Imelda Staunton movies and TV shows span a remarkable career from 1980s British television to blockbuster franchises and acclaimed streaming dramas. She won a BAFTA for Vera Drake and earned widespread recognition as Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter series . This guide covers her most notable screen roles across film and television.
Who Is Imelda Staunton?
Imelda Staunton is an English actress and singer from Archway, London, who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art . She has won multiple Olivier Awards for stage work, including Best Actress in a Musical for Into the Woods in 1991 and Sweeney Todd in 2013 . Her screen career has earned her a BAFTA and an Academy Award nomination .
Staunton is known for her versatility, moving between dark dramas, family franchises, and animated features. She maintains a following among fans of fantasy, animation, and period films set in the 19th or 20th centuries . Her ability to portray both sympathetic and villainous characters sets her apart from many peers.
Imelda Staunton Movies
Staunton’s film work includes some of the most recognizable titles of the past two decades. Her breakout leading role came in 2004 with Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake, where she played a working-class woman who secretly performs illegal abortions . The performance won her the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and a Best Actress prize at the Venice Film Festival .
Her most widely seen film role is Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) . Critics praised her portrayal of the character’s authoritarian evil, with some noting that Umbridge felt more relatable than Lord Voldemort’s abstract villainy . Staunton herself said her performance was inspired by her views on Margaret Thatcher’s behavior .
In the Paddington film series, Staunton voices Aunt Lucy, the bear’s surrogate mother who encourages him to migrate to London . The first film earned 282.8 million dollars worldwide and was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film . She reprised the voice role in Paddington 2 (2017) and Paddington in Peru (2024) .
Staunton also voiced Bunty in Aardman’s Chicken Run (2000) and its sequel Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023) . In Maleficent (2014), she played the pixie Knotgrass alongside Angelina Jolie . Her role as Lady Maud Bagshaw in the Downton Abbey films (2019, 2022) continued the franchise’s theatrical run .
Other notable film credits include Pride (2014), where she played Welsh activist Hefina, and Finding Your Feet (2017), a romantic comedy where she starred as Sandra Abbott . Both films demonstrate her range in British ensemble dramas and character-driven comedies.Quick Bio: Imelda Staunton
Imelda Staunton TV Shows
Staunton’s television career stretches back to the 1980s with roles in The Singing Detective (1986) and the sitcom Is It Legal? (1995–1998) . She played Miss Pole in the BBC period drama Cranford (2007–2009), a role that showcased her talent for eccentric character work .
In Psychoville (2011), Staunton appeared as Grace Andrews in the second series of the dark comedy . That same year, she voiced the Interface in the Doctor Who episode “The Girl Who Waited,” a performance that contributed to the episode’s Hugo Award nomination .
Staunton portrayed Alma Reville Hitchcock in the HBO television film The Girl (2012), starring opposite Toby Jones and Sienna Miller . This role further demonstrated her ability to inhabit real historical figures with nuance.
Her most prominent recent television role is Queen Elizabeth II in the final two seasons of Netflix’s The Crown (2022–2023) . Taking over from Olivia Colman, Staunton played the monarch during a period of significant personal and public challenges for the royal family. She also starred as Penny in the Apple TV+ comedy Trying (2020–2021) .
Other television credits include A Confession (2019), Flesh and Blood (2020), and Talking Heads (2020) . Her early television work includes Up the Garden Path (1990–1993), where she played the lead role of Izzy Comyn across 18 episodes .
Career Highlights and Awards
Staunton’s awards record reflects her exceptional range across stage and screen. She has won five Olivier Awards, most recently in 2025 for Hello, Dolly! at The London Palladium . Her Olivier wins also include Best Actress in a Musical for Gypsy (2016) and Best Supporting Role for A Chorus of Disapproval and The Corn is Green .
For Vera Drake, she won the BAFTA for Best Actress and was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama . She received an Academy Award nomination for the same role, though she did not win . Her performance as Dolores Umbridge earned a nomination for British Actress in a Supporting Role at the London Film Critics Circle Awards .
Staunton’s stage career has been equally decorated. Beyond her Olivier wins, she performed in the 2017 National Theatre revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Follies . Her ability to sustain a career across stage, film, and television for over four decades is rare among British actors.
Where to Watch Her Work
Staunton’s filmography is spread across multiple streaming platforms, with availability varying by region. The Harry Potter films are generally available on major streaming services and for digital rental. The Paddington films and Downton Abbey movies are also widely accessible through subscription and transactional platforms.
The Crown is a Netflix original, so it remains exclusive to that service . Trying is an Apple TV+ production . Her earlier television work, including Cranford and Psychoville, may be available through BBC iPlayer or other British streaming services depending on your location.
For viewers new to her work, Vera Drake offers the best introduction to her dramatic capabilities. The Harry Potter films showcase her talent for villainy, while Paddington reveals her warmth as a voice actor. The Crown demonstrates her ability to carry a prestige drama as a lead.
Conclusion
Imelda Staunton’s filmography reflects a career built on range rather than typecasting. She has played villains, matriarchs, activists, and monarchs with equal conviction. Her BAFTA-winning turn in Vera Drake and her Olivier-winning stage work cement her status as one of Britain’s finest actors . Whether voicing a bear’s aunt or portraying Queen Elizabeth II, Staunton brings depth and precision to every role.
What is Imelda Staunton best known for? She is best known for playing Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films and Queen Elizabeth II in the final seasons of The Crown. She also won a BAFTA Award for her leading role in Vera Drake.
Did Imelda Staunton win any awards for Vera Drake? Yes. Her performance as Vera Drake earned her the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival. She was also nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for the same role.
Which TV shows has Imelda Staunton appeared in? Beyond The Crown, she played Miss Pole in Cranford, Grace Andrews in Psychoville, Alma Reville Hitchcock in The Girl, and Penny in Trying. Her early television work includes The Singing Detective and Up the Garden Path.
What animated films has Imelda Staunton voiced characters in? She voiced Bunty in Chicken Run and its sequel Dawn of the Nugget, Aunt Lucy in the Paddington films, and Margaret Claus in Arthur Christmas. She also voiced Queen Victoria in The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists!.
Did Imelda Staunton play Queen Elizabeth II before The Crown? Yes. She previously portrayed Queen Elizabeth in the 2003 television series Cambridge Spies, long before taking on the role in The Crown for its fifth and sixth seasons.
