|
|
Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lamond Lumley – born 1st May, 1946 in Srinagar – is an actress/model turned human rights activist, whose prolific acting career and political work have firmly secured her place in the public eye as a national treasure.
At an early age, Lumley and her family moved from the princely state of Jamme and Kashmir to Malaya, before finally settling in Kent, England. In her twenties, Lumley cashed in on her good looks and slender frame as a model but soon discovered a hidden passion for acting. Her first on-screen performance, in 1969, was for a bread commercial which was later followed by a brief stint on The Bruce Forsyth Show and memorable cameo roles in Coronation Street and Are You Being Served?
In the 1970s Lumley’s big break came when she was cast as Purdey in The New Avengers – a role which inspired the ‘Purdey bob’ hair do. As the seventies came to a close Lumley continued her television success with another action-packed role as Sapphire in ITV’s answer to Doctor Who, Sapphire and Steel.
A lull in the eighties was followed by the emergence of Lumley’s most famous and comical role to date; playing Patsy Stone, alongside Jennifer Saunders, in the delightfully crass comedy Absolutely Fabulous. From 1992 to 2005 Lumley became synonymous with her vodka swilling, chain smoking alter ego. However, not wanting to be completely typecast in her Ab Fab role Lumley immersed herself in several other projects. Her performance in A Rather English Marriage won a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in 1999. She was also awarded an OBE in 1995.
After almost thirty years of success as an actress, Lumley shifted her focus from the small screen to Downing Street. In 2008 she became a major player in the Gurkha Justice Campaign. Lumley famously came head-to head with the government over the rights to let Gurkha veterans, who had served in the British Army before 1997, settle in Britain. After almost a year struggling to make a difference Lumley finally emerged victorious in aiding the Nepalese natives their right to reside in Britain. Lumley’s campaigning skills earned her both the public and the government’s respect and even prompted calls for her to become a Member of Parliament – which she later dismissed.
Lumley’s charitable work also extends to several charities including; CIWF and Viva!, Book Aid International, the Born Free Foundation, the Free Tibet campaign, Mind, ActionAid, SANE and the Burma Campaign UK.
What members say |
Filmography
| Watch online (2)
Joanna Lumley - what members say
Joanna Lumley - filmography
-
-
Joanna Lumley - Catwoman
(2009)
Starring: Joanna Lumley
Certificate: 
National treasure Joanna Lumley, travels the world to meet fellow cat-lovers and feline-fans, and to explore the origins of our unique relationship with the creature. From the domestic tabby to the wild cheetah, Joanna's cultural journey takes in Egypt, Japan, North America, Mexico, the UK and more...read more »
Rate this:
 
52%
from 4 members
Awaiting stock
-
-
Sensitive Skin - Series 2
on DVD
(2007)
Starring: Joanna Lumley, Denis Lawson
Certificate: 
Sensitive Skin looks at life through the eyes of a successful couple living in metropolitan London. Along with their friends, Al and Davina Jackson struggle with sexual temptation and professional jealousy and try to cope with their fear of the future.
Rate this:
80%
from 117 members
-
-
Jam And Jerusalem - Series 1
(2 discs)
on DVD
(2007)
Starring: Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Sue Johnston
Director: Mandie Fletcher
Certificate: 
With a superb ensemble cast, this is a hilarious and heart-warming comedy from Jennifer Saunders, the writer and star of Absolutely Fabulous. The Women's Guild: its ideals are to promote truth, justice, tolerance and fellowship - or is it just an excuse for a good old gossip? Clatterford is a small ..read more »
Rate this:
78%
from 423 members
-
-
Sensitive Skin
on DVD
(2005)
Starring: Denis Lawson, Joanna Lumley
Director: Hugo Blick
Certificate:
SESITIVE SKIN is a dark comedy focusing on Davina and Al – an age-fearing professional couple living in London and the wacky friends and relatives that orbit them.
Rate this:
71%
from 272 members
-
-
Ella Enchanted
on DVD
(2004)
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes
Director: Tommy O'Haver
Certificate: 
Ella is under a spell to be constantly obedient, a fact she must hide from her new step-family in order to protect the prince of the land, her friend for whom she's falling.
