Dame means “Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire” (DBE) in this context. The female equivalent of a Knighthood. Judi Dench was awarded it in the 1988 New Year Honours.
For even more clarity, 'Dame' is just the female equivalent of 'Sir', indicators of high honours bestowed by royalty. And if you think that's weird, if they received the honour from the late Queen, they had to call her 'Mam'.
Coleman's overrated in my opinion but she did win an Oscar amongst many awards and is very well known internationally so it's surprising she doesn't warrant a mention.
@@hmtqnikitashakur3399Colmen has taken so many roles in so many films, you might not realise it’s her, from Hot Fuzz to The Night Manager, to Broadchurch, all cop roles and all completely different.
Much as I admire Julie Andrews, when it comes to acting, she is not in the same league as Glenda Jackson. Nor is Emma Thompson for that matter. Oh, and Glenda could do comedy as well as drama. Check her out in A Touch Of Class. As well as her iconic appearance on the Mortimer and Wise comedy show. Hilarious and brilliant.
One of Julie Walters best movies was " Educating Rita " playing opposite Michael Caine. Its about a working class Liverpool lass ,studying at a posh University. It's a quintessential English movie ( sorry " film " )
The only film where I ball uncontrollably at the very end scene when Michael Cain walks away from Julie down the airport terminal on his way to Australia knowing that "Rita" is probably his most accomplished & refined student. He transforms "Rita" back into whom she was always meant to be..."Susan"!
julie walters is one of the UK s funniest actors her timing is perfect and when she and the late great Victoria wood got together there were fireworks xxx
Dame Diana Rigg, Dame Glenda Jackson, Dame Angela Lansbury, Dame Edith Evans, Dame Margaret Rutherford, Dame Sybil Thorndyke, Dame Peggy Ashcroft, Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Sian Phillips. And that's only the Dames (it's the female equivalent of being a Knight, so Dame instead of Sir.) Then there's the wonderful Glynis Johns, (the mother in "Mary Poppins") who died today at the age of 100. Vivien Leigh, who had the lead role in "Gone With the Wind" - yes, Scarlett O'Hara was British! So many. I think one important difference between British and American actors is that they train for live theatre first, and film/TV second, so they tend to have more of a through-idea of the character based on the text. It's quite normal for someone to star in a West End show in between film or TV work - for many of them, screen time is what subsidises their first love, live theatre. I've been lucky enough to have seen Judi Dench on stage several times. She is just breathtakingly good. Always.
I think I was most dumbfounded by the total lack of recognition of Deborah Kerr, who was internationally celebrated for many years. She was an actress of skill and beauty. Her surname is pronounced ‘Carr’.
She was great (The Innocents is superb), but her last movie was over 50 years ago, and she stopped acting on TV in 1987, so it's understandable, given that old movies don't get shown a lot on TV nowadays.
Olivia de Havilland and her sister Joan Fontaine were also British / American, as was Greer Garson. Vivian Leigh of 'Gone With the Wind' fame was also British. Surprised they didn't get a mention, but I guess these videos are made for the younger generation.
I think the British actors often start in theatres and get a lot of experience that way. I always think there the difference between a Hollywood star and an actor.
Dame Judi Dench is a national treasure ❤ You should give the British TV show 'As time goes by' a look. Dame Judi's comedy timing is faultless as is her co star's Geoffrey Palmer. Fantastic family comedy.
She's a terrible corpser too. There are so many outtakes of her laughing. She clearly has a great time while working. I saw her as a very young woman in a repeated episode of Z Cars a few years back and she was brilliant even then. Brian Blessed was also very good, sans his famous beard and acting rather than hamming it up as he so often did in later years.
There’s a clip of Dame Judi Dench reciting Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29 on the Graham Norton Show and it’s absolutely spellbinding, the live audience is so silent you could hear a pin drop
Sarah Lancashire isn't well known outside of Britain, but she is a fantastic actress. World class, even. I was surprised to see that she has the lead roll in an American series, so maybe her fame is spreading. She deserves it.
@@TonyP_Yes-its-Me Well I'm Finnish and we watch a lot of British tv series and films over here. I certainly know a lot of people who loved Happy Valley and especially Sarah Lancashire''s performance in it. Can't speak for folks in other countries.
Dame Maggie Smith once said that before she starred in Harry Potter, she was just another person on the streets, able to go the shops and live her life with no real interruptions from fans. She was still a star, still well known, but Harry Potter fame was just way over the top. I think that is something alot of British actors have in common with each other, they are more grounded, more relatable and approachable. They dont go into acting for fame, atleast the older generation didnt, they went into it because they love the craft. Every time i watch an interview with a British actor/actress and they are 40+ years old, you can hear it in the way they speak, the things they say, fame was never the goal for those people, making something memorable and believable and ultimately timeless was. I love that
@@davidhuggan6315 I had a serious think about this, and every actor or actress who is 40+ is the same from the UK, I really cant think of one that isn't "down to earth" as you put it. They got into acting for the joy of acting, not fame, not fortune, just the enjoyment in doing it. Different with the younger stars i fear. Too much of an Americanism seeping into the British culture i think.
@@cabbageplays6710 With the younger stars, I can only go by their interviews with Graham Norton, for example, and many still seem down to earth. Or Graham brings them crashing down to earth if not! 🙂
Watch Judi Dench perform Shakespeare on Graham Norton. For such a light-hearted entertainment chat show, the entire audience was stunned by her recital.
I had an English teacher at school in London who thought Shakespeare wrote his plays to be seen on stage, not studied by spotty boys in classrooms so he arranged for those of us who wanted to, to go to the Old Vic to see it performed. Judy Dench was in her late 20s then and I saw her play Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Portia in The Merchant of Venice. She was magnificent then and that opinion hasn't changed in the subsequent 60 years.
I think you were thinking of Ingrid Bergman who was Swedish. Audrey Hepburn had a British father, so yes, she can be considered British. Elizabeth Taylor was born here to American parents and I believe kept her dual British/American citizenship.
@@user-py5ct1go2s Actually Audrey Hepburn left school in England in 1939 and returned to the Netherlands. Her mother and siblings had remained there and whilst her father had moved to the UK in 1935 her parents divorced in 1938.
This video only recognises Judi Dench's career from the 1990s but she was well known and well regarded in the British theatre since she was young. She is especially well regarded for her roles in Shakespeare's plays. Julie Walters also had a strong career in the theatre before getting film roles.
I remember seeing her on stage (probably London's Old Vic) in the 1960s when she was a young woman and I was an even younger schoolgirl on a school trip to see A Midsummer Night's Dream when she played Titania in nothing but a coating of green paint and a few fig leaves. She was very beautiful and fortunately had a wonderful figure.
British actors are always considered jobbing actors, if they are not appearing in film you will find them on either stage or TV, it doesn't matter how big they get they will always be appearing somewhere other than film, this gives them the opportunity to constantly work on their craft
Don't forget she was a Dame as well. This list clearly left many Dames off in favor for some upstarts that just had a few hits. Unless they had a fight with the crown being a Dame should be a base bar to be considered for such a list.
Helen Mirren is British through and through and through… apart from being half Russian ( from Russian nobility) That being said… I love her all the same. Why did they keep showing Jane Fonda during the piece about Venessa Redgrave? Did they think they are one and the same person? As for Julie Waters, she’s a tour de force with comedy characterisations. It’s without doubt the time she worked with the phenomenal late great Victoria Wood where she shone her brightest .‘don’t get me wrong, she’s a fantastic actress, but the Sketches written by Victoria Wood are simply hysterical ( at least to a British audience) th-cam.com/video/nytgXz4UcBo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=tUBBGIiJ6_O_ctPq th-cam.com/video/Htvs1wXv1-0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=K9TRPYzLB5qqxVHs th-cam.com/video/Htvs1wXv1-0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=K9TRPYzLB5qqxVHs
There's a TV programme called _Nothing like a Dame,_ featuring *Dame* Judi Dench, *Dame* Eileen Atkins *Dame* Joan Plowright and *Dame* Maggie Smith, in which the other three tease Dame Judi by saying something like 'these days we only get the parts that Judi has turned down!' It's worth a watch. Joan Plowright is Laurence Olivier's widow.
Audrey Hepburn was offered a role in the film "A Bridge To Far" about the operation to capture the five bridges in the Netherlands which would lead to Germany. The action centred on the last bridge in Arnhem. She declined the role as she was involved in the action in helping the allied soldiers in a makeshift hospital. She said it would bring back too many unhappy memories. She would have appeared alongside Sir Laurence Olivier.
