--- name: "Margaret Tyzack" canonical: "https://film.one/person/margaret-tyzack" fi1m_id: "margaret-tyzack" imdb_id: "nm0879239" tmdb_id: 250 wikidata_id: "Q439778" roles: ["Actor"] born: "9 September 1931" died: "25 June 2011" reviewed_on_fi1m: 3 average_fi1m_score: 87 average_as: "actor" average_over: 3 updated: "2026-10-07T12:39:15.934728+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." --- # Margaret Tyzack ## Identity Margaret Tyzack - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/margaret-tyzack - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** margaret-tyzack - **IMDb ID:** nm0879239 - **TMDB ID:** 250 - **Wikidata ID:** Q439778 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Tyzack, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439778, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879239/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/250 Actor. Born 9 September 1931 in Essex, England. Died 25 June 2011. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 9 September 1931, Essex, England - **Died:** 25 June 2011 - **Active:** 1967–1976 - **Average Fi1m score:** 87, as actor, over 3 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 92 (1), 1970s 84 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 87 to 81 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Science Fiction 2, Adventure 1, Crime 1, Drama 1, Mystery 1, War & Politics 1 - **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $99m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Tyzack, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q439778, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0879239/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/250 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*2001: A Space Odyssey*](https://film.one/film/2001-a-space-odyssey.md) (92) - **The Roku Channel:** [*I, Claudius*](https://film.one/tv/i-claudius.md) (90) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Margaret Tyzack > Margaret Tyzack made formidable women feel like particular people, with dry humour and precise character work. We value her most when an ensemble gives that precision room, as the crowded family of *I, Claudius* does. Margaret Tyzack's Antonia makes a complicated family easier to follow in *I, Claudius* (1976). As Claudius's mother, she has a distinct personality among actors who are hardly short of them. We rate Tyzack for that precision: she gives us someone we can recognise without having to dominate the scene. It is particularly valuable in a drama with so many people to keep track of. *The Forsyte Saga* (1967), in which she played Winifred Dartie, brought her to a wide television audience. Historical drama and literary adaptations became a substantial part of her screen work, while queens, matriarchs and formidable older women recurred across stage and screen. Such casting can encourage an actor to settle for looking imposing. Tyzack's dry humour and precise character work offered more possibilities than that, particularly when she had another strong actor to play against. Derek Jacobi's Claudius remains our strongest reason to watch *I, Claudius*, but Tyzack's Antonia, Brian Blessed's Augustus and Patrick Stewart's Sejanus give the intrigue its human interest. Their distinct personalities make the political manoeuvring worth attending to, without requiring everyone to compete for our attention. We found the cruelty more disturbing because the wit had made us willing to spend time with these people. The sets have dated and some performances lean towards the stage, but those limitations do little to diminish the pleasure of following the company. Her two films with Stanley Kubrick offer a different context: Elena in *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968), then Rubinstein in *A Clockwork Orange* (1971). We recommend *2001* for the exactness of Kubrick's filmmaking and the unease it creates, while acknowledging how remote its people can feel. Our enthusiasm for that film is chiefly enthusiasm for Kubrick; Tyzack's contribution to *I, Claudius* is easier to single out. Her later stage work included Lotte Schoen opposite Maggie Smith in *Lettice and Lovage* (1990), followed by Mrs St Maugham in *The Chalk Garden* (2008). The partnership with Smith made particular use of her dry humour and skill as a foil, qualities worth remembering alongside those formidable women. For an evening's viewing, begin with *I, Claudius*, provided a little theatricality does not spoil the pleasure. ## Biography Margaret Tyzack (1931–2011) was an English actress. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1962. She appeared in repertory theatre early in her career and became known for classical stage roles. On television she played Winifred in *The Forsyte Saga* (1967), Queen Anne in *The First Churchills* (1969) and Antonia in *I, Claudius* (1976). Her film roles included Elena in *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968) and a part in *A Clockwork Orange* (1971). She later appeared in *Match Point* (2005). Tyzack received a BAFTA TV Award for *The First Churchills*, a Tony Award for *Lettice and Lovage* (1990) and two Olivier Awards. She was appointed OBE in 1970 and CBE in 2010. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, nytimes.com, theguardian.com.