---
name: "Lesley Manville"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/lesley-manville"
fi1m_id: "lesley-manville"
imdb_id: "nm0544334"
tmdb_id: 72305
wikidata_id: "Q444410"
roles: ["Actor","Producer"]
born: "12 March 1956"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 23
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 23
updated: "2026-10-23T04:05:23.861405+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."
---

# Lesley Manville

## Identity

Lesley Manville

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lesley-manville
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** lesley-manville
- **IMDb ID:** nm0544334
- **TMDB ID:** 72305
- **Wikidata ID:** Q444410
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesley_Manville, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q444410, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544334/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/72305

Actor and producer. Born 12 March 1956 in Brighton, England, UK.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Producer
- **Born:** 12 March 1956, Brighton, England, UK
- **Active:** 1996–present
- **Also known as:** Lesley Ann Manville
- **Frequently works with:** [Mike Leigh](https://film.one/person/mike-leigh.md), [Imelda Staunton](https://film.one/person/imelda-staunton.md), [Jim Broadbent](https://film.one/person/jim-broadbent.md), [Simon Channing-Williams](https://film.one/person/simon-channing-williams.md), [Timothy Spall](https://film.one/person/timothy-spall.md), [Dorothy Atkinson](https://film.one/person/dorothy-atkinson.md), [Eddie Marsan](https://film.one/person/eddie-marsan.md), [Elizabeth Gaskell](https://film.one/person/elizabeth-gaskell.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 23 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 88 (2), 2000s 75 (4), 2010s 76 (9), 2020s 68 (8)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 70 across 19 titles
- **Score spread:** 12 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 5 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 22 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 18, Comedy 5, History 4, Crime 3, Family 3, Fantasy 3
- **Screen time:** 31 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,795m across 14 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lesley_Manville, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q444410, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0544334/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/72305

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Mum*](https://film.one/tv/mum.md) (84), [*Cranford*](https://film.one/tv/cranford.md) (84), [*North & South*](https://film.one/tv/north-and-south.md) (83), [*Sherwood*](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md) (82)
- **Netflix:** [*Phantom Thread*](https://film.one/film/phantom-thread.md) (87), [*Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris*](https://film.one/film/mrs-harris-goes-to-paris.md) (78), [*The Crown*](https://film.one/tv/the-crown.md) (78)
- **HBO Max:** [*Topsy-Turvy*](https://film.one/film/topsy-turvy.md) (88), [*Secrets & Lies*](https://film.one/film/secrets-and-lies.md) (88)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Another Year*](https://film.one/film/another-year.md) (87)
- **BritBox:** [*Save Me*](https://film.one/tv/save-me.md) (84)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Vera Drake*](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md) (84)

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

## Fi1m on Lesley Manville

> Lesley Manville can make an affectionate look feel troubling without overstating it. We value that precision, and her ability to make a supporting part worth watching even when the film around her disappoints.

In *Back to Black* (2024), Lesley Manville sits at a kitchen table with Marisa Abela and a pot of tea, with little being said. As Cynthia, Amy Winehouse’s grandmother, she watches with pride and a chill that makes the affection less reassuring. We were moved by those quiet exchanges because Manville shows how closely Cynthia is watching her granddaughter without needing a speech to explain herself. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis leave a single line of strings beneath the scene; the restraint suits a performance that has already given us enough to notice.

Mike Leigh’s improvisational methods are important to her work, allowing characters to be developed in detail. Their collaborations stretch from *Grown-Ups* (1980) through *Secrets & Lies* (1996), in which she plays the social worker, to the central role of Mary in *Another Year* (2010). In *Secrets & Lies*, Brenda Blethyn and Marianne Jean-Baptiste carry the difficult conversations that make the film worth an uninterrupted evening. Paul Thomas Anderson’s *Phantom Thread* (2017) brought Manville wider international attention as Cyril Woodcock, opposite Daniel Day-Lewis. The detailed, collaborative preparation continued with Anderson; the attention came after decades of work.

Her recent supporting parts also show how little an actor can do about a film’s larger mistakes. Sam Taylor-Johnson’s *Back to Black* makes a safe romance out of a life that needs harder scrutiny. Manville gives Cynthia the assurance of someone who remembers being glamorous, and something less comfortable beneath her pride in Amy. There is not enough here to recommend the whole film, but Manville and Abela give it scenes worth staying for.