Olivia Coleman would be on my list. Honourable mentions to Emily Blunt, Brenda Blethyn, Naomi Watts, Imelda Staunton, Julie Christie, Florence Pugh, Diana Rigg, Kristin Scott Thomas and too many to mention.
Yes, Imelda Staunton, she was incredible in Vera Drake and was nominated for an Oscar for best actress, she should have won but the Academy were squeamish about the subject matter, abortion. The scene where she's arrested is some of the best acting I can think of.
Deborah Kerr was a magnificent actress and quite possibly my favourite on this list. Black Narcissus, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, From Here to Eternity, Heaven Knows Mr Allison, An Affair to Remember...I could go on. Honestly, she was wonderful. I think at one time she topped the list of most Oscar nominations without a win, although she has been overtaken by Glenn Close since then of course. Definitely worth looking into her films if you aren't familiar with her work.
Let's not forget her in the central role of the governess in the atmospheric supernatural thriller, "The Innocents" based on the Henry James story "The Turn of the Screw".
Dame Judi Dench is a Shakespearean actress of the highest order. As was her late husband Michael Williams. She’s far superior to Emma Thompson and ask has a flare for comedy. ‘A Fine Romance’ was a much loved sitcom which she acted in with her late husband. I’m very surprised the late Glenda Jackson wasn’t mentioned. She won an Oscar and many other awards. She was one of our finest and there are many others that top some of those on this list.
@@etinarcadiaego2259 oh for heaven’s sake! Many actors have done advertisements and that doesn’t detract one bit from their other, many more serious roles🤦♀️
To say she's "far superior" does come across as pretty pompous. Emma Thompson has done some pretty amazing work, especially that impressive film she did for UNODC. At least Emma wasn't in Cats so she definitely had that over Judi.
If you think of British female actresses as “prudish” you should listen to Judy Dench being interviewed, not at all prudish. You might also look out the tv programme with Dame Judy Dench, Dame Joan Plowright, Dame Maggie Smith and ‘Dame’ is a title, def not an insult
Only here to add on Miriam Margoyles is an incredible character actor and quite an interview, especially on 'Graham Norton'. Prudish absolutely does not describe her! Oh... Born in Oxford.
I've just been scanning the comments and was beginning to think I was imagining things. Thanks for commenting on this - I was sure it was Jane Fonda for half of the clips and then the closing shot of Vanessa made it absolutely clear - she has stronger features than Jane Fonda.
I noticed the same thing and I think it must have something to do with ”auto”-face recognition (”AI”?) gone wrong. In the first clip there is a scene with Vanessa Redgrave and Jane Fonda. And, somehow, the ”selector” is confused by that and continues with choosing pictures of both actresses.
As Audrey Hepburn was included, I'm very surprised Vivien Leigh wasn't included too. She did some incredible film performances, as well as stage performances too. She also won two Oscars. Nobody can forget her Scarlett or Blanche, but also her Cleopatra. Lady Hamilton, or Myra, etc. A very beautiful if troubled lady.
@@dee2251 Alas, it's not strange. Most have "American" money behind them, the biggest market being the US. So to "twist" these accents is mainly for that market, which is understandable, as money is king !!
@@blackbob3358 yes I know. I was just being ironic. Sad that Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan etc were given American accents, even if American money was behind the films.
British actors do a lot of their training on the stage via specialised dramatic, speech and musical academies and through theatre work. Americans go to college and get most of their early training in commercials and minor TV roles, where their dramatic skills aren't honed as often or as pushed by challenging material. Emily Blunt is one of my current favourite actresses
A Dame for a woman is equivalent of a Sir to a man in the UK. Its not offensive. Its the highest award a person can ever get, you don't need to be in the acting trade, anyone can achieve it. Angelina Jolie is an American who was granted one, which very few foreigners can achieve. Hers was for her work in charity, not her acting
@@jnagarya519 Dame is the female equivalent to being knighted and hold the same rank. This being Knight Commander for men and Dame Commander for women. The only higher rank is the rank of Knight Grand Cross and Dame Grand Cross within that Order. Both these rank levels are classed as a knighthood.
One name that probably should have had at least an honourable mention is Margaret Rutherford, lots of Agatha Christie and comedy in dim and distant past (30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's I think ?)
Julie Walters is an incredible actor. Alan Bennetts "talking heads" (the original series made in 80s/90s) is well worth a watch . Incredible acting from all involved. Maggie Smith, Julie Walters star aswell as many other great British actors.
"Talking Heads" was an exceptional series, both for Alan Bennett's wonderful scripts, and for the performances of the actors who took part. I have the set of DVD's. Just brilliant.
I feel like your view of Kate Winslet has been coloured by her starring in Titanic, a proper blockbuster. I feel she is the best British actress of her generation. I remember being completely blown away by her Marianne in Sense and Sensibility. I could not believe that she was 19 when she played her - such intuitive and natural acting from one so young. So many of her other early roles show her same innate talent, like Hideous Kinky. I also loved her in Eternal Sunshine. She’s immensely versatile and can do coarse, earthy, raw and visceral or refined, buttoned up. I love a lot of other actresses of the same generation, but I think she is streets ahead in terms of sheer raw talent.
@@jacquilayton2557 , not sure what filmography you’re looking at, but I think to imply that Kate’s success might be linked to her second marriage is a little creative. She had already received 3 Oscar nominations before she’d even met Mendes, and has received more after splitting from him. She announced that she was going to take some time out, after her divorce from Mendes, because her children needed her, after going through a turbulent time. Having had a number of critical successes, in recent years (Ammonite, I am, The Mare of Eastown to name just a few), I’m really not sure what’s informing your thinking on this one. She has always been at the top of her game, and a major star, as well phenomenal actress, in her own right, before Mendes came on the scene. I don’t mean to be rude, but your suggestion is, perhaps, a little ignorant of her work and filmography, how the critics view her, and a little insulting to someone who is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, film actresses of her generation
A couple of pieces of trivia; During an episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' she discovered that one of her ancestors came from the same castle where Shakespeare had set Hamlet. Which has the strange link that her first starring role in a Shakespeare play was Hamlet. Dame Maggie Smith went to the same High School as Miriam Margoyles who played Pomona Sprout in Harry Potter.
Germaine Greer was the first female full member of Footlights, but Eleanor Bron was the first woman to be part of the troupe. Emma Thompson was part of the first all female Footlights Revue Show
Other actresses often mistaken as American but actually British Naomi Watts Carey Mulligan Kristen Scott Thomas Vivienne Leigh Claire Forlani (meet Joe Black) Camilla Anne Luddington (from Gray's Anatomy)
Audrey Hepburn was born in Belgium. She had some schooling in England, but moved back, living through the Nazi occupation and is believed to have helped the Dutch resistance. She almost died during the last year of the war from malnutrition and varies the medical conditions. After the was she moved to England to study ballet but her health held her back so film it was. An absolutely remarkable woman of grace and compassion.
Thanks for this. I love your face when you realise that someone is British not American 😄 have a 'look at the honours list and you'll realise what an honour it is for Judi Dench to be a Dame.
Spelt Kerr, pronounced CAR! Right you need to watch Educating Rita...Julie Walters and Michael Caine are brilliant! The other film you need to see is The King and I...Deborah Kerr and Yule Brinner! PS. I don't know if it would be possible but you should watch Louis Theroux's interview with Dame Judi Dench. It's eye opening!
I think 'Dame' is something like the female equivalent to a 'Knighthood' ('Sir') isn't it? Also, I wonder why /how JJ went to '_Dame_' Judi Dench yet he _completely_ missed the previously mentioned Dames: Helen Mirren, and Emma Thompson (to name just two!) ?!😮🥺🤔😏😊 🇬🇧❤️🏴🖖
Richard Burton purchased some of the world's biggest diamonds for Elizabeth, but they never came close to the real Queen Elizabeth II. I bet you think Cary Crant, Bob Hope, and Charlie Chaplin are American too, but they are English.
The reason so many British actors male or female are nominated for Oscars but don't win is because if there is a film with an American in the running it will always go to them.
Calling Dame Judi or Dame Maggie etc by this first name alone is somewhat disrespectful however I nearly choked when you said isn’t calling her Dame offensive. I thought you had reacted to enough British material by now to be at least a little familiar with the British social structure.
