--- name: "Maureen Lipman" canonical: "https://film.one/person/maureen-lipman" fi1m_id: "maureen-lipman" imdb_id: "nm0513520" tmdb_id: 6638 wikidata_id: "Q3300246" roles: ["Actor"] born: "10 May 1946" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 72 average_as: "actor" average_over: 6 updated: "2026-10-07T10:38:24.235917+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." --- # Maureen Lipman ## Identity Maureen Lipman - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/maureen-lipman - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** maureen-lipman - **IMDb ID:** nm0513520 - **TMDB ID:** 6638 - **Wikidata ID:** Q3300246 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maureen_Lipman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3300246, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0513520/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6638 Actor. Born 10 May 1946 in Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 10 May 1946, Hull, Yorkshire, England, UK - **Active:** 1979–2007 - **Also known as:** 모린 립먼 - **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 other - **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 6 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 66 (4), 1990s 78 (1), 2000s 80 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 71 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 5, Comedy 4, Mystery 2, Adventure 1, War 1 - **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $169m across 2 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maureen_Lipman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3300246, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0513520/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6638 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Pianist*](https://film.one/film/the-pianist.md) (87) - **The Roku Channel:** [*National Lampoon's European Vacation*](https://film.one/film/national-lampoons-european-vacation.md) (40) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Maureen Lipman > Maureen Lipman is good at the sharp reply, but *The Pianist* gives us a better reason to value her: the affection that survives some stiff dialogue. Familiar comic casting can make that quieter work easy to miss. In *The Pianist* (2002), Maureen Lipman and Frank Finlay keep a family conversation going while the circumstances around them grow harder to bear. As Szpilman’s parents, they give Roman Polanski’s drama a recognisable domestic scale, even when the dialogue sounds written for the audience’s benefit. We were moved by their efforts to carry on talking, because the affection makes us want to know these people beyond the information they must convey. Lipman helps us believe in the family before we have been allowed to know much about it. Her comic timing became widely familiar through television: first the agony aunt Jane Lucas in *Agony* (1979–81), then Beattie in the BT advertisements from 1987. The danger of that familiarity is a quick assumption that we know exactly what she will provide. Alongside those parts sit Trish in *Educating Rita* (1983) and the Joyce Grenfell one-woman show *Re:Joyce* (1988), which she co-wrote and performed. The work has not been confined to comic mothers, even if those are the parts that have helped fix expectations of her. Our recommendation for *Educating Rita* rests chiefly on Julie Walters and Michael Caine, who make Rita’s wish to learn matter despite Lewis Gilbert’s sometimes plodding direction. In *The Pianist*, Ronald Harwood’s screenplay creates a more specific difficulty for Lipman: the family exchanges have too much explaining to do. She and Finlay supply affection, but cannot make every prepared line sound spontaneous. We wanted longer with the family before the script put them to work telling us about their circumstances. Playing Evelyn Plummer in *Coronation Street*, which she joined in 2018, puts her back among the matriarchs. That is understandable casting, given her comic timing, but we would be wary of treating it as the whole of what she can do. The affection in *The Pianist* makes us wish for more parts that allow her time beyond the sharp reply. Start there for the quieter acting, allowing for family dialogue that is among the film’s weakest writing. ## Biography Maureen Lipman is an English actress. She was born on 10 May 1946 in Hull, Yorkshire. She trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and began her career in theatre, appearing with the Royal National Theatre. Lipman played the Mother in *The Pianist* (2002) and Trish in *Educating Rita* (1983), for which she received a BAFTA nomination. Her television roles include Evelyn Plummer in *Coronation Street* and appearances in *Doctor Who* and *Skins*. She has also worked extensively on stage, winning a Laurence Olivier Award for *See How They Run* (1984). She was appointed CBE in 1999 and DBE in 2020 for services to charity, entertainment and the arts. