It feels as if Penelope Wilton has been around forever. She’s an instant signifier of class and comfort and quintessential middle Englishness. More of a fixture on the small screen than the big, her natural warmth has been globally showcased in Downton Abbey (and currently in pants drama Brief Encounters). But there is more to her than just an immaculately cosy facade: in The BFG, out today, Steven Spielberg channels a latent imperiousness. Other roles have drawn out frustration, even spite.
Here are five key big-screen Wilton performances.
Clockwise (1986)
A classic Wilton riff, showcased early in the underrated John Cleese farce. Wilton plays a former girlfriend of Cleese’s embattled headteacher, roped into driving him and a pupil across Norfolk, dodging the cops and heading into mayhem. She begins cheery, becomes tolerant, then maddened, then goes awol.
Cry Freedom (1987)
Richard Attenborough’s apartheid drama was a big deal back in the late 80s; banned in South Africa, but a critical hit, with multiple Oscar and Bafta nods. Wilton takes third billing, as the wife of journalist Donald Woods (Kevin Kline), who becomes friends with black activist Steve Biko (Denzel Washington). Wilton’s natural compassion shines through, especially as she’s torn between supporting the cause she knows to be correct, and concern for the safety of her family.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Simon Pegg shrewdly spotted how fantastic it can be when Wilton lets rip: the surprise and sadness of her being, actually, a bit evil. Barbara is utterly lovely through almost all of the movie … except, of course, once she’s turned into a hissing zombie. But Wilton even manages to inject pathos into dead eyes.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011)
Insofar as the codgers-abroad superhit had a chief villain, it was Wilton, as the pathetic, exploitative, no-fun missus of much-more-game Bill Nighy. In this initial clip we get only the slightest hint of the snootiness that is to define her character, as she excitedly reads out a travel brochure as hairdressing lackeys busy about.
Belle (2014)
Here, Wilton plays the unmarried governess of Dido and Elizabeth, whose position in the household depends on the largesse of her brother, played by Tom Wilkinson. Wilton manages to convey great strata of disappointment and resilience with limited dialogue and reaction shots. She’s also, typically, very funny.