Rate this:
62%
from 13,789 members
-
-
Up In Town
on DVD
(2002)
Starring: Joanna Lumley
Director: Hugo Blick
Certificate:
Joanna Lumley stars as fading socialite Madison Blakelock in the six moving monologues of this BBC series. Madison is still coming to terms with her 'new' life, 18 years after her husband went to work 'up in town' and did not return.
Rate this:
59%
from 130 members
-
-
Cat's Meow
on DVD
(2002)
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Edward Herrmann, Eddie Izzard
Director: Peter Bogdanovich
Certificate:
In November 1924, multimillionaire William Randolph Hearst (Edward Herrmann) hosts a weekend of festivities aboard his 220-foot steamer in honor of filmmaker Thomas Ince's (Cary Elwes) birthday. It seems that everyone on board wants something from Hearst. Ince and his partner, George Thomas (Victor ..read more »
Rate this:
52%
from 2,532 members
-
-
Maybe Baby
on DVD
(2000)
Starring: Hugh Laurie, Joely Richardson, Tom Hollander
Director: Ben Elton
Certificate:
Watch now: £2.49
Novelist-playwright-comedian-screenwriter-television writer Ben Elton (THE YOUNG ONES, BLACKADDER) tries his busy hand at directing with MAYBE BABY, a short, sweet romantic comedy about a couple very much in love but having difficulty conceiving a child. Hugh Laurie (Sam) and Joely Richardson (Lucy)..read more »
Rate this:
57%
from 2,687 members
-
-
Mad Cows
on DVD
(1999)
Starring: Joanna Lumley, Anna Friel, Greg Wise
Director: Sarah Sugarman
Certificate:
In MAD COWS, Anna Friel stars as Maddy, a feisty single mother from Australia with few friends in the world, apart from the fabulous Gillian (Joanna Lumley). While searching for her baby's father, the irresponsible Alex (Greg Wise), Maddy is nabbed for unwittingly stealing a bag of frozen peas from ..read more »
Rate this:
41%
from 235 members
-
-
Parting Shots
(1999)
Starring: Chris Rea, Felicity Kendal, Bob Hoskins
Director: Michael Winner
Certificate: 
Harry only has a short time to live - but the prognosis is even worse for his enemies. An all-star cast shines in this hilarious black comedy about getting even - and getting away with it.
Rate this:
19%
from 10 members
-
-
James And The Giant Peach
on DVD
(1996)
Starring: Joanna Lumley, Miriam Margolyes, Pete Postlethwaite
Director: Henry Selick
Certificate: 
After James's parents are killed by a rogue rhinoceros, he is forced to live with his nasty aunts far from any kind of fun. But when a gigantic peach begins growing in the yard and James befriends the large insects who live inside, he sees a way to escape from his wicked aunts to New York City. ..read more »
Rate this:
62%
from 4,461 members
-
-
The Forgotten Toys
on DVD
(1995)
Starring: Bob Hoskins, Joanna Lumley, Clement Freud
Director: Graham Ralph
Certificate:
Hibbert Ralph presents the heartwarming adventures of the Forgotten Toys, a refined rag doll named Annie and a grumpy teddy bear named Teddy who have been cast aside in favor of newer toys by their fickle owner. In "Forgotten Again," Teddy and Annie find themselves stuffed into a holdall bag, which ..read more »
Rate this:
58%
from 199 members
-
-
Absolutely Fabulous - Series 5 - Complete
(2 discs)
on DVD
(1992)
Starring: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Julia Sawalha
Certificate:
Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley return to create more excessive substance and human abuse in another season of ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS. The BBC series has become a perverse favorite all over the world as Edina and Patsy continue in their inspired comedic debauchery. This season features eight new ..read more »
Rate this:
70%
from 2,465 members
-
-
A Ghost In Monte Carlo
on DVD
(1990)
Starring: Samantha Eggar, Oliver Reed, Sarah Miles
Director: John Hough
Certificate:
A British nobleman, a beautiful young woman, and a Rajah are only part of the cast of characters in Barbara Cartland's tale of romance, murder, and mystery. Featured actors include Lysette Anthony, Lewis Collins, Oliver Reed, Joanna Lumley, and Christopher Plummer.
