Felicity Montagu

Last updated

Felicity Montagu
Born
Felicity Jane Montagu

(1960-09-12) 12 September 1960 (age 63)
OccupationActress
Years active1985–present
Spouse
Alan Nixon
(m. 1984;div. 2006)
Children2

Felicity Jane Montagu (born 12 September 1960) is an English actress. [1] She is best known for playing Lynn Benfield, the long-suffering assistant of Alan Partridge.

Contents

Early life

Montagu was born in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, [2] to Lieutenant-Colonel John Drogo Montagu (1916–2013), whose great-great-grandfather, Admiral George Montagu, was the great-great-grandson of the Hon. James Montagu (d. 1665), who, in turn, was the third son of Henry Montagu, 1st Earl of Manchester. [3] She attended Loughborough University and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. [4]

Career

Film

Montagu's reputation in comedy character parts was enhanced by her performance in Bridget Jones's Diary as Perpetua, Bridget's unpleasant colleague. [5] She also appeared in the 2006 film Confetti as highly strung magazine editor Vivien Kay-Wylie. [6] She appeared in the film I Want Candy in which she plays the mother of an ambitious teenager. [7] She appeared in How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008). [6] In 2013, she reprised her role as Lynn Benfield for the Alan Partridge film Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa , [8] and Mrs Mainwaring in the 2016 Dad's Army film. [9] In 2016, Montagu reprised her role as Miss Adolf from the Hank Zipzer series in the TV movie Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe . [10]

Television

In 2004 and 2005, Montagu starred in the ITV comedy drama Doc Martin as Caroline Bosman, the radio presenter of Radio Portwenn. She played Lynn, the faithful but put-upon personal assistant in I'm Alan Partridge , and the vicar's wife Sue in Nighty Night . In 2006, she took the leading role of housewife and gang queen Barbara Du Prez in the comedy series Suburban Shootout . [6] Her other television credits include Mapp & Lucia , The Bill , Lovejoy , Health and Efficiency , Wish Me Luck , Tumbledown , Harry Enfield's Television Programme , 2point4 Children , A Touch of Frost , My Life as a Popat , Johnny and the Bomb , Peak Practice , The Queen's Sister , Coogan's Run , Doc Martin , Lead Balloon , Alexei Sayle's Stuff , Skins , Hank Zipzer , M.I. High , The Durrells , The End of the F***ing World , Rab C. Nesbitt , and Sally4Ever . [11] In 2020, she appeared as a contestant on Celebrity Masterchef . [12]

Theatre

After graduating from drama school, Montagu was cast in the Terry Johnson play Unsuitable for Adults at the Bush Theatre. [13] She went on to work at the Royal Court Theatre and the Royal National Theatre. [4] After a long hiatus due to her screen work, Montagu returned to the stage when she starred as Melanie alongside Rowan Atkinson in the 2013 West End production of Quartermaine's Terms at Wyndham's Theatre. [13] In 2017, she appeared at the Liverpool Playhouse in a stage adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice as Mrs Bennet, alongside Matthew Kelly as Mr Bennet. [14]

Radio

Montagu has also been a regular voice on a range of comedy programmes on BBC Radio 4 since the mid-1980s. Her credits include Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency , Delve Special , Ayres on the Air, Dial M For Pizza , Old Harry's Game , The Million Pound Radio Show , Revolting People , and No Commitments .

