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Linda Bassett

Highest Rated: 86% Alive and Kicking (1996)

Lowest Rated: 26% Mary Reilly (1996)

Birthday: Feb 4, 1950

Birthplace: Kent, England, UK

Though born in Pluckley, a small village in Kent, England, Linda Bassett moved early on to the Pimlico region of London. It was there the youngster developed a passion for drama, as she and her family often watched classic plays at the Old Vic Theatre (where Bassett eventually found work as an usher). Her passion for acting blossomed during her Old Vic tenure, and after one year at Leeds University (as an English student), Bassett dropped out of school to work with a community drama group. These years working in small, local productions were vastly important for the budding actress, who had never received "proper" training. In 1982, at age 32, Bassett finally broke through on Broadway, and she spent the rest of that decade building a solid stage and screen reputation. Transitioning to film came easily--her first big-screen role was a starring spot in the 1987 drama "Waiting for the Moon." Her work throughout the '90s, however, was typically of the TV variety, including one-off and multi-episode stints on popular programs like police procedural "The Bill" and detective drama "A Touch of Frost." Though well-respected by both her peers and critics, Bassett was never a household name during this period--but in 1999, she delivered her break-out film performance, earning a Best Actress BAFTA nomination for her role as Ella Khan. Throughout the '00s, Bassett continued to find quality character work in films like the 2008 drama "The Reader" and shows like the BBC sitcom "Grandma's House."

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Highest rated movies

86% 66% Alive and Kicking
Watchlist
80% 84% The Hours
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80% 51% Haunted
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80% 85% Beautiful People
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79% 78% East Is East
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73% 77% The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Watchlist
73% 67% Calendar Girls
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72% 47% Separate Lies
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67% 65% Oscar and Lucinda
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63% 55% West Is West
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Filmography

Movies

Credit
73% 77% The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Queenie (Character) - 2023
44% 41% Effie Gray Anna (Character) - 2014
63% 55% West Is West Ella Khan (Character) - 2010
58% 74% Kinky Boots Melanie (Character) $1.8M 2005
72% 47% Separate Lies Maggie (Character) $923.3K 2005
No Score Yet No Score Yet The English Harem Monica Pringle (Character) - 2005
No Score Yet 53% Spivs Auntie Vee (Character) - 2004
73% 67% Calendar Girls Cora (Character) $31.0M 2003
No Score Yet No Score Yet Entering Blue Zone Nurse Nina (Character) - 2003
80% 84% The Hours Nelly (Character) $41.6M 2002
No Score Yet 52% The Martins Anthea (Character) - 2001
No Score Yet 38% Don Quixote The Housekeeper (Character) - 2000
No Score Yet No Score Yet Don Quijote Unknown (Character) - 2000
80% 85% Beautiful People Nurse (Character) $261.4K 1999
79% 78% East Is East Ella (Character) $4.2M 1999
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Life & Crimes of William Palmer Mary Thornton (Character) - 1998
67% 65% Oscar and Lucinda Betty Stratton (Character) $1.6M 1997
No Score Yet No Score Yet Loved Up Mother (Character) - 1996
26% 40% Mary Reilly Mary's Mother (Character) $5.5M 1996
86% 66% Alive and Kicking Doctor (Character) $294.5K 1996
80% 51% Haunted Madame Brontski (Character) - 1995
No Score Yet No Score Yet A Small Dance Sandra Matkin (Character) - 1991
No Score Yet 80% Traffik Unknown (Character) - 1989
No Score Yet No Score Yet Paris by Night Janet Swanton (Character) - 1988
44% 77% Waiting for the Moon Gertrude Stein (Character) - 1987

TV

Credit
83% 94% C.B. Strike Joan Nancarrow (Character) 2022 2024
No Score Yet 95% Call the Midwife Nurse Phyllis (Character) 2015-2024
No Score Yet No Score Yet Twirlywoos Narrator 2015-2017
71% No Score Yet Spies of Warsaw Unknown (Character) 2013
No Score Yet No Score Yet Grandma's House Grandma (Character) 2010 2012
No Score Yet No Score Yet Lark Rise to Candleford Queenie Turrill (Character) 2008-2011
No Score Yet 80% Sense and Sensibility Mrs Jennings (Character) 2008
No Score Yet No Score Yet Heartbeat Unknown (Guest Star) 2005
No Score Yet No Score Yet The Brief Maureen Tyler (Character) 2005
No Score Yet No Score Yet Masterpiece Theatre Unknown (Character) 1998-1999
No Score Yet No Score Yet Love on the Rocks Unknown (Character) 1994