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Imelda Staunton

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BIO

Stanton, an accomplished stage and screen star, recently performed on stage in the West End in Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Follies. Prior to that, she delivered an Olivier Award-winning performance as Mama Rose in Gypsy. Amongst her many other theatre credits, notable performances include Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd, for which she won an Olivier Award, Circle, Mirror, Transformation for the Royal Court and the role of Claire in Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance at The Almeida Theatre. In total, Staunton has been nominated for eleven Olivier Awards, winning four. On film Staunton is perhaps best known for playing the title role in Vera Drake, for which she received the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and for the role of Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Hello, Dolly! Hello, Dolly!
[West End]
2024
Hello, Dolly! Hello, Dolly!
[West End]
West End Revival, 2020
Dolly Gallagher Levi
Follies Follies
[West End]
National Theatre Premiere, 2017
Sally Durrant Plummer
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
[West End]
West End Revival, 2017
Martha [Replacement]
Gypsy Gypsy
[West End]
West End Revival Production, 2015
Mama Rose
Good People Good People
[West End]
West End Transfer, 2014
Margaret
Sweeney Todd Sweeney Todd
[West End]
Chichester Festival Theatre Production, 2012
Mrs Lovett
Guys and Dolls
[West End]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1996
Miss Adelaide
Into the Woods
[West End]
London Production, 1990
Baker's Wife
Guys and Dolls
[West End]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1982
Mimi
The Beggar's Opera
[London Fringe]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1982
Performer

Movies

Comrades
[ 1986 ] Betsy Loveless
The Heat of the Day
[ 1990 ] Louie
A Masculine Ending
[ 1992 ] Bridget Bennet
Peter's Friends
[ 1992 ] Mary Anderson
Don't Leave Me This Way
[ 1993 ] Bridget Bennet
Much Ado About Nothing
[ 1993 ] Margaret
Deadly Advice
[ 1994 ] Beth Greenwood
Mole's Christmas
[ 1994 ] - Voice
Woodcock
[ 1994 ] Edna
Citizen X
[ 1995 ] Mrs. Burakov
Sense and Sensibility
[ 1995 ] Charlotte Palmer
The Adventures of Mole
[ 1995 ] - Voice
The Snow Queen
[ 1995 ] Ivy / Angorra - Voice
The Adventures of Toad
[ 1996 ] - Voice
The Snow Queen's Revenge
[ 1996 ] Elspeth / Rowena - Voice
Twelfth Night
[ 1996 ] Maria
Remember Me?
[ 1997 ] Lorna
The Ugly Duckling
[ 1997 ] Scruffy - Voice
Shakespeare in Love
[ 1998 ] Nurse
Chicken Run
[ 2000 ] Bunty - Voice
Rat
[ 2000 ] Conchita Flynn
Another Life
[ 2001 ] Ethel Graydon
Crush
[ 2001 ] Janine
Blackball
[ 2003 ] Bridget
Bright Young Things
[ 2003 ] Lady Brown
I'll Be There
[ 2003 ] Dr. Bridget
The Virgin of Liverpool
[ 2003 ] Sylvia Conlon
Vera Drake
[ 2004 ] Vera
My Family and Other Animals
[ 2005 ] Mother
Nanny McPhee
[ 2005 ] Mrs Blatherwick
Guilty Hearts
[ 2006 ] Naomi
The Wind in the Willows
[ 2006 ] Barge Lady
Freedom Writers
[ 2007 ] Margaret Campbell
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
[ 2007 ] Dolores Umbridge
How About You...
[ 2007 ] Hazel Nightingale
A Bunch of Amateurs
[ 2008 ] Mary
Clay
[ 2008 ] Mary Doonan
Three and Out
[ 2008 ] Rosemary Cassidy
Taking Woodstock
[ 2009 ] Sonia Teichberg
Alice in Wonderland
[ 2010 ] Tall Flower Faces - Voice
Another Year
[ 2010 ] Janet
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
[ 2010 ] Dolores Umbridge
Arthur Christmas
[ 2011 ] Mrs Santa - Voice
The Awakening
[ 2011 ] Maud Hill
The Girl
[ 2012 ] Alma Reville Hitchcock
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!
[ 2012 ] Queen Victoria - Voice
Mouse and Mole at Christmas Time
[ 2013 ] Shrew - Voice
Maleficent
[ 2014 ] Knotgrass
Paddington
[ 2014 ] Aunt Lucy - Voice
Pride
[ 2014 ] Hefina
That Day We Sang
[ 2014 ] Enid
Gypsy: Live from the Savoy Theatre
[ 2015 ] Rose
Finding Your Feet
[ 2017 ] Sandra Abbott
National Theatre Live: Follies
[ 2017 ] Sally Durant Plummer
National Theatre Live: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
[ 2017 ] Martha
Paddington 2
[ 2017 ] Aunt Lucy - Voice
Downton Abbey
[ 2019 ] Maud Bagshaw
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
[ 2019 ] Knotgrass
Amulet
[ 2020 ] Sister Claire
Downton Abbey: A New Era
[ 2022 ] Maud Bagshaw
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget
[ 2023 ] Bunty - Voice