Personal life

Montagu married Alan Nixon in 1984. They divorced in 2006. The couple have two children, Olivia and Luke. Felicity and Olivia worked together in 2016 in the BBC Radio 4 series Guilt Trip, where they played a fictional mother and daughter. [13]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1985 Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV AntheaEpisode: "Episode #1.5"
1985 Coming Through Jesse ChambersTV film
1986 We'll Think of Something CeliaEpisode: "You Know Who Your Friends Are"
Who Dares Wins Pregnant Woman2 episodes
1987–1989 Ffizz Griselda12 episodes
Tumbledown TriciaTelevision film
This is David Lander Linda TimsonEpisode: "Reduced to Tears"
1988–1989 Alexei Sayle's Stuff Various Roles7 episodes
1989 Norbert Smith, a Life Cecilia JohansonTelevision film
1990 Wish Me Luck Nicole Dissard7 episodes
Harry Enfield's Television Programme Thirties PlayerEpisode: "Episode #1.1"
1991 The Bill PearceEpisode: "Furthers"
Josie Jacklyn2 episodes
Casualty Karen Forrester2 episodes
Paul Merton: The Series Various CharactersEpisode: "Episode #1.6"
1992 Lovejoy Deborah FrobisherEpisode: "Out to Lunch
2Point4 Children JaniceEpisode: "I'm Going Slightly Mad"
Funny Business PerformerEpisode: "Visual Comedy"
1993 Bonjour la Classe Parent 2Episode: "Red Card"
KYTV Horsey WomanEpisode: "Get Away with You"
1993–1995 Health and Efficiency Dr. Kate Russell12 episodes
1994 A Touch of Frost Anne ButlerEpisode: "Nothing to Hide"
The All New Alexei Sayle Show Various CharactersEpisode: "Episode #1.6"
1995 Coogan's Run Florence MullingerEpisode: "Handyman for All Seasons"
1995–1998 Smith & Jones Various3 episodes
1997 Brass Eye Dinner Party Guest (uncredited)Episode: "Animals"
Holding the Baby JaneEpisode: "Episode #1.6"
Hospital!SallyTelevision film
Harry Enfield and Chums Woman in Cholmondeley-Warner FilmEpisode: "Harry Enfield and Christmas Chums"
1997–2002 I'm Alan Partridge Lynn Benfield12 episodes
1998 Hetty Wainthropp Investigates Susan DentEpisode: "Blood Relations"
Babes in the Wood SashaEpisode: "Christmas Special"
1999 All Along the Watchtower Mrs. CarterEpisode: "Keeping the Peace"
Acts of Passion RosemaryEpisode: "Hungry"
People Like Us VariousEpisode: "The Estate Agent"
2000 The Mrs Bradley Mysteries Ruby LarkinEpisode: "The Rising of the Moon"
City Central Jenny WilsonEpisode: "Everything Must Go"
Trust Beth SimpsonTelevision film
Peak Practice Marian LowtherEpisode: "On a Clear Day"
2001 Bridget Jones's Diary Perpetua
Mr CharityMrs. GilbertEpisode: "You and Whose Tsunami?"
Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible LaviniaEpisode: "And Now the Fearing..."
2003 The Eustace Bros. Ginny TopleyEpisode: "Episode #1.5"
Blackball Astronomer
The Crouches EileenEpisode: "Uncle Sonny"
Hear the Silence Mary WattTelevision film
2004–2005 Nighty Night Sue Forks10 episodes
2004–2007 My Life as a Popat Ivy Saviour5 episodes
2004–2013 Doc Martin Caroline Bosman7 episodes
2005 The Afternoon Play Marjorie GoldblumEpisode: "The Singing Cactus"
Bremner, Bird and Fortune UnknownEpisode: "Episode #7.6"
The Queen's Sister Gillian FlemingTelevision film
Planet Sketch Various (voice)26 episodes
