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Haydn Gwynne

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BIO

Haydn Gwynne is a British actress known for her versatile range on both stage and screen. Born on February 1, 1957, in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, Gwynne began her acting career in the 1980s after graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).


Gwynne made her Broadway debut in 1992 in the musical "City of Angels," for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She later returned to Broadway in 2015 to star in "Threepenny Opera" as Mrs. Peachum, for which she received critical acclaim.
In addition to her success on Broadway, Gwynne has an extensive list of stage credits in the UK. She has performed at the National Theatre in London in productions such as "The Recruiting Officer," "The Crucible," and "Billy Elliot the Musical." She also starred in the West End productions of "The Audience" and "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown."
Gwynne's talent extends beyond the stage and into television and film. She is best known for her role as Lady Portia Featherington in the hit Netflix series "Bridgerton." Her portrayal of the manipulative and cunning Lady Featherington earned her critical acclaim and a legion of fans. Gwynne has also appeared in popular television series such as "Doctor Who," "Peak Practice," and "Black Mirror."
In film, Gwynne has appeared in a number of notable productions. She played the role of Mrs. Wilkinson in the film adaptation of "Billy Elliot," and starred alongside Hugh Grant in "Notting Hill." She also appeared in the 2019 film "The Elephant Man" as Princess Alexandra.
Gwynne's talent extends beyond acting as well. She has lent her voice to several audiobooks, including "The Girl on the Train" and "The Cuckoo's Calling." She also performed in the 2014 BBC Proms, singing songs from "My Fair Lady" and "West Side Story."
Gwynne's success in the entertainment industry has not gone unnoticed. In addition to her Tony Award nomination, she has been nominated for several Olivier Awards for her work on stage. She was also awarded the Clarence Derwent Award for Most Promising Newcomer in 1986 for her performance in "The Way of the World."
Offstage, Gwynne is known for her charitable work. She is a patron of the charity Acting for Others, which provides financial and emotional support to theatre workers in times of need. She is also a patron of the charity The Passage, which provides resources and support to homeless individuals in London.
In her personal life, Gwynne is married to Jason Morell, a theatre director and producer. The couple has two children together.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
2023
Pam Lee [Replacement]

[West End]
2013
Margaret Thatcher

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2008
Mrs. Wilkinson

[West End]
Original London Production, 2005
Mrs. Wilkinson

[West End]
London Production, 1993
Oolie/Donna


Movies

Car Trouble
[ 1986 ] Ticket Girl
The Pleasure Principle
[ 1991 ] Judith
Remember Me?
[ 1997 ] Jamie's Wife
These Foolish Things
[ 2006 ] Aunt Ada Fitzgerald
Hunky Dory
[ 2011 ] Miss Valentine
The Audience
[ 2013 ] Margaret Thatcher
The Threepenny Opera: National Theatre Live
[ 2016 ] Mrs. Celia Peachum
Beauty and the Beast
[ 2017 ] Clothilde
Royal Shakespeare Company: Coriolanus
[ 2018 ] Volumnia

TV Shows

Drop the Dead Donkey
Alex Pates
Merseybeat
Supt. Susan Blake
Midsomer Murders
Maggie Viviani, Jennifer Carter
Peak Practice
Dr. Joanna Graham
Poirot
Miss Battersby, Coco Courtenay
Rome
Calpurnia
The Windsors
Camilla

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2015 - Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Haydn GwynneWomen on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2009 - Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot the Musical


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2009 - Performance

Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot, The Musical


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Haydn Gwynne, the Musical

Olivier Awards - 2006 - Best Actress in a Musical

Haydn Gwynne, Billy Elliot

Olivier Awards - 1996 - Best Actress in a Musical

Haydn Gwynne, City Of Angels

News


Review: DROP THE DEAD DONKEY: THE REAWAKENING, Richmond Theatre

Starring original cast members Susannah Doyle, Robert Duncan, Ingrid Lacey, Neil Pearson, Jeff Rawle, Stephen Tompkinson and Victoria Wicks, this new stage version sees the team are thrust back together in the world of 24-hour rolling news, social media and algorithms at a new TV station with the distinctly tongue-in-cheek name, Truth News. 
SUNSET BOULEVARD arrasa en los premios Olivier

Ayer se celebró la gala de los premios Olivier 2024, en la que SUNSET BOULEVARD, el innovador revival dirigido por Jamie Lloyd, fue la producción más galardonada con 7 premios incluyendo mejor revival de un musical.
Olivier Awards 2024: The Full List of Winners

The biggest stars of London theatre gathered today at the Royal Albert Hall for the Olivier Awards 2024, hosted by Hannah Waddingham. Find out about Sunset Boulevard and the night's other big winners!
BroadwayWorld's Olivier Awards 2024 Predictions

The 2024 Olivier Awards are fast approaching on April 14. Ahead of one of the most exciting nights in theatreland, our critics – Aliya Al-Hassan, Mica Blackwell, Alexander Cohen, Katie Kirkpatrick, Kat Mokrynski, Gary Naylor, Kerrie Nicholson, Matthew Paluch and Christiana Rose share their thoughts about who and what will triumph on the night, as well as who should twin each category.
SUNSET BOULEVARD, PLAZA SUITE, and More Nominated For Olivier Awards; Full List!