The British Drama academies don’t just give the students a grounding in acting or how to deliver Shakespeare, they learn to dance and sing - many of them will be found starring in musicals, as well as straight acting on the stage, TV or films. Judi Dench did Soundheim’s A Little Night Music, and was to be Grizabella in the original Cats production before injury gave Elaine Page her signature piece of ‘Memory’. Emma Thompson didn’t go to drama school but read English at Cambridge - leading to her getting Oscars both for acting and script writing.
Dame Judie Dench has eyesight problems which makes learning her lines a bit more troublesome, but she is a perfectionist and surprisingly down to earth. You cannot offend her with bad language as she has heard it all before. She can recite two of Shakespeare's plays all the way through - FOR ALL CHARACTERS. She is a gem, and no mistake. There were three (I think!) British Dames on the list. That is how highly a brilliant actress can be thought. So, that's one in your eye, Meghan Malarkey or whatever your name is: you are not even on the same planet as them in the field.
You hadn't heard of Deborah Kerr?? My goodness. She was rated the top of her field in many movies from the 1950's/60's. Never heard of From Here to Eternity? Also, check her out in 1961's The Innocents, based on Henry James' A Turn of the Screw. Great acting from all involved including that from two very precocious children.
Been involved in theatre my whole life and was invited to go to China to teach "Western Theatre" at a Uni near Shanghai - the first to do so. So I was pleased you knew Black Narcissus. David Farrar moved to South Africa and became a recluse. I felt very blown away to learn I was the only non-family person to be counted as a friend as he got older. During WWII he owned a Theatre in London which got a direct hit - and exposed an old, forgotten Green Room he'd not known existed. It was scattered with play-bills going back almost 200 years. When he died I was touched to learn he'd had them framed and left for me. Unfortunately I lost all my possessions in a housefire - including those fabulous pieces of theatrical history. Apart from people of my own parents time, most people have never heard of Black Narcissus - so I was thrilled to learn you did...and I got the chance to tell my little story.😁
Being called a 'Dame' is not offensive - quite the contrary. Judi Dench was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1988 New Year Honours so henceforth has been referred to as Dame Judi Dench. It is a very high honour in the UK.
Audrey Hepburn lived in the Netherlands during the war and her family were off course under occupation. She was a wonderful ballet dancer, during the occupation she was reduced to eating tulip bulbs for survival!!! If The Netherlands had not been liberated, she would have died within weeks. Hence her devotion to the Red Cross and Save the Children plus other Charites. Li Taylors Jewellery a lot came from Wallis Simpson after she died. America has sent two duds into our Royal Family. Sweetie Disorganised not Unorganised. May favourite Kate Winslett must be The Reader, outstanding. Emma Thomson has become a complete bloody bore, she spouts green while travelling First Class or holidaying on Super Boats.
Agree with you about Emma Thomson. And she has made some absolute shockers where she has been the central character expected to carry the whole film. She can manage ok in an ensemble cast or when she has an opposite lead to work with but as the sole lead with a bunch of less experienced supportinfg actors she tends to overact rather apallingly.
I've got to say that I think it's an American thing that you find Judi Dench 'intimidating' 😂 I assume it's due to the characters that she's most famous for in the US. In the UK she's in every corner of British entertainment - sitcoms, theatre, musical theatre, Shakespeare, movies, chat shows etc... Many of us were introduced to her through sitcoms, so (like Olivia Colman) we associate her with coming into our homes and making us laugh, almost like one of the family. She's a lovely, warm, quick-witted, sharp, fierce, kind and extremely funny woman. An absolute national treasure 🥰 I actually think of her very much in the same vein as Emma Thompson, who I also LOVE! They're both sparkly, naughty, fabulous and insanely talented.
Audrey Hepburn I a British actress, born in Belgium who fought with the Dutch resistance during WW2. she was trained as a ballet dancer and was the real deal. As Americans say. Btw … not everyone greasy was / is American. Afraid it’s typical that you thought so!
Why does Hollywood keep casting British actors to play American superheroes? This is an issue that extends beyond superhero films, to films in general. America has a young actor crisis. The topic has received quite a bit of coverage over the last couple of years, especially after the totally American story of Selma came out and people realized four of the primary characters were played by British actors. The Atlantic did a feature on it, in which Michael Douglas commented on the issue, saying: "Clearly, it breaks down on two fronts. In Britain they take their training seriously while in the States we’re going through a sort of social media image conscious thing rather than formal training. Many actors are getting caught up in this image thing, which is going on to affect their range." Young actors from Britain, Ireland, Australia and other locations have grown up with their television dominated by American shows. They have heard American voices coming out of that box, every day, and they've mastered mimicking those accents. That means the best of those actors can cross the ocean and compete on a level playing field against the best young American actors. Add in the emphasis on training, overseas, and those young foreigners acquire an edge over many of their American counterparts. Many young actors build their foundation in television before breaking into film. All one has to do is watch some American television and some British television and some structural differences will be noticed - differences that help young British actors and hinder young American actors. The following is, of course, a generalization. Exceptions are easy to name. You might be tempted to reply with "What about Walking Dead and The Wire?" Well, they both starred British actors playing Americans. One doesn't need to be an absolute to have impacts. American television has a heritage and tradition of glamor. American television characters are supposed to be better looking, better dressed, more articulate, and more superlative than the people watching television. There is a perspective that for a story to be interesting, it has to be about the best. The protagonist of a cop show should be a super cop. Police detective Kate Beckett, on Castle, has to be supermodel beautiful and thin, and yet still able to tackle a 240 lb bad guy. She has to be able to chase down a teenager in Nike's while she is wearing five inch heeled Christian Louboutin shoes. She does all this while wearing a $2200 jacket (that she'll have replaced next week with another $2000 jacket), and $600 jeans. She'll do all of this without sweating or getting a hair out of place. The protagonist of a law show has to be a GQ underwear model with an eidetic memory for the law and the charm to win over every jury. Soap operas are about the rich. Sitcoms like Friends are about beautiful people that rarely go to work. They sit in their palatial apartments wearing designer clothes and seemingly spouting spontaneous witticisms that took nine writers a week to refine. American television has a foundation of depicting youth, vitality, exceptionalism, and wealth, and doing so in a weird warped world where everyone lives in either L.A. or New York, but has a nondescript middle of the country accent. This is tough on actors. Rather than developing their skills at disappearing into multivariate characters, their job is to always look cool. Their job is to become a brand. Conversely, British television has a foundation of reveling in the linguistic, economic, and cultural diversity of that small group of islands. A young actor will go from playing a cockney thug one week to a Yorkshire farmer the next, to a member of the 1920s landed gentry the next. Their job is to depict characters that feel real, not fantastical. Their skills get regularly worked and enhanced. Their job is to become a chameleon. Here are two recent British examples. They aren't perfect, because they both utilize a ridiculously handsome actor that naturally looks cool. It took me about three episodes of Agent Carter to realize that the actor playing Jarvis was the same actor (James D'Arcy) that played the thug on Broadchurch. And I had trouble mentally switching from watching Happy Valley to Grantchester. In one, James Norton plays a sadistic, sociopathic, rapist and killer and in the other he is a slightly foppish 1950s vicar. Imagine you are casting a big movie, superhero or not. You want a young actor or actress with great range and skill. You want the audience to see your character. But, you also want someone new to the film audience (and cheap), so you start looking at some good television. Where are the chameleons coming from?
@@kimbirch1202 His accent was all over the map. The only American I can think of who totally nails an English accent is Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones.
@@kimbirch1202including the iconic Alan Rickman who also played criminals, lovers and the complex character Snape in Harry Potter. Kevin Costner was completely outshone by the supporting cast. I think he is very over rated.
Emma Thompson did stand up before acting. She even had a TV show in the UK doing stand up. She has also appeared on QI, a BBC comedy panel show, although that's partly due to her friendship with the host Stephen Fry.
Maggie Smith in Lady in the Van, and Dame Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel also 2nd Best Marigold hotel ... both ladies play fabulous characters in those films.. nothing too heavy but does show off their adaptability, as well, shall we say mature actresses. Being mature myself there are so so many actresses that could slot quite nicely into this list, unfortunately none would really be recognised by this younger generation,
There's almost a snobbish reverence of theatre actors in the UK, and a devotion towards those we love on TV and film, when an actor manages to conquer all 3 they win our hearts
British Acting has been shaped by repertory theatre. In which an actor would join a repertory company The resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation. Considered to be a great way to learn their craft.
Just as a connection for you. Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie were an item for a whist at Cambridge University. Both were in the "Footlights" along with Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, who you may recognise, along with some others during that time that have become well know over here? It may be an idea to have a look at the history of the "Cambridge Footlights" to see who you recognise?