* ## On Fi1m (3) - *I, Claudius* (1976), Fi1m 90, as Antonia — [page](https://film.one/tv/i-claudius.md) - *A Clockwork Orange* (1971), Fi1m 78, as Conspirator — [page](https://film.one/film/a-clockwork-orange.md) - *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968), Fi1m 92, as Elena — [page](https://film.one/film/2001-a-space-odyssey.md) ## Complete filmography (72) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Mother's Milk* (2011), Actor - *National Theatre Live: Phèdre* (2009), as Oenone - *Scoop* (2006), as Sid's Co-Passenger - *The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays* (2006), as Lotte Schoen (segment "Lettice and Lovage") - *Wallis & Edward* (2005), as Queen Mary - *Match Point* (2005), as Mrs. Eastby - *Bright Young Things* (2003), as Lady Thobbing - *Rosemary & Thyme* (2003), series, as Audrey Pargeter - *Until Death* (2002), Actor - *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: The Perils of Cupid* (2000), as Miss Helen Seymour - *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Passion for Life* (2000), as Miss Helen Seymour - *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Love's Sweet Song* (2000), as Miss Helen Seymour - *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Journey of Radiance* (2000), as Miss Helen Seymour - *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: My First Adventure* (2000), as Miss Helen Seymour - *Our Mutual Friend* (1998), series, as Lady Tippins - *Mrs. Dalloway* (1997), as Lady Bruton - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Naomi Inkpen, Harriet Compton — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *Family Money* (1997), series, as Delia - *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Travels with Father* (1996), as Miss Helen Seymour - *Dalziel and Pascoe* (1996), series, as Ella Keech - *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Treasure of the Peacock's Eye* (1995), as Miss Helen Seymour - *The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries* (1993), series, as Emily Pride - *Thacker* (1992), as Marjorie Thacker - *Heartbeat* (1992), series, as Edna Barton - *The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles* (1992), series, as Miss Helen Seymour - *The King's Whore* (1990), as La Comtesse douairière - *Prick Up Your Ears* (1987), as Madame Lambert - *Miss Marple: Nemesis* (1987), series, as Clothilde Bradbury-Scott - *Mr. Love* (1986), as Pink Lady - *The Corsican Brothers* (1985), as Madame de Guidice - *An Inspector Calls* (1984), as Sybil Birling - *The Wars* (1983), as Lady Emmeline - *Charles & Diana: A Royal Love Story* (1982), as Queen Elizabeth II - *An Inspector Calls* (1982), series, as Sybil Birling - *A Silly Little Habit* (1982), as Daphne - *Marriage* (1981), as Madame Fyokla - *Plays for Pleasure* (1981), series, as Miss Bell - *The Winter's Tale* (1981), as Paulina - *Some of My Best Friends* (1980), as Billie - *Lady Killers* (1980), series, as Mrs. Lillian Bywaters - *Quatermass* (1979), series, as Annie Morgan - *The Quatermass Conclusion* (1979), as Annie Morgan - *The Legacy* (1978), as Nurse Adams - *I, Claudius* (1976), series, as Antonia — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/i-claudius.md) - *Affairs of the Heart* (1974), series, as Miss Tita - *Playhouse* (1974), series, as Madame Fyokla, Daphne - *A Clockwork Orange* (1971), as Conspirator — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/a-clockwork-orange.md) - *Cousin Bette* (1971), series, as Bette Fischer - *Solo* (1970), series, Actor - *The First Churchills* (1969), series, as Princess Anne, Queen Anne - *A Touch of Love* (1969), as Sister Bennett - *W. Somerset Maugham* (1969), series, as Mrs. Hamlyn - *The Bone Grinder* (1968), as Gladys King - *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968), as Elena — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/2001-a-space-odyssey.md) - *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as Gladys King - *The Whisperers* (1967), as Hospital Almoner - *The Forsyte Saga* (1967), series, as Winifred Dartie - *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Mrs. Linden - *Thirty-Minute Theatre* (1965), series, as Esther - *The Wednesday Thriller* (1965), series, as Grace - *Ring of Spies* (1964), as Elizabeth Gee - *The Ginger Man* (1962), Actor - *Highway to Battle* (1961), as Hilda - *Drama 61-67* (1961), series, as Charlotte Lamb, Mary - *Maigret* (1960), series, Actor - *Somerset Maugham Hour* (1960), series, as Kathleen - *Passport to Shame* (1958), as June - *Behind the Mask* (1958), as Night Sister - *The End Begins* (1957), as Valerie Hollis - *Armchair Theatre* (1956), series, as Elizabeth Farrow - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Madame de Guidice - *Sunday Night Theatre* (1950), series, as Felicia Peterson ## Gallery - ![Margaret Tyzack](https://film.one/media/person/7/gallery-af3a7bd1053f.png) Margaret Tyzack — Stanley Kubrick, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/MargaretTyzackAClockworkOrange.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Margaret Tyzack](https://film.one/media/person/7/gallery-b105864f64d8.jpg) Margaret Tyzack — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 3 won, 1 nominated - Commander of the Order of the British Empire 2010: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (won) - Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1990: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (won) - Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1983: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated) - Officer of the Order of the British Empire 1970: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (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/margaret-tyzack