Rate this:
50%
from 82 members
-
-
Shirley Valentine
on DVD
(1989)
Starring: Pauline Collins, Tom Conti, Bernard Hill
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Certificate:
Watch now: £2.49
An unpredictable, wisecracking, bored English housewife accepts an invitation from a friend to a vacation in Greece and rediscovers her zest for life and love.
Rate this:
69%
from 4,987 members
-
-
Curse Of The Pink Panther
on DVD
(1982)
Starring: David Niven, Robert Wagner, Capucine
Director: Blake Edwards
Certificate:
When inspector Clouseau is declared missing, another inept detective is hired to solve the mystery. This latest in the series of Pink Panther films features an outstanding score by Henry Mancini.
Rate this:
53%
from 421 members
-
-
Sapphire And Steel - Assignments 1-6
(6 discs)
(1979)
Starring: David McCallum, Joanna Lumley
Director: Shaun O'Riordan, David Foster
Certificate:
Unfortunately this title is currently unavailable for rental. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.
This unusual late 1970s/early 1980s sci-fi series features Joanna Lumley and David McCallum as Sapphire and Steel (respectively), otherworldly operatives who appear as humans on ..read more »
Rate this:
72%
from 619 members
Not available for rental
-
-
The New Avengers
(8 discs)
on DVD
(1976)
Starring: Patrick Macnee, Joanna Lumley
Director: Desmond Davis, Ray Austin, Robert Fuest
Certificate:
Returning to TV screens in 1976 after being absent for some seven years, John Steed (Patrick Macnee) and a Mrs. Peel replacement known as Purdy (Joanna Lumley) resurface to do battle with the criminal underclass in this quintessentially British spinoff.
Rate this:
71%
from 341 members
-
-
Plank, The / It's Your Move
(1967)
Starring: Eric Sykes, Frankie Howerd, Joanna Lumley
Director: Eric Sykes
Certificate:
Watch now: Subscribe and watch this as part of an unlimited package.
Unfortunately this title is currently unavailable for rental. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.This collection presents two classic Eric Sykes programmes. Sykes, of course, graduated with honors from the Benny Hill School of British Comedy. The films also feature other comedy ..read more »
Rate this:
70%
from 1,172 member
Not available for rental
-
-
Pony Tales - Vol. 1
on DVD
Starring: Joanna Lumley
Certificate:
Includes the magical stories 'Little Bertie' and 'Birthday Surprise'. Plus, experience a visit to a real stable!
Rate this:
45%
from 42 members
-
-
Joanna Lumley In The Land Of The Norther...
on DVD
Starring: Joanna Lumley
Certificate:
An amazing journey in Norway's Far North as Joanna Lumley pursues a lifelong dream to track down the elusive, stunningly beautiful Northern Lights.
Joanna grew up in tropical Malaysia, and as a little girl never saw snow or felt cold. Inspired by fairytales and picture books, she always longed ..read more »
Rate this:
72%
from 71 members
Joanna Lumley - watch online
-
-
Maybe Baby
to Watch Now
(2000)
Starring: Hugh Laurie, Joely Richardson, Tom Hollander
Director: Ben Elton
Certificate: 
Watch now: £2.49
Run time: 101 minutes
MAYBE BABY is the story of Sam and Lucy, an irresistible couple who seem to have everything - good looks, successful careers, matching motorbikes and an enthusiastic love life. The only thing they lack is the one thing that they really want - a baby. Sam sets his sights on writing a successful ..read more »
Rate this:
49%
from 35 members
-
-
Shirley Valentine
to Watch Now
(1989)
Starring: Pauline Collins, Tom Conti, Julia McKenzie
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Certificate:
Watch now: £2.49
Run time: 108 minutes
In the role that won her Broadway's acclaimed Tony Award, Pauline Collins is the hilariously endearing Shirley Valentine, a wisecracking, completely unpredictable English housewife who proves it's never too late to recapture your dreams. Bored with her suburban life, Shirley takes a chance on ..read more »
Rate this:
62%
from 9 members
|
Joanna Lumley facts
|
Absolutely hilarious! 2 April 2004
...Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley are magnificent as two mad women on the make, on the bottle, and on the pill. With a supporting cast of equally talented actors, this ear...