The nominations are in for this year's Olivier Awards! Among those nominated are Sunset Boulevard, Plaza Suite, The National Theatre, and many more. Check out the full list of nominations here!
Review: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION, Live at the Sondheim Theatre, Cast Recording

Were you one of the lucky few who managed to bag a ticket for the one-night-only, star-studded gala revue, StephenSondheim’s Old Friends, on May 3, 2022?
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Cast Recording Starring Helena Bonham Carter, Bernadette Peters- Out This Week

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends: A Celebration (Live at the Sondheim Theatre) will be available as a 2-disc CD set and digital and streaming formats on Friday, December 8.
Haydn Gwynne Dies Aged 66

BroadwayWorld is very sad to report that actor Haydn Gwynne, who starred in Billy Elliot the Musical on stage, has died aged 66.
Clare Burt Replaces Haydn Gwynne in STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS

Clare Burt will join the company of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre when the show begins performances on 21 September. Learn more about Clare and find out how to get tickets here!
First Performance of STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Delayed and Haydn Gwynne Withdraws

Due to 'sudden personal circumstances', Haydn Gwynne has been forced to withdraw from STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS. Due to this, the first preview has been delayed. Learn more here.
Video: First Look at Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, and More in a New Trailer For STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS

An all new trailer has been released for Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, which will run at the Gielgud Theatre in London for 16 weeks only from 16 September 2023 – 6 January 2024. 
Photos: First Look at WHEN WINSTON WENT TO WAR WITH THE WIRELESS at the Donmar Warehouse

All new production photos have been released from the upcoming new play by Jack Thorne, When Winston Went to War with the Wireless, directed by Katy Rudd. The production opens at the Donmar Warehouse tomorrow, 13 June and runs until 29 July.
Gavin Lee, Bradley Jaden, and More Join STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS at the Gielgud Theatre

Full casting has been announced for Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre. Learn more about who is joining the cast here!
Which Broadway Shows Have Received the Most Tony Nominations Ever?

While many stellar productions are poised to earn multiple nominations this season, it will take quite a few to stand up to the current record holders. Below, check out which Broadway shows hold the records for the most-Tony nominated productions of all time.
Full Cast Revealed For The World Premiere of Jack Thorne's WHEN WINSTON WENT TO WAR WITH THE WIRELESS at Donmar Warehouse

With Noël Coward's Private Lives currently running until 27 May, Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Longhurst and Executive Director Henny Finch have announced full casting for the world première of Jack Thorne's play When Winston Went to War with the Wireless. 
Gareth Valentine Brings TALES OF A MUSICAL DIRECTOR to Crazy Coqs

Gareth Valentine has announced a three night residency at Crazy Coqs Live at Zedel with special guests two time Olivier Award winners Joanna Riding, Janie Dee and BAFTA nominated, Tony Award and US Drama Desk winner Haydn Gwynne.
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Featuring Bernadette Peters, Michael Ball & More to Release Live Album

The star-studded Sondheim's Old Friends concert will release a live album! 
Review Roundup: THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE-OFF MUSICAL Opens at the Noël Coward Theatre

Read the reviews for The Great British Bake Off Musical at the Noël Coward Theatre.
Review: THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF MUSICAL, Noël Coward Theatre

The trend for stage adaptations of already popular material shows no sign of relenting, as a musical version of everyone’s favourite autumn comfort watching comes to the West End. It transfers following a successful run at the Cheltenham Everyman last summer, and stars Haydn Gwynne and John Owen-Jones as judges Pam Lee and Phil Hollinghurst (although we know who they’re really supposed to be). Welcome to The Great British Bake Off Musical!
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Broadcast Date and Time Confirmed

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends will be broadcast on BBC Two on 31 December at 5.35pm and then available on the BBC iPlayer. Performances will include Bernadette Peters singing 'Losing My Mind' from Follies and Imelda Staunton singing 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' from Gypsy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Haydn Gwynne been in?

Haydn Gwynne has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Haydn Gwynne been in?

Haydn Gwynne has appeared on London's West End in 4 shows.

What was Haydn Gwynne's first West End show?

Haydn Gwynne's first West End show was City of Angels which opened in 1993

What awards has Haydn Gwynne been nominated for?

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Best Featured Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Billy Elliot, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Billy Elliot the Musical, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Billy Elliot, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Billy Elliot, The Musical, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for the Musical, Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Billy Elliot and Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for City Of Angels.

What awards has Haydn Gwynne won?

Haydn Gwynne has won the following awards: Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Billy Elliot; Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Billy Elliot the Musical; Performance at the Theatre World Awards for Billy Elliot; and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for the musical.

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