Her Doctor Cotter in Guadagnino’s *Queer* (2024) is agreeably odd, but she has only about twenty minutes to work with. The film lets her down in a different way: Guadagnino reaches for effects, and Marco Costa’s editing loses the briskness it has in the city. Her contribution cannot cure that slackness, and it would be unfair to expect it to. For a stronger film, start with *Secrets & Lies*, accepting that Manville is not the main attraction.

## Biography

Lesley Manville is an English actress. Born on 12 March 1956 in Brighton, she has worked extensively in film, television and theatre, including eight films directed by Mike Leigh.

She is known for roles in *Secrets & Lies* (1996), *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), *All or Nothing* (2002), *Another Year* (2010) and *Mr Turner* (2014). Her performance as Cyril Woodcock in *Phantom Thread* (2017) earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Other film credits include *Maleficent* (2014), *Let Him Go* (2020), *Mrs Harris Goes to Paris* (2022), *Back to Black* (2024) as Cynthia and *Queer* (2024) as Doctor Cotter.

On television she has played Princess Margaret in *The Crown* (2022–2023). Her stage work includes Olivier Award-winning performances in *Ghosts* and *Oedipus*, and a Tony Award for the latter on Broadway. She was appointed OBE in 2015 and CBE in 2021 for services to drama.

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

## On Fi1m (23)

- *Mr. Burton* (2025), Fi1m 71, as Ma Smith — [page](https://film.one/film/mr-burton.md)
- *Back to Black* (2024), Fi1m 48, as Cynthia — [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-black.md)
- *Disclaimer* (2024), Fi1m 56, as Nancy Brigstocke — [page](https://film.one/tv/disclaimer.md)
- *Queer* (2024), Fi1m 68, as Doctor Cotter — [page](https://film.one/film/queer.md)
- *Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris* (2022), Fi1m 78, as Ada Harris — [page](https://film.one/film/mrs-harris-goes-to-paris.md)
- *Sherwood* (2022), Fi1m 82, as Julie Jackson — [page](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md)
- *Alan Bennett's Talking Heads* (2020), Fi1m 75, as Susan — [page](https://film.one/tv/alan-bennetts-talking-heads.md)
- *Let Him Go* (2020), Fi1m 64, as Blanche Weboy — [page](https://film.one/film/let-him-go.md)
- *Maleficent: Mistress of Evil* (2019), Fi1m 46, as Flittle — [page](https://film.one/film/maleficent-mistress-of-evil.md)
- *Save Me* (2018), Fi1m 84, as Jennifer Charles — [page](https://film.one/tv/save-me.md)
- *Phantom Thread* (2017), Fi1m 87, as Cyril Woodcock — [page](https://film.one/film/phantom-thread.md)
- *Mum* (2016), Fi1m 84, as Cathy — [page](https://film.one/tv/mum.md)
- *The Crown* (2016), Fi1m 78, as Princess Margaret — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-crown.md)
- *Maleficent* (2014), Fi1m 55, as Flittle — [page](https://film.one/film/maleficent.md)
- *Mr. Turner* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Mary Somerville — [page](https://film.one/film/mr-turner.md)
- *An Adventure in Space and Time* (2013), Fi1m 80, as Heather Hartnell — [page](https://film.one/film/an-adventure-in-space-and-time.md)
- *Another Year* (2010), Fi1m 87, as Mary — [page](https://film.one/film/another-year.md)
- *A Christmas Carol* (2009), Fi1m 50, as Mrs. Cratchit (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/a-christmas-carol.md)
- *Cranford* (2007), Fi1m 84, as Mrs. Rose — [page](https://film.one/tv/cranford.md)
- *North & South* (2004), Fi1m 83, as Mrs. Maria Hale — [page](https://film.one/tv/north-and-south.md)
- *Vera Drake* (2004), Fi1m 84, as Mrs. Wells — [page](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md)
- *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), Fi1m 88, as Lucy Gilbert — [page](https://film.one/film/topsy-turvy.md)
- *Secrets & Lies* (1996), Fi1m 88, as The Social Worker — [page](https://film.one/film/secrets-and-lies.md)

