Kim Thomson

Last updated

Kim Ellen Thomson (born 30 October 1959) is a British actress who has appeared on stage, television and film since the early 1980s in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

Contents

Early life

Thomson was born on 30 October 1959, [1] although other sources have said in 1960 [2] and 1964, [3] in Scotland [3] or Bath, Somerset, England to a Scottish father and Irish mother. Her parents split when she was three years old, and she was raised in Surrey by her father's parents, who were originally from Alloa. [4] [5] At the age of six, she was sent to a boarding school for five years. Much later she went on record to say boarding schools should be abolished. [6]

She trained as an actress at the Central School of Speech and Drama. [5]

Career

Her most memorable role was that of Lesley Bainbridge in the BBC sitcom Brush Strokes , which at its peak, was watched by over 15 million people with the British tabloids avidly following the storyline. In the 1987 episode of the TV series "Tales of the Unexpected" Thomson played the role of hotel maid Elly Somerton alongside Topol who starred as the lead character Professor Max Kelada.

Thomson shared her first lead in Stealing Heaven (1988) with Derek de Lint and Denholm Elliott. In its review, Films and filming said "Kim Thomson's Heloïse moves with delicate poise, a heroine worthy of Rossetti or Burne-Jones, with vivacity and intelligence." [7] The next year, 1989, she played Estella in a film of Great Expectations directed by Kevin Connor, with Jean Simmons, who had played Estella in the 1946 film, as Miss Havisham. [8] Also in 1989 she was Cordelia on stage in King Lear , directed by Jonathan Miller, with the British Theatre Yearbook commenting "Kim Thomson's Cordelia can rarely have been equalled; she was exquisite in beauty, tender in care, full of youthful integrity." [9]

In 1991, she played Kitty Winter opposite Jeremy Brett in The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes : "The Illustrious Client", and in 1992, Thomson was the leading lady of the TV series Virtual Murder , and in 1994, she played another leading role in a costume drama series, The Wanderer . Dozens more appearances in film and on television followed, often as a character actress, such as her role as a society reporter in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004).

In 1997, she took on the part of Lady Chiltern in An Ideal Husband , of which the Theatre Record said "Others have played this pure, cool, idealistic, demanding role with more authority and finesse, but she is simply right for it". [10] In 2001, she was Irina in a new West End theatre production of Uncle Vanya directed by Peter Gill. [11]

During 2008, Thomson had a recurring role in ITV's detective show The Bill , as barrister Naomi Woods, wife of DC Jacob Banks.

In March 2009, she became a regular cast member of the ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale , playing the role of Faye Lamb. At the end of 2009, she signed a new contract with the show. In January 2011, it was reported that she was leaving the show and would make her on-screen departure later in the year. [12]

Personal life

In 2010, Thomson graduated from the University of London with a degree in politics, philosophy and history. [4]

Film and television

Theatre

TheatrePlayRoleDirector
Phoenix Theatre Alan Bleasdale's Are You Lonesome Tonight? Priscilla Presley Robin Lefevre
Haymarket Theatre & Old Vic An Ideal Husband Lady Chiltern Peter Hall [ citation needed ]
Old Vic Theatre (1989) King Lear Cordelia Jonathan Miller [13]
Theatre Royal, Bath Present Laughter Joanna Dominic Dromgoole [ citation needed ]
Battersea Arts Centre The StrangerMadame Y Michael Billington [ citation needed ]
Battersea Arts CentreTraveller Without LuggageValentine Nicholas de Jongh [ citation needed ]
Field Day Theatre Company Uncle Vanya Elena Peter Gill [ citation needed ]
Watford Palace Theatre Wedding SongStella Michael Attenborough [ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freddie Jones</span> English actor (1927–2019)

Frederick Charles Jones was an English actor who had an extensive career in television, theatre and cinema productions for almost sixty years. In theatre, he was best known for originating the role of Sir in The Dresser; in film, he was best known for his role as the showman Bytes in The Elephant Man (1980); and in television, he was best known for playing Sandy Thomas in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale from 2005 to 2018.

Anne Gwendolyn "Wendy" Craig is an English actress who is best known for her appearances in the sitcoms Not in Front of the Children, ...And Mother Makes Three, ...And Mother Makes Five and Butterflies. She played the role of Matron in the TV series The Royal (2003–2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louise Jameson</span> English actress (born 1951)

Louise Marion Jameson is an English actress with a variety of television and theatre credits. Her roles on television have included playing Leela in Doctor Who (1977–1978), Anne Reynolds in The Omega Factor (1979), Blanche Simmons in Tenko (1981–1982), Susan Young in Bergerac (1985–1990), Rosa di Marco in EastEnders (1998–2000) and Mary Goskirk in Emmerdale (2022–present).

Gabrielle Glaister is an English actress, best known for her role as Patricia Farnham in British soap opera Brookside and Trish Wallace in Family Affairs. She is also notable for her portrayal of Bob/Kate/Bobbie Parkhurst in several episodes of Blackadder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patsy Kensit</span> British actress and pop singer

Patricia Jude Kensit is an English actress and singer. Beginning her career as a child actor, Kensit gained attention when she acted in a string of commercials for Birds Eye frozen peas. She went on to appear in films such as The Great Gatsby (1974), Gold (1974), Alfie Darling (1975), Hennessy (1975), The Blue Bird (1976) and Hanover Street (1979). Balancing a dual career as both an actress and a singer, in 1983 Kensit formed and became the lead singer of the pop band Eighth Wonder. The group released several singles, including the top 20 hits "I'm Not Scared" and "Cross My Heart", before disbanding in 1989.