2006 Johnny and the Bomb Mildred Seeley2 episodes
Uncle Dad Mrs. FarquharsonTelevision series
My Family LydiaEpisode: "Dentally Unstable"
Confetti Vivian
2006–2007 Suburban Shootout Barbara du Prez11 episodes
2007 I Want Candy Val, Joe's Mum
Daphne Director, 'September Tide'Television film
2008 M.I. High Big Sister/Mary TaylorEpisode: "Big Sister"
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People Clipboard Nazi
2009No Holds BardPaula PickfordTelevision film
Off the Hook Danny's Mum/Mrs. Gordon2 episodes
Outnumbered Mrs. BainEpisode: "The Robbers"
2010 Skins AnneEpisode: "Emily"
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret Ms WhiteheadEpisode: "The Snooker Player, the Black Canadian, the Turkish Terrorist, and the Peanut"
2011 North by Northamptonshire Jan (voice)Radio series
Lead Balloon LibbyEpisode: "Off"
Happy ClapperCathShort film
Comedy Showcase MerielEpisode: "Chickens"
Chickens MerielEpisode: "Pilot"
Rab C. Nesbitt Reverend BiddulphEpisode: "Stool"
2011–2012 Little Crackers Mrs. Peters/Mrs. Phipps2 episodes
2012ParentsMaryEpisode: "Episode #1.6"
Just DessertsCarolShort film
2012–2013 Watson & Oliver Various2 episodes
2013 It's Kevin VariousEpisode: "Episode #1.2"
Playhouse Presents MegEpisode: "Stage Door Johnnies"
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa Lynn Benfield
You, Me & ThemMagsEpisode: "Three Dinners"
2014 The Slammer Polly MeadowsEpisode: "Polly Meadows"
The Boy in the Dress Miss PriceTelevision film
Mapp & Lucia Godiva "Diva" Plaistow3 episodes
2014–2016 Hank Zipzer Miss Adolf38 episodes
2015Funny ValentinesIsabelEpisode: "Last Chance"
Two DownMrs. Hannon
BBC Comedy FeedsJoyEpisode: "Fishbowl"
2016 Dad's Army Elizabeth Mainwaring
The Alan DimensionWendy (voice)Short film
Brief Encounters Joan5 episodes
Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe Miss AdolfTelevision film
2016–2019 The Durrells Cousin Prue4 episodes
2017HuskMotherShort film
Porridge Caroline HawleyEpisode: "The Witness"
The End of the F***ing World JocelynEpisode: "Episode #1.6"
Chinese BurnSueEpisode: "Pilot"
2017-2018 The Tunnel Winnie Miles6 episodes
2018 Urban Myths Paula Strasberg Episode: "Marilyn Monroe and Billy Wilder"
Vanity Fair Arabella Briggs4 episodes
ButterflyAlice2 episodes
Zapped Head LibrarianEpisode: "Book"
Sally4Ever Eleanor7 episodes
Death on the Tyne DeniseTelevision film
It's Me, Sugar Paula Strasberg Short film
2019The Road to BrexitJill SpillerTelevision film
LasagneBettyShort film
Four Weddings and a Funeral Duffy's MomEpisode: "New Jersey"
National Theatre Live: A Midsummer Night's Dream Quince
2019–2021 This Time with Alan Partridge Lynn Benfield12 episodes
2020 Resistance Mrs. Garner (Emma's Mother)
Heart to HeartHen HolliganShort film
Miss Marx Helen Demuth
2021The AnnouncementPatriciaShort film
Censor Valerie
Brassic Lesley AnneEpisode: "Episode #3.1"
Landscapers Patricia Wycherley3 episodes
2022 Sister Boniface Mysteries Canoness BasilEpisode: "Lights, Camera, Murder!"
Hullraisers Gloria2 episodes
The TrainTina4 episodes
2023Tom JonesBridget AllworthyEpisode: "Episode #1.1"
Black Ops Superintendent Edwards6 episodes
Beyond Paradise Margo Martins6 episodes