## Complete filmography (132)

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

- *Marble Hall Murders* (2026), series, as Susan Ryeland
- *National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses* (2026), as Marquise de Merteuil
- *Midwinter Break* (2026), as Stella
- *Winter of the Crow* (2026), as Joan Andrews
- *Cold Storage* (2026), as Trini Romano
- *Monster: The Ed Gein Story* (2025), series, as Bernice Worden
- *Mr. Burton* (2025), as Ma Smith · Executive Producer — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/mr-burton.md)
- *Queer* (2024), as Doctor Cotter — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/queer.md)
- *Moonflower Murders* (2024), series, as Susan Ryeland
- *Disclaimer* (2024), series, as Nancy Brigstocke — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/tv/disclaimer.md)
- *Grotesquerie* (2024), series, as Nurse Redd
- *The Critic* (2024), as Annabel Land
- *Back to Black* (2024), as Cynthia — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-black.md)
- *Citadel* (2023), series, as Dahlia Archer
- *Dangerous Liaisons* (2022), series, as Genevieve de Merteuil
- *Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris* (2022), as Ada Harris · Executive Producer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/mrs-harris-goes-to-paris.md)
- *Sherwood* (2022), series, as Julie Jackson — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/sherwood.md)
- *Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men* (2022), as The Mother
- *Life After Life* (2022), series, as Narrator
- *Magpie Murders* (2022), series, as Susan Ryeland · Executive Producer
- *Let Him Go* (2020), as Blanche Weboy — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/let-him-go.md)
- *Alan Bennett's Talking Heads* (2020), series, as Susan — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/alan-bennetts-talking-heads.md)
- *Love Life* (2020), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Misbehaviour* (2020), as Dolores Hope
- *Ordinary Love* (2019), as Joan
- *Maleficent: Mistress of Evil* (2019), as Flittle — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/maleficent-mistress-of-evil.md)
- *World on Fire* (2019), series, as Robina Chase
- *I Am...* (2019), series, as Maria · Writer
- *To Provide All People* (2018), as Consultant Psychiatrist
- *Save Me* (2018), series, as Jennifer Charles — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/save-me.md)
- *Phantom Thread* (2017), as Cyril Woodcock — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/phantom-thread.md)
- *The Agency* (2017), as Anthea
- *Hampstead* (2017), as Fiona
- *Harlots* (2017), series, as Lydia Quigley
- *A Very British Brothel 2* (2017), as Narrator (Voice)
- *The Crown* (2016), series, as Princess Margaret — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-crown.md)
- *Rupture* (2016), as Dr. Nyman
- *Mum* (2016), series, as Cathy — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/mum.md)
- *River* (2015), series, as Chrissie Read
- *The Go-Between* (2015), as Mrs. Maudsley
- *Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism* (2015), as Miss Adderstone
- *Mr. Turner* (2014), as Mary Somerville — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/mr-turner.md)
- *Ghosts* (2014), as Helene Alving
- *Maleficent* (2014), as Flittle — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/maleficent.md)
- *Fleming* (2014), series, as Evelyn Fleming
- *The Christmas Candle* (2013), as Bea Haddington
- *An Adventure in Space and Time* (2013), as Heather Hartnell — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/an-adventure-in-space-and-time.md)
- *Romeo & Juliet* (2013), as The Nurse
- *A Five Star Life* (2013), as Kate Sherman
- *Mayday* (2013), series, as Gail Spicer
- *Spike Island* (2012), as Margaret
- *Ashes* (2012), as Cath
- *Another Year* (2010), as Mary — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/another-year.md)
- *Womb* (2010), as Judith
- *The Queen* (2009), series, as Margaret Thatcher
- *A Christmas Carol* (2009), as Mrs. Cratchit (voice) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/a-christmas-carol.md)
- *Law & Order: UK* (2009), series, as Phyllis Gladstone
- *Cranford* (2007), series, as Mrs. Rose — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/cranford.md)
- *Sparkle* (2007), as Jill
- *Perfect Parents* (2006), as Sister Antonia
- *The Great Ecstasy of Robert Carmichael* (2005), as Sarah
- *North & South* (2004), series, as Mrs. Maria Hale — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/north-and-south.md)
- *Vera Drake* (2004), as Mrs. Wells — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/vera-drake.md)
- *Promoted to Glory* (2003), as Capt. Annie Sullivan
- *All or Nothing* (2002), as Penny
- *Bodily Harm* (2002), series, as Mandy Greenfield
- *Rose and Maloney* (2002), series, as Professor Diane Marquis
- *Plain Jane* (2002), as Dora Bruce
- *David Copperfield* (2001), as Emma Micawber
- *The Cazalets* (2001), series, as Villy Cazalet
- *David Copperfield* (2000), series, as Emma Micawber
- *Other People's Children* (2000), series, as Nadine
- *Black Cab* (2000), series, as Yvonne
- *Topsy-Turvy* (1999), as Lucy Gilbert — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/topsy-turvy.md)
- *Toy Boys* (1999), as Mrs. Allen