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (7) ### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these - *Skins* (2007), Fi1m 72, as Aunt Elizabeth — [page](https://film.one/tv/skins.md) - *The Pianist* (2002), Fi1m 87, as Mother — [page](https://film.one/film/the-pianist.md) - *Jonathan Creek* (1997), Fi1m 78, as Louise Bergman — [page](https://film.one/tv/jonathan-creek.md) - *National Lampoon's European Vacation* (1985), Fi1m 40, as Lady in the Bed — [page](https://film.one/film/national-lampoons-european-vacation.md) - *Educating Rita* (1983), Fi1m 71, as Trish — [page](https://film.one/film/educating-rita.md) - *Smiley's People* (1982), Fi1m 82, as Stella Craven — [page](https://film.one/tv/smileys-people.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang* (1982), Fi1m 72, as Alan's Mother (voice) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/ptang-yang-kipperbang.md) ## Complete filmography (96) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Rose* (2021), as Rose - *The Schnoz* (2020), as Norma & Golda - *Angela Carter: Of Wolves & Women* (2018), as Reader - *British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves* (2016), as Jane Lucas (archive footage) (uncredited) - *Bull* (2015), series, as Beverley - *The Job Lot* (2013), series, as Maggie Higgins - *Plebs* (2013), series, as Landlady - *Father Brown* (2013), series, as Mrs Patricia Parkinson - *Metamorphosis* (2012), as Mrs. Samsa - *Run For Your Wife* (2012), as Exercising Woman - *The Agent* (2009), as Charlie - *Ladies of Letters* (2009), series, Actor - *He Kills Coppers* (2008), series, as Lily Porter - *Caught in the Act* (2008), as Judith Herbst - *Veils* (2007), as Judith - *Comic Relief Does The Apprentice* (2007), series, Actor - *Comedy Map of Britain* (2007), series, Actor - *Skins* (2007), series, as Aunt Elizabeth — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/skins.md) - *Sensitive Skin* (2005), series, as Sue Shortstop - *The Fugitives* (2005), series, as Maggie Wych - *Doctor Who* (2005), series, as The Wire — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/doctor-who-2005.md) - *Doctor Who Confidential* (2005), series, Actor - *Stories of Lost Souls* (2004), as Larry's Wife - *Lighthouse Hill* (2004), as Audrey Davidson - *Winter Solstice* (2003), as Marcia - *Winter Solstice* (2003), series, as Marcia - *The Sharon Osbourne Show* (2003), series, Actor - *George Eliot: A Scandalous Life* (2002), as Narrator - *The King's Beard* (2002), as Maddie (voice) - *The Pianist* (2002), as Mother — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/the-pianist.md) - *Oklahoma!* (2002), as Aunt Eller - *Richard Rodgers: Some Enchanted Evening* (2002), as Performer - *The Discovery of Heaven* (2001), as Figure 1 - *Oklahoma!* (1999), as Aunt Eller - *Captain Jack* (1999), as Barbara Bostock - *Solomon & Gaenor* (1999), as Rezl - *Cold Enough for Snow* (1997), as Shani Whittle - *Jonathan Creek* (1997), series, as Louise Bergman — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/jonathan-creek.md) - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Mags Dormer — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *Eskimo Day* (1996), as Shani Whittle - *Agony Again* (1995), series, as Jane Lucas - *Carry On Columbus* (1992), as Countess Esmeralda - *Re:Joyce!: A Celebration of the Work of Joyce Grenfell* (1991), as Joyce Grenfell - *About Face* (1989), series, Actor - *Daytime Live* (1987), series, Actor - *First Sight* (1987), series, as Tamara - *A Little Princess* (1987), series, as Miss Maria Minchin - *Shift Work* (1986), as Julie - *Casualty* (1986), series, as Hannah 'Hayley' Liddell — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/casualty.md) - *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Julie - *All at No 20* (1986), series, Actor - *Absent Friends* (1985), as Marge - *Theatre Night* (1985), series, as Marge - *National Lampoon's European Vacation* (1985), as Lady in the Bed — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/national-lampoons-european-vacation.md) - *Water* (1985), as Prime Minister - *Love's Labour's Lost* (1985), as The Princess of France - *On Your Way, Riley!