There is an Ausstralian film called the "Dressmaker" with Kate Winslet in the lead and Judy Davis as her mother. It's a comedy, very funny but very Australian. If you like films you'll love it.
Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire is a recognized title by the queen or king. The title is awarded. Like Knighthood for men and putting Sir as a title for their name like Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir Patrick Stewart, and Sir Michael Cain. The equivalency for a woman would be Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Emma Thompson, and Dame Helen Mirren.
For me, the story is the foundation of any drama. If the story doesn’t make sense, is superficial or dull; no amount of fantastic acting or special effects will make up for that. (Cheshire, UK 🇬🇧).
Julie Christie, Susan George, Susan York, Edith Evans, Margaret Rutherford are just some of the fantastic actresses I have been privileged to grow up with.
Judy Dench was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in m 1970, and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1988, and a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in 2005. This is one of our highest Royal awards.
Some of my favourites include: Miranda Richardson (Damage), Julie Christie (Don't Look Now), Katie Dickie (Red Road), Samatha Morton (Morvern Callar), Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman), Charlotte Rampling (45 Years), Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake), Thandiwe Newton (Crash) and Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
There's a reason for it. In the 1970s and 1980s, women began to choose the term 'actor' instead of 'actress' as a direct result of the women's movement and an awareness of gender bias in language.
The title Dame has been given by our late Queen Elizabeth, so that's how they're now addressed, some have been left out Emma Thompson is Dame, likewise Julie Walters, there was someone else as well, this award isn't given for simply being an actor it's also for the humanitarian side, so if you see Lord, Sir Lady or Dame it's there instead of Miss, Mrs Mr etc. Sir Rod Stewart, Sir Paul McCartney, well actually Sir James Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Tom Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey who has just received another honour from our King, Dr Sir Brian May, Sir Richard Attenborough who became Lord, his brother Sir David Attenborough, there's a huge list, even some on your side of the pond like Bob Hope born in London, Angela Lansbury made a Dame again born in the UK, some Americans given an honorary Knighthood but cannot use the term Sir outside the UK and Commonwealth
The Harry Potter franchise had so many of the Greats acting in it. Julie Walters, Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman to name but a few and started the flourishing careers of many including Emma Watson and, of course, Daniel Radcliffe
Dame means “Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire” (DBE) in this context. The female equivalent of a Knighthood. Judi Dench was awarded it in the 1988 New Year Honours.
So funny he thought it was an offensive term.🤣🤣
@@lottie2525 He is American, after all, poor thing.
For even more clarity, 'Dame' is just the female equivalent of 'Sir', indicators of high honours bestowed by royalty.
And if you think that's weird, if they received the honour from the late Queen, they had to call her 'Mam'.
yeah kinda chuckled when he said that..
I think he came across Pantomime, in which a Dame is a completely different thing.
Olivia Coleman and Imelda Staunton really deserve to be on the list.
Coleman's overrated in my opinion but she did win an Oscar amongst many awards and is very well known internationally so it's surprising she doesn't warrant a mention.
Agree its hard to pick 10 I would have added Helena Bonham Carter
meh for Coleman
@@hmtqnikitashakur3399Colmen has taken so many roles in so many films, you might not realise it’s her, from Hot Fuzz to The Night Manager, to Broadchurch, all cop roles and all completely different.
Totally agree regarding Coleman! I love her in Hot Fuzz!
Glenda Jackson won 2 Academy awards. Surely worth a mention.
Yes, shocking omission.
you could add margaret rutherford to thatm
I agree with Glenda Jackson.
Vivienne Leighe
Much as I admire Julie Andrews, when it comes to acting, she is not in the same league as Glenda Jackson. Nor is Emma Thompson for that matter. Oh, and Glenda could do comedy as well as drama. Check her out in A Touch Of Class. As well as her iconic appearance on the Mortimer and Wise comedy show. Hilarious and brilliant.
Dame is the female equivalent of the title sir.
Nah, its more like being a Knight or a lord i would say.
A knight is called sir. Knight of the realm.
Sir Paul McCartney.
Dame Maggie Smith.
Walked right into that
Dame, offensive, it’s an honour to be called a Dame, after all Dame Judi Dence has done in her lifetime..
@@ebbhead20That what being a Sir is 😂
One of Julie Walters best movies was " Educating Rita " playing opposite Michael Caine.
Its about a working class Liverpool lass ,studying at a posh University.
It's a quintessential English movie ( sorry " film " )
The only film where I ball uncontrollably at the very end scene when Michael Cain walks away from Julie down the airport terminal on his way to Australia knowing that "Rita" is probably his most accomplished & refined student. He transforms "Rita" back into whom she was always meant to be..."Susan"!
It's actually the Open University she's studying with - very un-posh, since it's all by correspondence courses.
@rattywoof5259 True, but as the professors, and students , were mostly middle class, it seemed posh to her.
U have to watch Educating Rita
Julie Walters & Michael Caine . Great Film
@@Maria-ef5gq We have - that's what this thread is all about!
julie walters is one of the UK s funniest actors her timing is perfect and when she and the late great Victoria wood got together there were fireworks xxx
"Star of Educating Rita...Typhoo One-Cup!"
"Two soups?" 🤣🤣 Honestly, I chuckled just writing that! 😂
Absolutely. The Wood/Walters magic
2 soups😂
@@TheRowlandstone73 First words that came to my head on seeing Victoria's name. I am still brokenhearted about her loss.
Dame Diana Rigg, Dame Glenda Jackson, Dame Angela Lansbury, Dame Edith Evans, Dame Margaret Rutherford, Dame Sybil Thorndyke, Dame Peggy Ashcroft, Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Sian Phillips. And that's only the Dames (it's the female equivalent of being a Knight, so Dame instead of Sir.) Then there's the wonderful Glynis Johns, (the mother in "Mary Poppins") who died today at the age of 100. Vivien Leigh, who had the lead role in "Gone With the Wind" - yes, Scarlett O'Hara was British! So many.
I think one important difference between British and American actors is that they train for live theatre first, and film/TV second, so they tend to have more of a through-idea of the character based on the text. It's quite normal for someone to star in a West End show in between film or TV work - for many of them, screen time is what subsidises their first love, live theatre. I've been lucky enough to have seen Judi Dench on stage several times. She is just breathtakingly good. Always.
I think I was most dumbfounded by the total lack of recognition of Deborah Kerr, who was internationally celebrated for many years. She was an actress of skill and beauty. Her surname is pronounced ‘Carr’.
She was great (The Innocents is superb), but her last movie was over 50 years ago, and she stopped acting on TV in 1987, so it's understandable, given that old movies don't get shown a lot on TV nowadays.
I would bet that few under 40 even knows who she was unless they're film buffs.
Even so, sadly, most Americans are ignorant about most things.@@yvonneplant9434
Who?
@@yvonneplant9434 She was from Helensburgh in Scotland.
Vivien Leigh, Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland should have perhaps had honourable mentions
And Diana Rigg, Glenda Jackson, Emily Blunt, Angela Lansbury, Celia Johnson,
@@martynnotman3467 Olivia Colman
Why are they using clips of the wonderful Jane Fonda to highlight the equally wonderful Vanessa Redgrave? They don't even look alike...😮
@@ticketyboo2456 Think it was just a clip from when they were in the same film
Yes..and Flora Robson would get my vote
Olivia de Havilland and her sister Joan Fontaine were also British / American, as was Greer Garson. Vivian Leigh of 'Gone With the Wind' fame was also British. Surprised they didn't get a mention, but I guess these videos are made for the younger generation.
Dame is an honour bestowed by the Monarch, it is the female equivalent of a knighthood so it is far from an insult
If you can.. seek out "Educating Rita" to see what Julie Walters is capable of. She is a remarkable woman.
I think the British actors often start in theatres and get a lot of experience that way.
I always think there the difference between a Hollywood star and an actor.
Dame Judi Dench is a national treasure ❤ You should give the British TV show 'As time goes by' a look. Dame Judi's comedy timing is faultless as is her co star's Geoffrey Palmer. Fantastic family comedy.
She's a terrible corpser too. There are so many outtakes of her laughing. She clearly has a great time while working. I saw her as a very young woman in a repeated episode of Z Cars a few years back and she was brilliant even then. Brian Blessed was also very good, sans his famous beard and acting rather than hamming it up as he so often did in later years.
As Time Goes By was Gene Wilder's favorite TV show.
Yes, I agree. She is also a lovely soul in her normal life.