- *Milk* (1999), as Fiona
- *Real Women* (1998), series, as Karen
- *Painted Lady* (1997), series, as Susie Peel
- *Holding On* (1997), series, as Hilary
- *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Phoebe Archbold — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md)
- *Dual Balls* (1997), as Joanna
- *Secrets & Lies* (1996), as The Social Worker — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/secrets-and-lies.md)
- *The Bite* (1996), series, as Ellie Shannon
- *Silent Witness* (1996), series, as Suzy Franklin
- *Tears Before Bedtime* (1995), series, as Beattie Freeman
- *Kavanagh Q.C.* (1995), series, as Lucy Cartwright
- *Little Napoleons* (1994), series, as Judith Silver
- *A Skirt Through History* (1994), series, as Bessie Parkes
- *O Mary This London* (1994), as Sophie
- *Ain't Misbehavin'* (1994), series, as Melissa Quigley
- *Goggle Eyes* (1993), series, as Rosalind Killin
- *A Statement of Affairs* (1993), as Carol
- *The Mushroom Picker* (1993), series, as Margot
- *Crime Story* (1992), series, as Gail
- *Bad Girl* (1992), as Penny Armitage
- *Top Girls* (1991), as Marlene
- *Performance* (1991), series, as Marlene
- *Soldier Soldier* (1991), series, as Rachel Elliot, Rachel Fortune
- *The Firm* (1989), as Sue Bissell
- *High Hopes* (1989), as Lætitia Boothe-Brain
- *Agatha Christie's Poirot* (1989), series, as Mrs. Lorrimer — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/agatha-christies-poirot.md)
- *Sammy and Rosie Get Laid* (1987), as Margy
- *High Season* (1987), as Carol
- *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Penny Armitage
- *Christmas Present* (1985), as Judy Tall
- *The Moon Over Soho* (1985), as Sally Spencer
- *Bulman* (1985), series, as Karen Tait
- *Dance with a Stranger* (1985), as Maryanne
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Sophie, Sue
- *Angels in the Annexe* (1984), as Jenny Bailey
- *Dog Ends* (1984), as Vivienne
- *Sharing Time* (1984), series, as June
- *Give us a Break* (1983), series, as Alma
- *Objects of Affection* (1982), series, as Liz
- *Our Winnie* (1982), as Liz
- *Grown-Ups* (1980), as Mandy
- *The Gentle Touch* (1980), series, as Shirley Davis
- *King Cinder* (1977), series, as Nikki
- *A Bunch of Fives* (1977), series, as Helen Wyatt
- *Wings* (1977), series, as Francoise
- *The Emigrants* (1976), series, as Janice Parker
- *Village Hall* (1974), series, as Merie
- *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Mandy
- *Leap in the Dark* (1973), series, as Julie
- *General Hospital* (1972), series, as Tina Butler
- *Barlow* (1971), series, as Christine West
- *Play for Today* (1970), series, as Vivienne
- *Softly Softly: Task Force* (1969), series, as Janet
- *Coronation Street* (1960), series, as Jill Mason — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/coronation-street.md)
- *Escorted*, series, as Mother
- *Jack of Spades*, Actor
- *Untitled 13*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Lesley Manville as Julie Jackson in Sherwood (2022)](https://film.one/media/title/9496/still-b6b0d0038788.jpg) Lesley Manville as Julie Jackson in *Sherwood* (2022) — Image via TMDB
- ![Lesley Manville](https://film.one/media/person/10321/gallery-d5bc9be4a7df.jpg) Lesley Manville — Mark Kari, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/05/Leslie_Manville_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lesley Manville](https://film.one/media/person/10321/gallery-d3070cb76537.jpg) Lesley Manville — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2018: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Phantom Thread*

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

- 2011: Best Actress in a Supporting Role (nominated), for *Another Year*

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

- 2016: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *River*

### Golden Globes — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2023: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris*

### Other awards — 5 won, 4 nominated

- Commander of the Order of the British Empire 2021: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (won)
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire 2015: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (won)
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress 2014: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress (won)
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress 2012: Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress (nominated)
- British Independent Film Awards 2010: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Another Year*
- European Film Award for Best Actress 2010: European Film Award for Best Actress (nominated), for *Another Year*
- National Board of Review Award for Best Actress 2010: National Board of Review Award for Best Actress (won), for *Another Year*
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress 2010: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress (nominated), for *Another Year*
- London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actress of the Year 2003: London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actress of the Year (won), for *All or Nothing*

*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/lesley-manville