Related Research Articles

<i>Pride and Prejudice</i> 1813 novel by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice is the second novel by English author Jane Austen, published in 1813. A novel of manners, it follows the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of the book, who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and comes to appreciate the difference between superficial goodness and actual goodness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julia Sawalha</span> British actress (b. 1968)

Julia Sawalha is an English actress. She is best known for playing Saffron "Saffy" Monsoon in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012). Her other television roles include as Lynda Day in Press Gang (1989–1993), as Hannah Greyshott in Second Thoughts (1991–1994), and its sequel series, Faith in the Future (1995–1998), Lydia Bennet in the television miniseries of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1995), Georgina and Kid's vocal effects in Sheeep (2000–2001), Carla Borrego in Jonathan Creek (2001–2004), and Dorcas Lane in the BBC's costume drama Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011). Her film credits include Buddy's Song (1991), The Wind in the Willows (1996), Chicken Run (2000) and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Partridge</span> British comedy character

Alan Gordon Partridge is a comedy character portrayed by the English actor Steve Coogan. A parody of British television personalities, Partridge is a tactless and inept broadcaster with an inflated sense of celebrity. Since his debut in 1991, he has appeared in media including radio and television series, books, podcasts and film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Coogan</span> English actor and comedian (born 1965)

Stephen John Coogan is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter and producer. He is best known for creating and portraying Alan Partridge, a socially inept and politically incorrect media personality, which he developed while working with Armando Iannucci and Chris Morris on On the Hour and The Day Today. Partridge has featured in several television series such as I'm Alan Partridge (1997–2002) and the film Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013). Coogan has earned accolades such as four BAFTA Awards and three British Comedy Awards, and nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award.

Rebecca Louise Front is an English actress, writer and comedian. She won the 2010 BAFTA TV Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for The Thick of It (2009–2012). She is also known for her work in numerous other British comedies, including the radio show On The Hour (1992), The Day Today (1994), Knowing Me, Knowing You… with Alan Partridge (1994), Time Gentlemen Please (2000–2002), sketch show Big Train (2002), and Nighty Night (2004–2005).

<i>Im Alan Partridge</i> British sitcom (1997–2002)

I'm Alan Partridge is a British sitcom created by Steve Coogan, Peter Baynham and Armando Iannucci. Coogan stars as Alan Partridge, a tactless and inept broadcaster who has been left by his wife and dropped by the BBC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sally Phillips</span> English actress and comedian

Sally Elizabeth Phillips is an English actress, comedian, and television presenter. She co-created and was one of the writers of the sketch comedy show Smack the Pony. She is also known for her roles in Jam & Jerusalem as Natasha "Tash" Vine, Miranda as Tilly, I'm Alan Partridge as Sophie, Parents as Jenny Pope, Set the Thames on Fire as Colette in 2015, Zapped as Slasher Morgan, and her guest appearances as the fictional Prime Minister of Finland Minna Häkkinen in the US TV series Veep. Phillips also co-starred in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as Mrs Bennet and in the role of Shazza in all three films of the Bridget Jones franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Julia Davis</span> English actress (born 1966)

Julia Charlotte L. Davis is an English actress, comedian, director and writer. She is known for writing and starring in the BBC Three comedy Nighty Night (2004–2005) and the comedies Hunderby (2012–2015) and Camping (2016), which she also directed. Davis has been noted by critics for creating boundary-pushing black comedy that centres female anti-hero characters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doon Mackichan</span> British actress, comedian and writer (born 1962)

Sarah Doon Mackichan is a British actress, comedian and writer. She co-created, wrote and performed in the double-Emmy-award-winning Smack the Pony. She frequently collaborates with Armando Iannucci and Steve Coogan, having played multiple characters in The Day Today, Brass Eye and Alan Partridge, and has also appeared in Toast of London and Two Doors Down. Mackichan was nominated for Best Female Comedy Performance at the 2014 British Academy Television Awards for her performance in Plebs and won critical praise for her performance alongside John Malkovich in Bitter Wheat in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elizabeth Bennet</span> Fictional character from Pride and Prejudice

Elizabeth Bennet is the protagonist in the 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. She is often referred to as Eliza or Lizzy by her friends and family. Elizabeth is the second child in a family of five daughters. Though the circumstances of the time and environment push her to seek a marriage of convenience for economic security, Elizabeth wishes to marry for love.

Susannah Harker is an English film, television, and theatre actress. She was nominated for a BAFTA TV Award in 1990 for her role as Mattie Storin in House of Cards. She played Jane Bennet in the 1995 TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

<i>Pride and Prejudice</i> (1940 film) 1940 film by Robert Zigler Leonard

Pride and Prejudice is a 1940 American film adaptation of Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice, starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, the screenplay was written by Aldous Huxley and Jane Murfin, adapted specifically from the stage adaptation by Helen Jerome, in addition to Jane Austen's novel. The story is about five sisters from an English family of landed gentry who must deal with issues of marriage, morality and misconceptions. The film was released on July 26, 1940 in the United States by MGM and was critically well received. The New York Times film critic praised the film as "the most deliciously pert comedy of old manners, the most crisp and crackling satire in costume that we in this corner can remember ever having seen on the screen."