Her comedic timing in real life is pretty spot on too 😃
There’s a clip of Dame Judi Dench reciting Shakespeare’s Sonnet 29 on the Graham Norton Show and it’s absolutely spellbinding, the live audience is so silent you could hear a pin drop
Helen Mirren in the tv series Prime Suspect is a true masterclass in acting. Only Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley rivals that performance.
Sarah Lancashire isn't well known outside of Britain, but she is a fantastic actress. World class, even. I was surprised to see that she has the lead roll in an American series, so maybe her fame is spreading. She deserves it.
@@TonyP_Yes-its-Me Well I'm Finnish and we watch a lot of British tv series and films over here. I certainly know a lot of people who loved Happy Valley and especially Sarah Lancashire''s performance in it. Can't speak for folks in other countries.
Prime Suspect is one of my favourite TV series. Helen Mirren was superb.
Sarah Lancashire is amazing
Sorry but to me she always plays the same part since she left Corrie. Generally mumbles in a glum voice.
Dame Maggie Smith once said that before she starred in Harry Potter, she was just another person on the streets, able to go the shops and live her life with no real interruptions from fans. She was still a star, still well known, but Harry Potter fame was just way over the top.
I think that is something alot of British actors have in common with each other, they are more grounded, more relatable and approachable. They dont go into acting for fame, atleast the older generation didnt, they went into it because they love the craft. Every time i watch an interview with a British actor/actress and they are 40+ years old, you can hear it in the way they speak, the things they say, fame was never the goal for those people, making something memorable and believable and ultimately timeless was. I love that
Sean Bean is a good example of that. He is hilarious in interviews. Very down to earth Yorkshireman
@@davidhuggan6315 I had a serious think about this, and every actor or actress who is 40+ is the same from the UK, I really cant think of one that isn't "down to earth" as you put it. They got into acting for the joy of acting, not fame, not fortune, just the enjoyment in doing it. Different with the younger stars i fear. Too much of an Americanism seeping into the British culture i think.
I think she's brilliant.
@@cabbageplays6710 With the younger stars, I can only go by their interviews with Graham Norton, for example, and many still seem down to earth. Or Graham brings them crashing down to earth if not! 🙂
Right - you can hear the Shakespeare in their diction.
Watch Judi Dench perform Shakespeare on Graham Norton. For such a light-hearted entertainment chat show, the entire audience was stunned by her recital.
Oh my Lord, I saw that…. When she recited that sonnet…..you could’ve heard a pin drop. 😊
Astounding moment in television history!!
That was absolutely mesmerising. You could have heard a pin drop. Amazing.
I had an English teacher at school in London who thought Shakespeare wrote his plays to be seen on stage, not studied by spotty boys in classrooms so he arranged for those of us who wanted to, to go to the Old Vic to see it performed. Judy Dench was in her late 20s then and I saw her play Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and Portia in The Merchant of Venice. She was magnificent then and that opinion hasn't changed in the subsequent 60 years.
I think you were thinking of Ingrid Bergman who was Swedish. Audrey Hepburn had a British father, so yes, she can be considered British. Elizabeth Taylor was born here to American parents and I believe kept her dual British/American citizenship.
Audrey Hepburn was born in Belgium. But her family left for Britain as World War 2 broke out. But she became a naturalised Brit.
@@user-py5ct1go2s but she was half Dutch and half Brit ( dus Géén Belgische)
@@silspenk9034 You are correct. Thanks.
@@user-py5ct1go2s Actually Audrey Hepburn left school in England in 1939 and returned to the Netherlands. Her mother and siblings had remained there and whilst her father had moved to the UK in 1935 her parents divorced in 1938.
@@michaelmclachlan1650what are you saying? She still became a naturalised citizen.
This video only recognises Judi Dench's career from the 1990s but she was well known and well regarded in the British theatre since she was young. She is especially well regarded for her roles in Shakespeare's plays. Julie Walters also had a strong career in the theatre before getting film roles.
Z cars when she was a teenager
The US only became aware of her from playing M and then Mrs Brown in the mid-90s. They hadn't heard of her before so of course, she didn''t exist.
I remember seeing her on stage (probably London's Old Vic) in the 1960s when she was a young woman and I was an even younger schoolgirl on a school trip to see A Midsummer Night's Dream when she played Titania in nothing but a coating of green paint and a few fig leaves. She was very beautiful and fortunately had a wonderful figure.
I saw her as Cleopatra at the National (with Anthony Hopkins as Antony) back in 1987. Superb.
Julie Walters also had a thriving comedy career alongside her great friend and comic legend Victoria Wood.
My heart hurt when you said you didn't know Julie walters, her and Victoria wood are comedy legends
And she was Ron's mother in _Harry Potter._
As well being nominated for a Best Actress (and Best Supporting Actress) Oscars.
He's only a youngster
Dinner ladies is a work of art.
When they spoke about Vanessa Redgrave they showed Jane Fonda. The top Swedish actresses were Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman.
They showed Jane Fonda because it was a scene between Vanessa Redgrave and Jane fonda from the movie Julia.
@@laurathornton1456But didn’t have them interacting together so just looked like it was about Jane Fonda, put together poorly.
British actors are always considered jobbing actors, if they are not appearing in film you will find them on either stage or TV, it doesn't matter how big they get they will always be appearing somewhere other than film, this gives them the opportunity to constantly work on their craft
I’m surprised that Diane Riggs wasn’t on this list. She was incredible in Game of Thrones, and in last night in Soho.
Do you mean 'Diana Rigg'?
Mrs. Peel!
Don't forget she was a Dame as well. This list clearly left many Dames off in favor for some upstarts that just had a few hits. Unless they had a fight with the crown being a Dame should be a base bar to be considered for such a list.
@@andybrown4284 When the Avengers were the Avengers and not, well, the Avengers!!! 😀
You should check out her in The Avengers as Mrs Peel
Helen Mirren is British through and through and through… apart from being half Russian ( from Russian nobility)
That being said… I love her all the same.
Why did they keep showing Jane Fonda during the piece about Venessa Redgrave?
Did they think they are one and the same person?
As for Julie Waters, she’s a tour de force with comedy characterisations.
It’s without doubt the time she worked with the phenomenal late great Victoria Wood where she shone her brightest .‘don’t get me wrong, she’s a fantastic actress, but the Sketches written by Victoria Wood are simply hysterical ( at least to a British audience) th-cam.com/video/nytgXz4UcBo/w-d-xo.htmlsi=tUBBGIiJ6_O_ctPq
th-cam.com/video/Htvs1wXv1-0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=K9TRPYzLB5qqxVHs
th-cam.com/video/Htvs1wXv1-0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=K9TRPYzLB5qqxVHs
Julie Walter’s and Victoria wood = British comedy gold!
Helen mirren Was brought up where I live .....But she constantly puts us Down!! She's a great actress but not a very nice person
There's a TV programme called _Nothing like a Dame,_ featuring *Dame* Judi Dench, *Dame* Eileen Atkins *Dame* Joan Plowright and *Dame* Maggie Smith, in which the other three tease Dame Judi by saying something like 'these days we only get the parts that Judi has turned down!'
It's worth a watch. Joan Plowright is Laurence Olivier's widow.
I think you're right about British actors.
We like a good story, with believable characters, and the dialogue is hugely important.
Audrey Hepburn was offered a role in the film "A Bridge To Far" about the operation to capture the five bridges in the Netherlands which would lead to Germany. The action centred on the last bridge in Arnhem. She declined the role as she was involved in the action in helping the allied soldiers in a makeshift hospital. She said it would bring back too many unhappy memories. She would have appeared alongside Sir Laurence Olivier.
Olivia Coleman would be on my list. Honourable mentions to Emily Blunt, Brenda Blethyn, Naomi Watts, Imelda Staunton, Julie Christie, Florence Pugh, Diana Rigg, Kristin Scott Thomas and too many to mention.
Had a huge crush on Julie Christie but what schoolboy didn’t?
Yes, Imelda Staunton, she was incredible in Vera Drake and was nominated for an Oscar for best actress, she should have won but the Academy were squeamish about the subject matter, abortion. The scene where she's arrested is some of the best acting I can think of.
Many there I'd also thought of - I'd also add Jenny Agutter.
Although Naomi Watts was born in the UK she is influenced by the Australian culture she lived in.
@@barnowl. So was Mel Gibson. But he's still American?