* (1985), as Kitty McShane - *Absurd Person Singular* (1985), as Jane - *Educating Rita* (1983), as Trish — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/educating-rita.md) - *Outside Edge* (1982), as Maggie - *Rolling Home* (1982), as Val - *Objects of Affection* (1982), series, as Val - *P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang* (1982), as Alan's Mother (voice) (uncredited) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/ptang-yang-kipperbang.md) - *Smiley's People* (1982), series, as Stella Craven — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/smileys-people.md) - *Last Night Another Dissident...* (1981), as Zoya Krein - *Dangerous Davies: The Last Detective* (1981), as Ena Lind - *The Wildcats of St Trinian's* (1980), as Miss Katy Higgs - *The Cannon & Ball Show* (1979), series, as Mrs Jane Page - *Agony* (1979), series, as Jane Lucas - *The Knowledge* (1979), as Brenda Weller - *Sam's Song* (1979), as Ingrid - *The BBC Television Shakespeare* (1978), series, as The Princess of France - *Dinner at the Sporting Club* (1978), as Sharon Benson - *A Soft Touch* (1978), series, as Alison Holmes - *Rogue Male* (1976), as Freda - *Three Comedies of Marriage* (1975), series, as Rachel - *The Evacuees* (1975), as Sarah Miller - *The Sweeney* (1975), series, as Mrs. Smedley — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sweeney.md) - *Regan* (1974), as Annie - *Armchair Cinema* (1974), series, as Annie - *Thriller* (1973), series, as Liz Morris - *Long Day's Journey Into Night* (1973), as Cathleen - *Crown Court* (1972), series, as Sarah Lewis - *Gumshoe* (1971), as Naomi - *The Gingham Dog* (1970), as Barbara - *Codename* (1970), series, as Lisa - *The People’s Jack* (1970), as Little Satin Bottom - *It's Called the Sugar Plum* (1969), as Joanna Dibble - *Battle of Britain* (1969), as Radar Operator (uncredited) - *The Smashing Bird I Used to Know* (1969), as Sarah - *Don't Ask Us - We're New Here* (1969), series, Actor - *ITV Saturday Night Theatre* (1969), series, as Cathleen - *Up the Junction* (1968), as Sylvie - *ITV Playhouse* (1967), series, as Liz, Little Satin Bottom, Zoya Krein - *Coronation Street* (1960), series, as Evelyn Plummer — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/coronation-street.md) - *The Dog That Couldn't Bark*, as Rebecca ## Gallery - ![Maureen Lipman](https://film.one/media/person/97664/gallery-5a53098e41fd.jpg) Maureen Lipman — Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/Maureen_Lipman_from_GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2866_of_74%29_%2852728570090%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023](https://film.one/media/person/97664/gallery-9cf1a39a925f.jpg) Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023 — Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2832_of_74%29_%2852727635097%29.jpg/1280px-GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2832_of_74%29_%2852727635097%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023](https://film.one/media/person/97664/gallery-55452d795534.jpg) Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023 — Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2833_of_74%29_%2852728414409%29.jpg/1280px-GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2833_of_74%29_%2852728414409%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023](https://film.one/media/person/97664/gallery-a59b7c61303f.jpg) Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023 — Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2834_of_74%29_%2852728572835%29.jpg/1280px-GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2834_of_74%29_%2852728572835%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023](https://film.one/media/person/97664/gallery-ca09886da4de.jpg) Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023 — Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2839_of_74%29_%2852728159666%29.jpg/1280px-GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2839_of_74%29_%2852728159666%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023](https://film.one/media/person/97664/gallery-afdd546819b3.jpg) Gyles Brandreth & Judi Dench & The Dames - London Palladium - Sunday 5th March 2023 — Raph_PH, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2846_of_74%29_%2852728413729%29.jpg/1280px-GylesDamesPalladium050323_%2846_of_74%29_%2852728413729%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Other awards — 3 won - Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire 2020: Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (won) - Commander of the Order of the British Empire 1999: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (won) - Laurence Olivier Awards 1984: Laurence Olivier Awards (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/maureen-lipman