TV Shows

BBC2 Playhouse
Mary Price
Ladies in Charge
Edith
The Singing Detective
Staff Nurse White
Thompson
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries
Polly Flinders
Screenplay
Stephanie, Jane Hartman
The Play on One
Cheryl Newman
Screen Two
The Producer
Performance
Jenny Beales
If You See God, Tell Him
Muriel Spry
Up the Garden Path
[ 1990-1993 ] Izzy
Frank Stubbs
Susan
Jackanory
Storyteller
Look at the State We're in!
Councillor Johnson
Tales from the Crypt
Sarah
Is It Legal?
[ 1995-1998 ] Stella Phelps
David Copperfield
Mrs. Micawber
Midsomer Murders
Christine Cooper
The Canterbury Tales
[ 1998-2000 ] The Prioress
Murder
DCI Billie Dory
Cambridge Spies
The Queen
Strange
Reverend Mary Truegood
Fingersmith
Mrs. Sucksby
Little Britain
Mrs. Mead
ShakespeaRe-Told
Polly
Dogtown
Gwen Gregson
60/90
Nurse
Coming Up
Mother
Big and Small
[ 2008-2009 ] Ruby, Twiba
Cranford
[ 2007-2009 ] Miss Pole
Breakfast
Janet
Doctor Who
Interface
Psychoville
[ 2010-2011 ] Grace Andrews
Honest Trailers
Knotgrass
A Confession
Karen Edwards
Alan Bennett's Talking Heads 3
Irene Ruddock
Flesh and Blood
Mary
Trying
[ 2020-2021 ] Penny Wootton
The Crown
Queen Elizabeth II

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2018 - Best Actress

Imelda Staunton, Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

Olivier Awards - 2018 - Best Actress In A Musical

Imelda Staunton , Follies


winner
Olivier Awards - 2016 - Best Actress in a Musical

Imelda StauntonGypsy


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2015 - Best Musical Performance

Imelda StauntonGypsy

Olivier Awards - 2015 - Best Actress

Imelda StauntonGood People


winner
Olivier Awards - 2013 - Best Actress in a Musical

Imelda StauntonSweeney Todd

Olivier Awards - 2010 - Best Actress

Imelda StauntonEntertaining Mr Sloane

Olivier Awards - 1997 - Best Actress in a Musical

Imelda Staunton, Guys And Dolls


winner
Olivier Awards - 1991 - Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical

Imelda Staunton, Into The Woods

Olivier Awards - 1988 - Actress of the Year in a Revival

Imelda StauntonUncle Vanya

Olivier Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical

Imelda StauntonThe Wizard Of Oz


winner
Olivier Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role

Imelda StauntonA Chorus Of Disapproval at the National

Olivier Awards - 1982 - Actress of the Year in a Musical

Imelda StauntonThe Beggar's Opera

Olivier Awards - 1982 - Most Promising Newcomer of the Year in Theatre

Imelda StauntonThe Beggar's Opera

Videos

More Video

News


Imelda Staunton and Daughter Bessie Carter Will Lead MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION Photo
Imelda Staunton and Daughter Bessie Carter Will Lead MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION

Mother and daughter Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter will appear onstage together for the first time as Mrs Kitty Warren and Vivie Warren in a new production of George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs. Warren’s Profession.
The Best Reviewed Broadway Shows of 2024 Photo
The Best Reviewed Broadway Shows of 2024

44 Broadway shows opened in 2024, and while not all of them were loved by the critics, there were plenty of standouts all year long. We're breaking down the best Broadway shows of 2024 by month.
Edward Albee's A DELICATE BALANCE Announced At Island City Stage Photo
Edward Albee's A DELICATE BALANCE Announced At Island City Stage

Family secrets, friendship and loyalties drive the heart of Island City Stage's milestone production of Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play A Delicate Balance, running January 16 – February 9.
Review Roundup: GYPSY On Broadway Starring Audra McDonald Photo
Review Roundup: GYPSY On Broadway Starring Audra McDonald

Curtain up! Light the lights! Six-time Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald takes on the role of a lifetime, playing 'Mama' Rose Hovick in the classic musical, Gypsy, is now running on Broadway at the newly renovated Majestic Theatre. Read the reviews!
Critics' Choice: Aliya Al-Hassan's Women of the Year 2024 Photo
Critics' Choice: Aliya Al-Hassan's Women of the Year 2024

Who run the world? Well in 2024, the women certainly showed what they could do.
A History of GYPSY's Mama Rose and the Women Who Have Played Her Photo
A History of GYPSY's Mama Rose and the Women Who Have Played Her

Gypsy is back on Broadway, starring Audra McDonald in the iconic role of Mama Rose. BroadwayWorld is looking back on some of the performers who have taken on the musical's lead role, from Ethel Merman to Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, and more.
Emma Thompson-Penned NANNY MCPHEE Musical Eyes 2026 West End Run Photo
Emma Thompson-Penned NANNY MCPHEE Musical Eyes 2026 West End Run