Deborah Kerr was a magnificent actress and quite possibly my favourite on this list. Black Narcissus, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, From Here to Eternity, Heaven Knows Mr Allison, An Affair to Remember...I could go on. Honestly, she was wonderful. I think at one time she topped the list of most Oscar nominations without a win, although she has been overtaken by Glenn Close since then of course. Definitely worth looking into her films if you aren't familiar with her work.
Let's not forget her in the central role of the governess in the atmospheric supernatural thriller, "The Innocents" based on the Henry James story "The Turn of the Screw".
Beat me to it, Keith. One of my favourite films, beautifully shot and she is so good in it. Very scary movie which sends chills up your spine.
@@marcdorman2592It frightened the life out of me when I was young.
Dame Judi Dench is a Shakespearean actress of the highest order. As was her late husband Michael Williams. She’s far superior to Emma Thompson and ask has a flare for comedy. ‘A Fine Romance’ was a much loved sitcom which she acted in with her late husband. I’m very surprised the late Glenda Jackson wasn’t mentioned. She won an Oscar and many other awards. She was one of our finest and there are many others that top some of those on this list.
I agree that Dench deserves great respect but so does Thompson. The difference you see between them in rank really doesn't exist
@@etinarcadiaego2259 oh for heaven’s sake! Many actors have done advertisements and that doesn’t detract one bit from their other, many more serious roles🤦♀️
To say she's "far superior" does come across as pretty pompous. Emma Thompson has done some pretty amazing work, especially that impressive film she did for UNODC. At least Emma wasn't in Cats so she definitely had that over Judi.
@@snufkinmatt162 No but she was in Junior with Arnold.
Glenda Jackson won 2 Oscar's
Judy Dench as Mistress Quickly in Henry V. The scene where she describes the death of Falstaff. The best single scene I’ve ever seen.
Yes yes yes. Also her performance of ‘Send in the Clowns’ has me in floods every time.
If you think of British female actresses as “prudish” you should listen to Judy Dench being interviewed, not at all prudish. You might also look out the tv programme with Dame Judy Dench, Dame Joan Plowright, Dame Maggie Smith and ‘Dame’ is a title, def not an insult
Indeed. If you think of Brits being prudish you're in for a shock when you actually go to the UK! 😂
Only here to add on Miriam Margoyles is an incredible character actor and quite an interview, especially on 'Graham Norton'. Prudish absolutely does not describe her!
Oh... Born in Oxford.
@@MrRjhytGlad someone else posted this so I don't have to figure out how to spell Margy... Margol... Margoy... her surname.
@@MrRjhytoh she’s amazing. Right up there with the best
Such a brilliant programme. You get to see sides to these ladies/dames that people outside the UK know nothing about. Loved it.
In the Venessa Redgrave piece pictures of Jane Fonda kept comming up lolllllllllllllllll don't you justlove the work they put into these videos ?
Was wondering that too, what's with the Jane Fonda Screencrashes?
I've just been scanning the comments and was beginning to think I was imagining things. Thanks for commenting on this - I was sure it was Jane Fonda for half of the clips and then the closing shot of Vanessa made it absolutely clear - she has stronger features than Jane Fonda.
VAnessa
I noticed the same thing and I think it must have something to do with ”auto”-face recognition (”AI”?) gone wrong. In the first clip there is a scene with Vanessa Redgrave and Jane Fonda. And, somehow, the ”selector” is confused by that and continues with choosing pictures of both actresses.
Sorry, not a scene with them together but a clip from a film they both were in (Julia). Hence the confusion by the ”auto-selector”.
As Audrey Hepburn was included, I'm very surprised Vivien Leigh wasn't included too. She did some incredible film performances, as well as stage performances too. She also won two Oscars. Nobody can forget her Scarlett or Blanche, but also her Cleopatra. Lady Hamilton, or Myra, etc. A very beautiful if troubled lady.
Treat yourself to Julie Walters in a Victoria Wood sketch called Two Soups....then Educating Rita 😁
Julie Walters,Two Soups, hilarious, and the shoe shop sketch.
Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins must have had incredible reach. She leant out a London window and got an American Robin to perch on her finger!
Amazing isn’t it? These strange Americanisms and accents appear in Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh etc etc.
@@dee2251 Alas, it's not strange. Most have "American" money behind them, the biggest market being the US. So to "twist" these accents is mainly for that market, which is understandable, as money is king !!
@@blackbob3358 yes I know. I was just being ironic. Sad that Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan etc were given American accents, even if American money was behind the films.
@@blackbob3358 & hats off to J K Rowling who insisted on a UK cast for Harry Potter - or it would have ended up like 90210 with wands.
In one of the Winnie the Pooh cartoons there’s a raccoon that really common animal in the U.K. (lol)
British actors do a lot of their training on the stage via specialised dramatic, speech and musical academies and through theatre work. Americans go to college and get most of their early training in commercials and minor TV roles, where their dramatic skills aren't honed as often or as pushed by challenging material.
Emily Blunt is one of my current favourite actresses
Glenda Jackson, Eileen Atkins, Imelda Staunton would all be on my top 10
2 Greatest omissions of all, Julie Christie, Glenda Jackson.
A Dame for a woman is equivalent of a Sir to a man in the UK. Its not offensive. Its the highest award a person can ever get, you don't need to be in the acting trade, anyone can achieve it. Angelina Jolie is an American who was granted one, which very few foreigners can achieve. Hers was for her work in charity, not her acting
It's far from the highest award a person can ever get in the UK.
I believe being knighted is a higher honor. You get to wear armour, carry a sword, and have a knight life.
@@jnagarya519 Dame is the female equivalent to being knighted and hold the same rank. This being Knight Commander for men and Dame Commander for women. The only higher rank is the rank of Knight Grand Cross and Dame Grand Cross within that Order. Both these rank levels are classed as a knighthood.
@@RickyT15 Have you no sense of humor? Clue: "armour" and "knight life".
@@jnagarya519 It has to be humouristic in order to be perceived as humour - and your first comment wasn't funny at all.
Although born in Belgium, Audrey Hepburn had British citizenship through her father and attended school in England as a child.
One name that probably should have had at least an honourable mention is Margaret Rutherford, lots of Agatha Christie and comedy in dim and distant past (30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's I think ?)
Her Madam Arcati in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit is priceless. She had such a mobile face and she was a great physical actress
always loved her Miss Marple and there were a bunch of other fun ones
Julie Walters is an incredible actor. Alan Bennetts "talking heads" (the original series made in 80s/90s) is well worth a watch . Incredible acting from all involved. Maggie Smith, Julie Walters star aswell as many other great British actors.
"Talking Heads" was an exceptional series, both for Alan Bennett's wonderful scripts, and for the performances of the actors who took part. I have the set of DVD's. Just brilliant.
th-cam.com/video/Htvs1wXv1-0/w-d-xo.htmlsi=p3JInxU44jiBPTrw the soup sketch 😂
I mentioned Sarah Lancashire as well In Happy Valley: stunning!
I feel like your view of Kate Winslet has been coloured by her starring in Titanic, a proper blockbuster. I feel she is the best British actress of her generation. I remember being completely blown away by her Marianne in Sense and Sensibility. I could not believe that she was 19 when she played her - such intuitive and natural acting from one so young. So many of her other early roles show her same innate talent, like Hideous Kinky. I also loved her in Eternal Sunshine. She’s immensely versatile and can do coarse, earthy, raw and visceral or refined, buttoned up. I love a lot of other actresses of the same generation, but I think she is streets ahead in terms of sheer raw talent.
Perhaps if Kate Winslet hadn’t married a director she might not have got as much work. Since their divorce you don’t see her in much.
@@jacquilayton2557 , not sure what filmography you’re looking at, but I think to imply that Kate’s success might be linked to her second marriage is a little creative. She had already received 3 Oscar nominations before she’d even met Mendes, and has received more after splitting from him. She announced that she was going to take some time out, after her divorce from Mendes, because her children needed her, after going through a turbulent time. Having had a number of critical successes, in recent years (Ammonite, I am, The Mare of Eastown to name just a few), I’m really not sure what’s informing your thinking on this one. She has always been at the top of her game, and a major star, as well phenomenal actress, in her own right, before Mendes came on the scene. I don’t mean to be rude, but your suggestion is, perhaps, a little ignorant of her work and filmography, how the critics view her, and a little insulting to someone who is widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, film actresses of her generation
A couple of pieces of trivia; During an episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' she discovered that one of her ancestors came from the same castle where Shakespeare had set Hamlet. Which has the strange link that her first starring role in a Shakespeare play was Hamlet.
Dame Maggie Smith went to the same High School as Miriam Margoyles who played Pomona Sprout in Harry Potter.