Rebecca Cordingly, known professionally as Beth Cordingly, is an English actress, known for her appearances in series The Bill, Dead Set, The Burning Girls and Emmerdale.

Amanda Donohoe is an English actress. She first came to public attention at age 16 for her relationship with pop singer Adam Ant, appearing in the music videos for the Adam and the Ants singles "Antmusic" (1980) and "Stand and Deliver" (1981) during their four-year relationship. After making her film debut in Foreign Body (1986), she co-starred in Castaway with Oliver Reed and starred in two films by Ken Russell: The Lair of the White Worm (1988) and The Rainbow (1989).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glynis Barber</span> South African actress (b. 1955)

Glynis Barber is a South African actress. She is known for her portrayals of Sgt. Harriet Makepeace in the British police drama Dempsey and Makepeace, Glenda Mitchell in EastEnders, DCI Grace Barraclough in Emmerdale, Norma Crow in Hollyoaks, Fiona Brake in Night and Day, and Soolin in Blake's 7.

Gillian Louise Kearney is an English actress best known for her early role as Debbie McGrath in Channel 4's Liverpool-based soap opera Brookside and the spin-off mini-series Damon and Debbie, and for playing Jessica Harrison in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty, as well as Emma Barton in the ITV Yorkshire-based soap opera Emmerdale. The role of Emma gained her recognition because of character's involvement in Emmerdale’s most high-profile storylines during her three-year stint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diane Parish</span> English actress (born 1969)

Diane Carol Richards, known professionally as Diane Parish, is an English actress, who has been portraying the character Denise Fox on the BBC One soap opera EastEnders since 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sue Lloyd</span> English model and actress (1939–2011)

Susan Margery Jeaffreson Lloyd was an English model and actress, with numerous film and television credits. She may be best known for her long-running role as Barbara Hunter in the British soap opera Crossroads and Cordelia Winfield in the ITC series The Baron.

Malandra Elizabeth Burrows is an English actress and singer. She is best known for her long-running role as Kathy Glover in ITV soap opera Emmerdale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Marchant</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Steve Marchant is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Paul Opacic. He made his first on-screen appearance on 26 March 1996. Opacic originally auditioned for the role of Sean Rossi, before he was cast as Steve for an initial six-episode stint, and was introduced as a former university friend of Rachel Hughes. Series producer Kieran Roberts decided to write the character out in 1998, and Opacic made his final appearance on 20 January 1999. Later that year, Steve was named one of "The 30 greatest Emmerdale residents" by Inside Soap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Wylde</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Mark Wylde is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Maxwell Caulfield. He made his first appearance on 15 January 2009 and departed on 14 January 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natasha Wylde</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Natasha Wylde is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Amanda Donohoe. She made her first appearance, along with her husband Mark Wylde, on 15 January 2009. It was announced in July 2010 that Donohoe had quit her role as Natasha, and would leave the series later in the year. She made her final appearance on 24 November 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faye Lamb</span> Fictional character from Emmerdale

Faye Lamb is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Kim Thomson. She made her first on-screen appearance on 27 March 2009. In January 2011, it was announced that Thomson had quit the series, and she departed on 24 March of that year.

Ryan Lamb (<i>Emmerdale</i>) Fictional character from Emmerdale

Ryan Lamb is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale. He was played by actor James Sutton and made his first appearance in June 2009. In February 2011, it was announced that Sutton would be leaving the show in spring 2011. He made his last appearance on 26 April 2011.

This article describes minor characters from the Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and from non-canonical derived works. The list excludes the titular character as well as Dr. Watson, Professor Moriarty, Inspector Lestrade, Mycroft Holmes, Mrs. Hudson, Irene Adler, Colonel Moran, the Baker Street Irregulars, and characters not significant enough to mention.

Jemma Churchill is an English television, theatre, film and radio actress, best known for her roles as Nanny Lyons in Upstairs Downstairs, and Ms Fellows in Waterloo Road.

References

  1. ↑ HIGHLAND FLING FILMS LTD incorporation document dated 30 June 2011, at companieshouse.gov.uk, accessed 6 July 2019: "Date of birth: 30/10/1959"
  2. ↑ "Kim Thomson." Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television. Vol. 76. Gale, 2007, pages 333–335.
  3. 1 2 "Latest News". OfficialKimThomson.co.uk.
  4. 1 2 Welch, Tricia (29 September 2010). "Kim Thomson" . Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  5. 1 2 Steve Hendry (18 October 2009). "I'm delighted I swapped Hollywood for Emmerdale, says Kim Thomson". Daily Record . Scotland. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  6. ↑ Rick Fulton (1 March 2010). "Emmerdale star Kim Thomson: I've handed out a few slaps since I joined soap.. and received a few". Daily Record . Scotland. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  7. ↑ Films and filming, Issues 413–422 (Hansom Books, 1989), pp. 44–45
  8. ↑ John Glavin, Dickens on Screen, p. 214
  9. ↑ David Lemmon, British Theatre Yearbook 1990, pp. 43–44
  10. ↑ Theatre Record, vol. 17, Issues 9–17 (1997), p. 975
  11. ↑ Plays international, vol. 17 (Chancery Publications Ltd., 2001), p. 9
  12. ↑ Daniel Kilkelly (30 January 2011). "Kim Thomson to leave 'Emmerdale'". digitalspy.co.uk. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  13. ↑ Stanley Wells, Shakespeare Survey Vol. 43 (Cambridge University Press, 2002), p. 194
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.