Charmian May

Charmian May
Photo: 1981 West End programme
Born
Charmian Rosemary May

(1937-06-16)16 June 1937
Purbrook, Hampshire, England
Died24 October 2002(2002-10-24) (aged 65)
Purbrook, Hampshire, England
OccupationActress
Years active1962–2002

Charmian Rosemary May (16 June 1937 – 24 October 2002) was an English character actress best known for her television and film roles. She appeared in the sitcoms The Good Life, The Upper Hand and Keeping Up Appearances, and the film Bridget Jones's Diary.[1][2] She appeared as Miss Pershore in episodes 6 and 7 of The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976).[2]

She also appeared in The Worst Witch as Miss Pentangle, in Weirdsister College as Prof. Alicia Thunderblast, and she was Miss Milton in the Yorkshire Television series, You're Only Young Twice.[3][4][5]

Amongst her stage work, May was in the original production of 84, Charing Cross Road at Salisbury Playhouse, and its West End transfer, in 1981.[6] She also toured in the 1970s in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, playing Lady Bracknell.

Death

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She died from cancer on 24 October 2002, aged 65.[2] A service of thanksgiving for the life of the actress was held at St Paul's, Covent Garden on 23 May 2003.

Filmography

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Television
Year Title Role Notes
1968 Mr. Rose Nemone Regan Series 2, episode 3
1974 The Fortunes of Nigel Martha Trapbois Miniseries (episodes 3, 4 & 5)
1974–75 Second Time Around Joan Series 1–2 (5 episodes)
1975 My Honourable Mrs Joyce Harper Series 1, episode 2
1976 The Good Life Mrs. Weaver Series 2, episodes 6 & 7
1976 Within These Walls Sarah Lang Series 4, episode 1
1976 The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin Miss Pershore Series 1, episodes 6 & 7
1977 Miss Jones and Son Miss Chalcott Series 1, episode 4
1977–81 You're Only Young Twice Miss Marjorie Milton Series 1–4 (main role, 31 episodes)
1977 The Duchess of Duke Street Danish Countess Series 2, episode 16
1978 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Mrs. Camel Series 1, episode 1
1978 This Is Your Life Herself Series 18, episode 12 (Pat Coombs)
1979 Prince Regent Lady Ann Hamilton Series 1, episode 8
1980 The Gentle Touch Mrs. Ridgeway Series 1, episode 5
1980 Rings on Their Fingers Shop Assistant Series 3, episode 1
1980 The Professionals Miss Piper Series 4, episode 15
1981 Bognor Dog Woman Series 1, episode 15
1982 Educating Marmalade Clara Coalhouse Series 1, episode 4
1983 Nanny Miss Vita Baggs Series 3, episode 3
1983 Tears Before Bedtime Miss Ledbetter Series 1, episode 2 & 3
1984 Letty Mrs. Gore Series 1, episodes 3 & 4
1987 A Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery Miss Hillyard Series 1, episodes 8, 9 & 10
1987 My Family and Other Animals Melanie Series 1, episode 5
1989 The New Statesman Game Show Producer Series 2, episode 2
1989 The Nineteenth Hole Miranda Series 1 (4 episodes)
1990 Screen One Consultant Series 2, episode 5
1990–92 Keeping Up Appearances Councillor Mrs. Nugent Series 1–3 (3 episodes)
1991 Poirot Lady Runcorn Series 3, episode 7
1991 The Sharp End Mrs. Hemstock Series 1, episode 2
1992 The Old Boy Network Secretary Series 1, episode 1
1992 Harry Enfield's Television Programme Series 2, episode 2
1992 Sean's Show Scriptwriter Series 1, episode 6
1992 The Upper Hand Dr. Barratt Series 4, episode 5
1992 The Darling Buds of May Gerry Lubbock Series 2, episode 7
1994 Love Hurts Dorothea Series 3, episode 9
1995 The Politician's Wife Mrs. Lucas Miniseries (3 episodes)
1995 Soldier Soldier Mrs. Tredwell Series 5, episode 5
1997 Touching Evil Dr. Wanda Galley Series 1, episode 1
1997 Pie in the Sky Mrs Truman Series 5, episode 1
1998 The Bill Helen Forsyth Series 14, episodes 20 & 21
1998 The Bill Magistrate Series 14, episode 94
2000 The Worst Witch Mrs. Pentangle Series 3, episode 4
2001 Kavanagh QC Judge Hanover Special: "The End of Law"
2001 Midsomer Murders Miss Marian Leonard Series 4, episode 3
2001–02 Weirdsister College Alicia Thunderblast Series 1 (7 episodes)
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1979 Follow You Follow Me Peter's Mother Short
1982 Britannia Hospital Miss Diamond
1984 It's Going to Be Alright Frances Birkett Television film
1988 The Dawning Celia Brabazon
1990 Paper Mask Radiographer
1990 The Fool
1991 A Demon in My View [fr] Aunt Gracie
1995 P.R.O.B.E.: The Devil of Winterborne Mrs. Barbara Tabole Direct-to-video film
1996 P.R.O.B.E.: Ghosts of Winterborne Margaret Wyndham Direct-to-video film
2000 Highlander: Endgame Lady
2001 Bridget Jones's Diary Mrs. Darcy

References

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  1. ^ "Charmian May | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Charmian May". BFI. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018.
  3. ^ "The Witchy Hour (2000)". BFI. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021.
  4. ^ "The Seventh Sense (2001)". BFI. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018.
  5. ^ "You're Only Young Twice – Nostalgia Central". nostalgiacentral.com. 28 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Production of 84 Charing Cross Road | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
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