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BritishTV.com Newsletter: Celia Imrie & Thursday Murder Club News
Published 3 months ago • 6 min read
Next week, British actress Celia Imrie will turn 72 on the 15th. To mix things up a little, we thought it might be fun to take a closer look at her life, her novels, and some of her acting work which is available to stream - especially since she's going to be starring in one of the biggest British films of the next couple years (more on that in a moment).
Early Roles
Upstairs, Downstairs - Though not a main character, you can spot a 22-year-old Imrie in the role of Jenny in the episodes "Missing Believed Killed" and "If You Were the Only Girl in the World".
To the Manor Born - Imrie appeared in two episodes of this classic Britcom - as Polly in "A Touch of Class" in season 1 and as a surgery receptionist in "Vive Le Sport" in season 2.
Bergerac - One of Imrie's best-known early roles was when she played Marianne for 8 episodes in season 2. Set on the island of Jersey, it starred John Nettles (Midsomer Murders) as DS Jim Bergerac - and at the moment, they're filming a modern adaptation of the series.
More Recent Roles
For a number of years, Imrie's on-screen career was fairly quiet - a few movies and fairly consistent guest roles on a variety of shows, but nothing too memorable until she starred in Dinnerladies (which is sadly not available to stream in the US). Some of the performances you CAN stream, however, include...
Bridget Jones's Diary - Renee Zellweger starred in this now-classic adaptation of Helen Fielding's novel about a single woman who kept a diary while trying to improve herself. She also appears in the later Bridget Jones films.
Love in a Cold Climate - This film follows three young women trying to find love in 1930s England as the world moves towards chaos. Imrie plays Aunt Sadie.
Calendar Girls - In a small Yorkshire town, a group of women put together a nude calendar to raise funds for cancer research.
Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle - Timothy Spall stars as Malcolm Harvey, a teacher who comes to terms with his difficult past during a school trip to Salisbury Cathedral. Imrie plays Miss Davis.
Wah-Wah - This 2005 film follows a young man as he watches his parents' marriage fall apart during the last gasp of the British Empire in Swaziland in the late 60s. Imrie plays Lady Riva Hardwick.
Kingdom - Easily one of her best TV roles to date, Kingdom follows Stephen Fry as Peter Kingdom, a small-town solicitor in Norfolk. Imrie plays his secretary, Gloria, who's recovering from the death of her husband as she raises her child (played by her real-life son, Angus).
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel - With Dames Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Penelope Wilton alongside Imrie, this is one where you can probably skip reading the description and just go watch it. It follows a group of British retirees who think they're going to retire to a newly-restored hotel in India...only to find it's not quite what was advertised.
St. Trinian's - Imrie plays Matron in this 2007 comedy about a group of troubled young ladies who stage a robbery in hopes of saving their school.
Better Things - This American TV series follows an actress raising her three daughters while working in Hollywood - and Imrie appears in 50 out of 52 episodes as Phyllis (the lead character's British mum).
Love and Marriage - When Pauline (Alison Steadman) decides she's sick of her immediate family, she moves in with her quirky sister Rowan - played by Imrie.
Thursday Murder Club Casting (UPDATED) - Netflix continues to announce new additions to the Thursday Murder Club cast, and we've just updated with the latest (including Tom Ellis of Lucifer and Miranda).
Upcoming Roles for Celia Imrie
This year, Imrie will be spending much of the time around her birthday on the set of the Thursday Murder Club film.
Though we imagine most of our readers will have heard of the upcoming Netflix production, we'll summarise for those who've missed out. Thursday Murder Club is based on the mystery novels by British TV presenter Richard Osman (Pointless, QI).
At an upscale retirement community in Kent, a group of residents get together each week to look at old murder cases and investigate what might have happened - until, of course, murder happens on their own doorstep and they become proper amateur sleuths. Each of the club members brings a unique set of skills - former spy Elizabeth, psychiatrist Ibrahim, former union leader Ron, and former nurse Joyce. Along with DC Donna de Freitas and her supervisor DCI Chris Hudson, they're able to unravel all sorts of cases that left the police stumped.
Though it's what most people would call a "cosy" mystery, it doesn't shy away from difficult topics and complex plots.
Imrie will also be appearing in the following upcoming productions, all of which are in some stage of production:
Genuine Fakes - This film tells the story of two very different men who crossed paths and went on to orchestrate one of the 20th century's biggest cases of art fraud. Cast members will include Imrie, Derek Jacobi, and Peter Firth.
The Temptation of Gracie - Gracie Burton, a widow living quietly in Devon, treats herself to a cookery course in an Italian castello. She brings along her estranged daughter Carina and teenage granddaughter Anastasia. Amidst the beauty of Italy, the three women reconnect, and Gracie begins to confront a secret she has hidden for over 40 years. Cast members will include Imrie, Isla Fisher, Andie MacDowell, Isabella Rossellini, and Rupert Everett.
The Inn at the Edge of the World - Five people respond to an advert about escaping Christmas in London to retreat to an inn off the west coast of Scotland. Along with Imrie, we can expect to see Joanna Lumley, Charles Dance, Peter Firth, Stephen Mangan, and more.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy - This follow-up to the classic rom-com film will include Imrie, Hugh Grant, Renee Zellweger, Emma Thompson, Isla Fisher, Jim Broadbent, Joanna Scanlan, Shirley Henderson, and more.
Many people don't realise Celia Imrie is not just an actress - she's also written a number of novels for adults.
Not Quite Nice (2015) - Theresa has been forced into early retirement and she's desperate for a change - so she sells her house and moves to a lovely town just outside of Nice (where Imrie herself has a home). She gets to know a group of fellow expats, but soon finds it's not quite as nice as it all seems. It was followed up by...
Sail Away (2018) - Suzy Marshall, a former TV star over sixty, takes a role on a cruise ship after her play is canceled. Meanwhile, Amanda Herbert, homeless due to a failed apartment purchase, joins the cruise to save money. As they embark, they encounter questionable characters, strange dealings, and unexpected rewards, all set against the old-world glamour of the cruise ship.
Orphans of the Storm (2021) - In 1911 Nice, France, Marcella Navratil, a 21-year-old mother of two, decides to divorce her cruel and controlling husband, Michael. As they await the custody decision, Michael receives life-changing news. Meanwhile, New York socialite Margaret Hays, touring Europe, decides to return home on the world's most celebrated steamer. As the ship sails for America, carrying two infants with false names, the lives of Marcella, Michael, and Margaret intersect, altering their futures forever.
Meet Me At Rainbow Corner (2024) - In 1944 London, amidst air raids and wartime strife, Dot Gallagher arrives from Liverpool to serve as a nurse. While taking shelter in a tube station, she joins a group of American soldiers dancing to a gramophone. One soldier tells her about Rainbow Corner, a social club for US troops in Piccadilly. Intrigued, Dot applies to be a dance hostess.There, she finds a haven free from wartime constraints, complete with luxuries like donuts, chewing gum, and cola. Dot makes lasting friendships, especially with Lilly, who works for the Colonel.
We are all gone in the blink of an eye, and there is nothing to do but live while you’re waiting.
Richard Osman, Thursday Murder Club: The Man Who Died Twice
British TV news for American audiences. Enjoy British TV shows like Sherlock, Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, or Midsomer Murders? Wish it was easier to know when new shows are out on each of the different streaming services? Want a way to discover older British shows you might like? Sign up and we'll keep you updated.
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