<i>Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy</i> 2003 film

Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy is a 2003 independent romantic comedy film directed by Andrew Black and produced by Jason Faller. The screenplay, by Anne Black, Jason Faller, and Katherine Swigert, is an adaptation of Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice set in modern-day Provo, Utah. The film stars Kam Heskin as college student Elizabeth Bennet whose dreams of becoming an author supersede the cultural and societal pressures to be married. Elizabeth tries to escape the advances of several bachelors, including handsome but haughty businessman Will Darcy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jane Austen in popular culture</span> Jane Austen novels adapted to theatre, film, and television

The author Jane Austen and her works have been represented in popular culture in a variety of forms.

Katherine Jakeways is a British comedian, actor and writer. She has appeared in numerous television, radio and theatrical productions.

<i>Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa</i> 2013 British comedy film

Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa is a 2013 British comedy film starring Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge, a fictional presenter he has played on various BBC radio and television shows since 1991. It was directed by Declan Lowney and written by Coogan, Armando Iannucci, Peter Baynham and Neil and Rob Gibbons. Colm Meaney co-starred as Pat Farrell, a DJ who takes hostages after he is fired from Partridge's radio station; Partridge is enlisted as a negotiator.

<i>Hank Zipzer</i> (TV series) British TV series or programme

Hank Zipzer is a British children's television series created by Henry Winkler, based on the book series of the same name by Winkler and Lin Oliver. It stars Nick James as the 12-year-old dyslexic schoolboy, Hank Zipzer. Winkler also portrays Mr. Rock, Hank's music teacher. Unlike the books that took place in Winkler's native United States, the series takes place in London, in the United Kingdom. It also included a 2016 Christmas special, Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe. HBO Max began streaming all three seasons on May 13, 2022, and began streaming Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe on December 2, 2022.

<i>Hank Zipzers Christmas Catastrophe</i> British television film

Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe is a 2016 standalone British Christmas television film, that appeared during Season three of the Hank Zipzer. It is an adaptation of the Hank Zipzer book series by American actor Henry Winkler and children's book author Lin Oliver. HBO Max began streaming Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe on December 2, 2022.

<i>This Time with Alan Partridge</i> BBC comedy series

This Time with Alan Partridge is a British sitcom first broadcast in 2019 on BBC One. It stars Steve Coogan as the inept broadcaster Alan Partridge in a spoof of day-time magazine programmes such as The One Show and Good Morning Britain.

References

  1. Maltin, Leonard (5 August 2008). Leonard Maltin's 2009 Movie Guide . Penguin. pp.  275–. ISBN   9780452289789 . Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  2. "This page no longer exists". Archived from the original on 4 April 2019.
  3. "Felicity Jane Montagu". thepeerage.com. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Felicity Montagu". TVGuide.com.
  5. "BBC Radio 4 - Comedy - Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency - Felicity Montagu". www.bbc.co.uk.
  6. 1 2 3 "Felicity Montagu". BFI. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019.
  7. "I Want Candy (2007) - Stephen Surjik | Cast and Crew | AllMovie" via www.allmovie.com.
  8. "'Alan and Lynn have magic together': Felicity Montagu on This Time with Alan Partridge". inews.co.uk. 25 March 2019.
  9. Murphy, Amy (26 October 2014). "Dad's Army film: First photos of Catherine Zeta Jones, Toby Jones and Bill Nighy released". the Independent .
  10. "BAFTA Kids TV Preview: Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe". www.bafta.org. 18 October 2016.
  11. "Felicity Montagu". www.aveleyman.com.
  12. Darvill, Josh (28 June 2020). "Celebrity MasterChef 2020 line up of celebrity contestants revealed". TellyMix. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  13. 1 2 3 Groves, Nancy (15 September 2016). "Pride and Partridge: Felicity Montagu's comedy gold with Coogan and Austen". The Guardian .
  14. "Pride and Prejudice | Cambridge Live". www.cambridgelive.org.uk.