The musical adaptation of the fantasy movie Nanny McPhee, written by Emma Thompson, is eyeing a run in London's West End in 2026.
Critics' Choice: Cheryl Markosky's Best Shows of 2024 Photo
Critics' Choice: Cheryl Markosky's Best Shows of 2024

Grand dame Sian Phillips stealing the show, Adam Cooper giving an unexpected twirl and smaller theatre spaces punching above their weight. These are some of BroadwayWorld reviewer Cheryl Markosky's favourite theatre moments of 2024.
PADDINGTON IN PERU Moves 2025 U.S. Release Date Photo
PADDINGTON IN PERU Moves 2025 U.S. Release Date

Despite already having debuted in the UK, Paddington in Peru will be taking even longer to arrive across the pond. The third installment in the fan-favorite franchise has shifted its 2025 US release date nearly a month from January 17 to February 14.
Review: HELLO, DOLLY! at Lido 2 Photo
Review: HELLO, DOLLY! at Lido 2

An English-language version of the classic Broadway musical playing in Paris at the Lido 2.
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Earn 4th #1 UK Album With TOGETHER AT HOME Photo
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe Earn 4th #1 UK Album With TOGETHER AT HOME

Michael Ball and Alfie Boe latest joint venture, an album titled, 'Together At Home', has hit the #1 spot on the official UK Albums Chart, making it their fourth album to do so. 
The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham Announces ALADDIN Pantomime Cast Photo
The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham Announces ALADDIN Pantomime Cast

The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham has announced the cast for its 2024 pantomime, ALADDIN, featuring local favorite Tweedy as Tweedy Twankey and Kevin Brewis as Widow Twankey.
Video: New PADDINGTON IN PERU Trailer Starring Hugh Bonneville, Antonio Banderas, & M Photo
Video: New PADDINGTON IN PERU Trailer Starring Hugh Bonneville, Antonio Banderas, & More

Sony has just released a new trailer for Paddington in Peru, the anticipated third entry in the beloved Paddington film franchise. The cast of the film includes Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Antonio Banderas, Imelda Staunton and more. Watch the trailer now!
GHOST STORIES Comes to Theatre Royal Brighton in 2025 Photo
GHOST STORIES Comes to Theatre Royal Brighton in 2025

After exhilarating audiences across the globe with record-breaking, sell-out productions and a smash hit film, Simon Friend Entertainment is delighted to announce the return of Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s supernatural sensation Ghost Stories in a full UK Tour.
How Did Broadway Do at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards? Photo
How Did Broadway Do at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards?

At The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, numerous Broadway performers and creatives were nominated for awards for their work in television- from acting accolades to recognition for excellence in writing. Several Broadway alums took home awards including Alex Edelman, Billy Crudup, and Jean Smart. Take a look at the notable winners and nominees here!
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards - Full List of Winners Photo
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards - Full List of Winners

Alex Edelman, Billy Crudup, Jean Smart, and more took home Emmy Awards tonight. The 76th Emmy Awards ceremony was broadcast live from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles Sunday, Sept. 15. Check out the full list of winners here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld July 30, 2024 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld July 30, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 30, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
STARLIGHT EXPRESS World Tour & New Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical In The Works Photo
STARLIGHT EXPRESS World Tour & New Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical In The Works

Speaking to Whats On Stage at the opening night of Hello, Dolly! starring Imelda Staunton in London, producer Michael Harrison teased two new upcoming Andrew Lloyd Webber project.
Review Roundup: Did Imelda Staunton Delight in HELLO, DOLLY! at The London Palladium? Photo
Review Roundup: Did Imelda Staunton Delight in HELLO, DOLLY! at The London Palladium?

What did the critics think of Dominic Cooke's long-delayed production?
Review: HELLO, DOLLY!, The London Palladium Photo
Review: HELLO, DOLLY!, The London Palladium

Well, we got there in the end and thankfully, it was worth the wait. Initially due to open back in 2020, Dominic Cooke’s adaptation of Hello, Dolly! has finally arrived in the West End.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Imelda Staunton been in?

Imelda Staunton has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has Imelda Staunton been in?

Imelda Staunton has appeared on London's West End in 10 shows.

What was Imelda Staunton's first West End show?

Imelda Staunton's first West End show was Guys and Dolls which opened in 1982

What awards has Imelda Staunton been nominated for?

Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?, Best Actress In A Musical (Olivier Awards) for Follies, Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Gypsy, Best Musical Performance (Evening Standard Awards) for Gypsy, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for Good People, Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for Entertaining Mr Sloane, Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Guys And Dolls, Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Into The Woods, Actress of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Wizard Of Oz, Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for A Chorus Of Disapproval at the National, Actress of the Year in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Beggar's Opera and Most Promising Newcomer of the Year in Theatre (Olivier Awards) for The Beggar's Opera.

What awards has Imelda Staunton won?

Imelda Staunton has won several prestigious awards throughout her career. These include Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Gypsy, Best Musical Performance (Evening Standard Awards) for Gypsy, and Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Sweeney Todd. She also received the award for Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Into The Woods, as well as Outstanding Performance of the Year in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for A Chorus of Disapproval at the National.

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