine Linde — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/a-dolls-house.md)
- *Losing Track* (1992), as Mrs. Dewey
- *The Bridge* (1992), as Mrs. Todd
- *Prince of Shadows* (1991), as Rebeca Osorio
- *Stanley and the Women* (1991), series, as Dr Trish Collings
- *Performance* (1991), series, as Kristine Linde
- *Ex* (1991), as Alice
- *In Suspicious Circumstances* (1991), series, as Dr Irene Gayus
- *If Looks Could Kill* (1991), as Vendetta Galante
- *The Wolves of Willoughby Chase* (1989), as Gertrude Brisket
- *Screen One* (1989), series, as Alice, Mrs. Dewey, Sarah Williams
- *She's Been Away* (1989), as Harriet Ambrose — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/shes-been-away.md)
- *The Tall Guy* (1989), as Carmen
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Helen Abernethie — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *Echoes* (1988), series, as Angela O'Hara
- *Wall of Tyranny* (1988), as Krista Donner
- *Inspector Morse* (1987), series, as Helen Field — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/inspector-morse.md)
- *Time and the Conways* (1985), as Madge Conway
- *Blott on the Landscape* (1985), Actor
- *Blott on the Landscape* (1985), series, as Lady Maud Lynchwood
- *The Jewel in the Crown* (1984), series, as Sarah Layton — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-jewel-in-the-crown.md)
- *Gandhi* (1982), as Mirabehn — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/gandhi.md)
- *Chains* (1982), as Janine
- *I Remember Nelson* (1982), series, as Lady Emma Hamilton
- *The History Man* (1981), series, as Barbara Kirk
- *Sweet William* (1980), as Pamela
- *Bloody Kids* (1980), as Ritchie's Wife
- *Hesther for Example* (1980), as Hesther
- *Shoestring* (1979), series, as Mary Philips
- *The Dumb Waiter* (1979), as Sally
- *Love Among the Artists* (1979), series, as Mary Sutherland
- *General Studies* (1979), series, as Barbara Kirk
- *Who's Who* (1979), as Miss Hunt
- *Dummy* (1977), as Sandra
- *The Sweeney* (1975), series, as Shirley Glass — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md)
- *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Hesther, Janine
- *Crown Court* (1972), series, as Julie Gilmour
- *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Miss Hunt
- *A Visit to Grandpa’s*, Actor
- *Now & Then*, as Laura

## Gallery

- ![Geraldine James](https://film.one/media/person/123155/gallery-a822d9370fa8.jpg) Geraldine James — Image via TMDB
- ![Geraldine James](https://film.one/media/person/123155/gallery-64d82dd11d0d.jpg) Geraldine James — Image via TMDB
- ![Geraldine James](https://film.one/media/person/123155/gallery-980b1bbed6dd.jpg) Geraldine James — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 2 won, 1 nominated

- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play 1990: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1990: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Volpi Cup for Best Actress 1989: Volpi Cup for Best Actress (won)

*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/geraldine-james