Germaine Greer was the first female full member of Footlights, but Eleanor Bron was the first woman to be part of the troupe. Emma Thompson was part of the first all female Footlights Revue Show
Greer is Australian, from Melbourne. Not British.
@@justmepercy720 However, it is still incorrect to say someone else (Thompson) was first woman to be full member of Footlights
Other actresses often mistaken as American but actually British
Naomi Watts
Carey Mulligan
Kristen Scott Thomas
Vivienne Leigh
Claire Forlani (meet Joe Black)
Camilla Anne Luddington (from Gray's Anatomy)
Alex Kingston? (ER)
@@judithstrachan9399Alex Kingston (Doctor Who) 😝
@@filmsociety1311 yes, but Doctor Who was later & totally British as well. (River rules!)
Let's not forget, Dame Angela Lansbury
Oh let's do.
Bloody Murder She Wrote 🤮
@Medusa13579 to be honest I was thinking more about her stage career lol
@@richardrichard9631 OK, fair enough 👌 😊
Audrey Hepburn was born in Belgium. She had some schooling in England, but moved back, living through the Nazi occupation and is believed to have helped the Dutch resistance. She almost died during the last year of the war from malnutrition and varies the medical conditions. After the was she moved to England to study ballet but her health held her back so film it was. An absolutely remarkable woman of grace and compassion.
You don't know Julie Walters?! Now she's funny..
Why are you surprised that many actresses/ are British, no surprise at all. We are the best in Acting and top British Bands.
What about Diana Rigg
Thanks for this. I love your face when you realise that someone is British not American 😄 have a 'look at the honours list and you'll realise what an honour it is for Judi Dench to be a Dame.
Glenda Jackson surely deserved to be in the list, but not even given an honourable mention.
I’ve only seen her in Hopscotch, but loved her there.
Spelt Kerr, pronounced CAR! Right you need to watch Educating Rita...Julie Walters and Michael Caine are brilliant! The other film you need to see is The King and I...Deborah Kerr and Yule Brinner! PS. I don't know if it would be possible but you should watch Louis Theroux's interview with Dame Judi Dench. It's eye opening!
……’Brynner’………
Dame is a title 😂
I think 'Dame' is something like the female equivalent to a 'Knighthood' ('Sir') isn't it?
Also, I wonder why /how JJ went to
'_Dame_' Judi Dench yet he _completely_ missed the previously mentioned Dames:
Helen Mirren, and Emma Thompson
(to name just two!) ?!😮🥺🤔😏😊
🇬🇧❤️🏴🖖
What about Glenda Jackson?
"Dame" is an honourable title awarded to outstanding women.
❤ great to find you're an actor. Emma Thompson was in the famous Cambridge Footlights comedy troupe with Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie et al.
I love Hugh Grant's description of Emma: Clever, funny, and mad as a chair 🤣💜
Richard Burton purchased some of the world's biggest diamonds for Elizabeth, but they never came close to the real Queen Elizabeth II. I bet you think Cary Crant, Bob Hope, and Charlie Chaplin are American too, but they are English.
and Pierce Brosnan though he is Southen Irish either way not American
Stan Laurel
Why would anyone think Charlie Chaplin is American?
@@davinahandley2043 Yes, Pierce is Irish and went to school in England though.
@@jane1975 only from the age of 11 prior to that he was at school in Ireland under the Christian Brothers at Kells
Sarah Lancashire.
The reason so many British actors male or female are nominated for Oscars but don't win is because if there is a film with an American in the running it will always go to them.
Calling Dame Judi or Dame Maggie etc by this first name alone is somewhat disrespectful however I nearly choked when you said isn’t calling her Dame offensive. I thought you had reacted to enough British material by now to be at least a little familiar with the British social structure.
The British Drama academies don’t just give the students a grounding in acting or how to deliver Shakespeare, they learn to dance and sing - many of them will be found starring in musicals, as well as straight acting on the stage, TV or films. Judi Dench did Soundheim’s A Little Night Music, and was to be Grizabella in the original Cats production before injury gave Elaine Page her signature piece of ‘Memory’. Emma Thompson didn’t go to drama school but read English at Cambridge - leading to her getting Oscars both for acting and script writing.
Half of the actors and actresses in America are British and Americans think they are American until they go on talk shows
Dame Judie Dench has eyesight problems which makes learning her lines a bit more troublesome, but she is a perfectionist and surprisingly down to earth. You cannot offend her with bad language as she has heard it all before. She can recite two of Shakespeare's plays all the way through - FOR ALL CHARACTERS. She is a gem, and no mistake. There were three (I think!) British Dames on the list. That is how highly a brilliant actress can be thought. So, that's one in your eye, Meghan Malarkey or whatever your name is: you are not even on the same planet as them in the field.
@6:48 You might be thinking of Ingrid Bergman who was indeed Swedish.
You hadn't heard of Deborah Kerr?? My goodness. She was rated the top of her field in many movies from the 1950's/60's. Never heard of From Here to Eternity? Also, check her out in 1961's The Innocents, based on Henry James' A Turn of the Screw. Great acting from all involved including that from two very precocious children.
Been involved in theatre my whole life and was invited to go to China to teach "Western Theatre" at a Uni near Shanghai - the first to do so. So I was pleased you knew Black Narcissus. David Farrar moved to South Africa and became a recluse. I felt very blown away to learn I was the only non-family person to be counted as a friend as he got older. During WWII he owned a Theatre in London which got a direct hit - and exposed an old, forgotten Green Room he'd not known existed. It was scattered with play-bills going back almost 200 years. When he died I was touched to learn he'd had them framed and left for me. Unfortunately I lost all my possessions in a housefire - including those fabulous pieces of theatrical history.
Apart from people of my own parents time, most people have never heard of Black Narcissus - so I was thrilled to learn you did...and I got the chance to tell my little story.😁
Being called a 'Dame' is not offensive - quite the contrary. Judi Dench was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 1988 New Year Honours so henceforth has been referred to as Dame Judi Dench. It is a very high honour in the UK.
Audrey Hepburn, was born in Belgium., and worked for the Resistance during the second world war.
Audrey Hepburn lived in the Netherlands during the war and her family were off course under occupation. She was a wonderful ballet dancer, during the occupation she was reduced to eating tulip bulbs for survival!!! If The Netherlands had not been liberated, she would have died within weeks. Hence her devotion to the Red Cross and Save the Children plus other Charites. Li Taylors Jewellery a lot came from Wallis Simpson after she died. America has sent two duds into our Royal Family. Sweetie Disorganised not Unorganised. May favourite Kate Winslett must be The Reader, outstanding. Emma Thomson has become a complete bloody bore, she spouts green while travelling First Class or holidaying on Super Boats.
Mickey Burns, a survivor of the St Nazaire commando raid & Colditz POW helped save her life at the end of the war.
Emma Thompson's husband is the bigger bore. He gives me the creeps. Greg Wise, he just loved himself, me, me, me!
She's "as mad as a chair", quote (Hugh Grant)🤪
Agree with you about Emma Thomson. And she has made some absolute shockers where she has been the central character expected to carry the whole film. She can manage ok in an ensemble cast or when she has an opposite lead to work with but as the sole lead with a bunch of less experienced supportinfg actors she tends to overact rather apallingly.
I've got to say that I think it's an American thing that you find Judi Dench 'intimidating' 😂 I assume it's due to the characters that she's most famous for in the US.
In the UK she's in every corner of British entertainment - sitcoms, theatre, musical theatre, Shakespeare, movies, chat shows etc...
Many of us were introduced to her through sitcoms, so (like Olivia Colman) we associate her with coming into our homes and making us laugh, almost like one of the family.
She's a lovely, warm, quick-witted, sharp, fierce, kind and extremely funny woman. An absolute national treasure 🥰
I actually think of her very much in the same vein as Emma Thompson, who I also LOVE! They're both sparkly, naughty, fabulous and insanely talented.
Audrey Hepburn I a British actress, born in Belgium who fought with the Dutch resistance during WW2. she was trained as a ballet dancer and was the real deal. As Americans say. Btw … not everyone greasy was / is American. Afraid it’s typical that you thought so!
The film 'A private function ' is worth a watch see how many actors you know in it with looking at the credits 😊
Why does Hollywood keep casting British actors to play American superheroes?
This is an issue that extends beyond superhero films, to films in general. America has a young actor crisis. The topic has received quite a bit of coverage over the last couple of years, especially after the totally American story of Selma came out and people realized four of the primary characters were played by British actors.
The Atlantic did a feature on it, in which Michael Douglas commented on the issue, saying:
"Clearly, it breaks down on two fronts. In Britain they take their training seriously while in the States we’re going through a sort of social media image conscious thing rather than formal training. Many actors are getting caught up in this image thing, which is going on to affect their range."
Young actors from Britain, Ireland, Australia and other locations have grown up with their television dominated by American shows. They have heard American voices coming out of that box, every day, and they've mastered mimicking those accents. That means the best of those actors can cross the ocean and compete on a level playing field against the best young American actors. Add in the emphasis on training, overseas, and those young foreigners acquire an edge over many of their American counterparts.
Many young actors build their foundation in television before breaking into film. All one has to do is watch some American television and some British television and some structural differences will be noticed - differences that help young British actors and hinder young American actors.
The following is, of course, a generalization. Exceptions are easy to name. You might be tempted to reply with "What about Walking Dead and The Wire?" Well, they both starred British actors playing Americans. One doesn't need to be an absolute to have impacts.
American television has a heritage and tradition of glamor. American television characters are supposed to be better looking, better dressed, more articulate, and more superlative than the people watching television. There is a perspective that for a story to be interesting, it has to be about the best. The protagonist of a cop show should be a super cop. Police detective Kate Beckett, on Castle, has to be supermodel beautiful and thin, and yet still able to tackle a 240 lb bad guy. She has to be able to chase down a teenager in Nike's while she is wearing five inch heeled Christian Louboutin shoes. She does all this while wearing a $2200 jacket (that she'll have replaced next week with another $2000 jacket), and $600 jeans. She'll do all of this without sweating or getting a hair out of place. The protagonist of a law show has to be a GQ underwear model with an eidetic memory for the law and the charm to win over every jury. Soap operas are about the rich. Sitcoms like Friends are about beautiful people that rarely go to work. They sit in their palatial apartments wearing designer clothes and seemingly spouting spontaneous witticisms that took nine writers a week to refine.
American television has a foundation of depicting youth, vitality, exceptionalism, and wealth, and doing so in a weird warped world where everyone lives in either L.A. or New York, but has a nondescript middle of the country accent.
This is tough on actors. Rather than developing their skills at disappearing into multivariate characters, their job is to always look cool. Their job is to become a brand.
Conversely, British television has a foundation of reveling in the linguistic, economic, and cultural diversity of that small group of islands. A young actor will go from playing a cockney thug one week to a Yorkshire farmer the next, to a member of the 1920s landed gentry the next. Their job is to depict characters that feel real, not fantastical. Their skills get regularly worked and enhanced. Their job is to become a chameleon.
Here are two recent British examples. They aren't perfect, because they both utilize a ridiculously handsome actor that naturally looks cool.
It took me about three episodes of Agent Carter to realize that the actor playing Jarvis was the same actor (James D'Arcy) that played the thug on Broadchurch.
And I had trouble mentally switching from watching Happy Valley to Grantchester. In one, James Norton plays a sadistic, sociopathic, rapist and killer and in the other he is a slightly foppish 1950s vicar.
Imagine you are casting a big movie, superhero or not. You want a young actor or actress with great range and skill. You want the audience to see your character. But, you also want someone new to the film audience (and cheap), so you start looking at some good television. Where are the chameleons coming from?
It's as crazy as an American ( Kevin Costner ) playing Robin Hood, in A Prince of Thieves.
He was outshone by half of the supporting cast imo.
The same regarding Australian actors.
@@kimbirch1202 His accent was all over the map. The only American I can think of who totally nails an English accent is Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones.
@@kimbirch1202including the iconic Alan Rickman who also played criminals, lovers and the complex character Snape in Harry Potter. Kevin Costner was completely outshone by the supporting cast. I think he is very over rated.
@brightonbabe2139 He was OK in Dancing with Wolves, but that's about it, imo.
Alan Rickman is a superb actor, I agree.
How can you not know Elizabeth Taylor was British. One of our most famous.
Emma Thompson did stand up before acting. She even had a TV show in the UK doing stand up. She has also appeared on QI, a BBC comedy panel show, although that's partly due to her friendship with the host Stephen Fry.
Maggie Smith in Lady in the Van, and Dame Judi Dench and Maggie Smith in the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel also 2nd Best Marigold hotel ... both ladies play fabulous characters in those films.. nothing too heavy but does show off their adaptability, as well, shall we say mature actresses. Being mature myself there are so so many actresses that could slot quite nicely into this list, unfortunately none would really be recognised by this younger generation,
There's almost a snobbish reverence of theatre actors in the UK, and a devotion towards those we love on TV and film, when an actor manages to conquer all 3 they win our hearts
British Acting has been shaped by repertory theatre. In which an actor would join a repertory company The resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation. Considered to be a great way to learn their craft.
Watch Dame Judi Dench recite a Shakespeare sonnet on the Graham Norton show, it’s why she should be #1 on any acting list!.
I am surprised Olivia Colman didn't get a mention too.
Just as a connection for you. Emma Thompson and Hugh Laurie were an item for a whist at Cambridge University. Both were in the "Footlights" along with Stephen Fry, Sandi Toksvig, who you may recognise, along with some others during that time that have become well know over here? It may be an idea to have a look at the history of the "Cambridge Footlights" to see who you recognise?
There is an Ausstralian film called the "Dressmaker" with Kate Winslet in the lead and Judy Davis as her mother. It's a comedy, very funny but very Australian. If you like films you'll love it.
Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire is a recognized title by the queen or king. The title is awarded. Like Knighthood for men and putting Sir as a title for their name like Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir Patrick Stewart, and Sir Michael Cain. The equivalency for a woman would be Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Emma Thompson, and Dame Helen Mirren.
It's Ingrid Bergman that's swedish (or half at least). 😄
I thought he ment Greta Garbo 😀
For me, the story is the foundation of any drama. If the story doesn’t make sense, is superficial or dull; no amount of fantastic acting or special effects will make up for that. (Cheshire, UK 🇬🇧).
I though Audrey Hepburn was Dutch 🤔
Just checked, she was born near Brussels. Her father was a British subject.
@@MsCheesemonster13 she was actually born in belgium
Julie Christie, Susan George, Susan York, Edith Evans, Margaret Rutherford are just some of the fantastic actresses I have been privileged to grow up with.
Judy Dench was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in m 1970, and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1988, and a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) in 2005. This is one of our highest Royal awards.
There can only be 65 Companions of Honour at any one time, so a high honour indeed.
To be made a Dame is the female equivalent to be knighted ...to become a Sir
What? No Glenda Jackson (1936 - 2023)? See her in the 1970s BBC mini series, Elizabeth R.
Some of my favourites include: Miranda Richardson (Damage), Julie Christie (Don't Look Now), Katie Dickie (Red Road), Samatha Morton (Morvern Callar), Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman), Charlotte Rampling (45 Years), Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake), Thandiwe Newton (Crash) and Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
Dame Judy is superb at comedy as well “As Time Goes By” one of my all time favourite comedies. 😂
Very tired of hearing actresses referred to as actors! British actresses are the best.
👍 Indeed; the term ‘actress’ is by no means a slur.
There's a reason for it. In the 1970s and 1980s, women began to choose the term 'actor' instead of 'actress' as a direct result of the women's movement and an awareness of gender bias in language.
The title Dame has been given by our late Queen Elizabeth, so that's how they're now addressed, some have been left out Emma Thompson is Dame, likewise Julie Walters, there was someone else as well, this award isn't given for simply being an actor it's also for the humanitarian side, so if you see Lord, Sir Lady or Dame it's there instead of Miss, Mrs Mr etc. Sir Rod Stewart, Sir Paul McCartney, well actually Sir James Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Tom Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey who has just received another honour from our King, Dr Sir Brian May, Sir Richard Attenborough who became Lord, his brother Sir David Attenborough, there's a huge list, even some on your side of the pond like Bob Hope born in London, Angela Lansbury made a Dame again born in the UK, some Americans given an honorary Knighthood but cannot use the term Sir outside the UK and Commonwealth
Did he think it was an insult ? Lol
The Harry Potter franchise had so many of the Greats acting in it. Julie Walters, Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman to name but a few and started the flourishing careers of many including Emma Watson and, of course, Daniel Radcliffe
Dame Judy is from my local city of York. She was honoured with the female equivalent of Knighthood and so the title of Dame.
For some reason during the Vanessa Redgrave segment they kept showing a clips of Jane Fonda.
It's from a movie they were in together called Julia