If you had to pick the 3 best British actresses of all time, who would they be?
Posted by strassgaten@reddit | AskABrit | View on Reddit | 100 comments
For me after much painful deliberation it's
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Maggie Smith
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Judi Dench
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Emma Thompson
Sorry Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Julie Andrews, Vanessa Redgrave and all the other amazing women.
Foundation_Wrong@reddit
Edith Evans
Margaret Rutherford
Virginia McKenna
Boldboy72@reddit
Margaret Rutherford is a fantastic choice. But also from that era is the wonderful Jean Simmons
her Estella in "Great Expectations" literally stole the show
Foundation_Wrong@reddit
She was a great actress !
fanacapoopan@reddit
Yes, another Rutherford lover. And Judi Dench and Tilda Swinton
Boldboy72@reddit
the greatest British Actress of all time, hands down and no one can beat her is Jean Simmons.
It seems that just because she was from before you were born you are not aware of this (she is from before I was born too and I once would have done a list like you until I discovered her movies)
Zealousideal_Till683@reddit
Benibonkers@reddit
Audrey Hepburn massively overated and barely attractive, just hollywood hype photo shop and bullshit.
Joanna1604@reddit
Audrey Hepburn was a beautiful woman. The reason she was so thin was because she almost starved to death in WWII and this physically affected her for the rest of her life.
Benibonkers@reddit
I still stand by my comment and opinion.
Specialist-Web7854@reddit
Well beauty is subjective, but as far as I’m concerned she was stunning. The idea that she was photoshopped is ludicrous though!
Benibonkers@reddit
All hollywood is photoshopped too create and sell the product.
Specialist-Web7854@reddit
Photoshop didn’t exist when AH was a star.
Benibonkers@reddit
It might not have been called photo shot back then, but all pictures from hollywood have been touched up too create the perfect product.
Specialist-Web7854@reddit
So why are you singling out Audrey Hepburn?
Benibonkers@reddit
Just the first name that came too mind and an image from the past you still see today on posters n pictures in stores, to be fair could have been liz taylor or any of the screen icons ( so called).
Specialist-Web7854@reddit
But you were specific about AH being overrated and barely attractive. Now you say it’s any of the screen icons?
Benibonkers@reddit
AH in my opinion was overrated and wasn't attractive imo, and all the so called screen icons are pushed by a massive publicity machine and are touched up and designed and manipulated into the mainstream and we are told they are beautiful and talented, when basically they do fuck all, i find the all industry of hollywood and the cult of celebrity to be abhorrent.
Specialist-Web7854@reddit
Maybe this thread isn’t for you then.
Benibonkers@reddit
Maybe not, but im allowed too have an opinion.
Specialist-Web7854@reddit
Bit pointless in this case though. Like joining a football thread just to say football is shit. Why bother.
Benibonkers@reddit
Why not tho.
Specialist-Web7854@reddit
Because then you’re only there to bring other people down.
fireflypoet@reddit
How insulting.
Benibonkers@reddit
Just an opinion
EnjoysAGoodRead@reddit
My list would be very similar to yours: Angela Lansbury, Audrey Hepburn, Vivien Leigh
Call_It_What_U_Want2@reddit
I’ve been looking for someone to say Vivien Leigh!!
EnjoysAGoodRead@reddit
I actually also want to add Patricia Routledge... but not sure who I would switch out! They are all amazing!
weedywet@reddit
Audrey Hepburn was Belgium.
justameercat@reddit
A country?
strassgaten@reddit (OP)
Audrey Hepburn had a mixed upbringing but calling her British is a bit of a stretch, she was more Dutch/Belgian than British.
strassgaten@reddit (OP)
Audrey Hepburn had a mixed upbringing but calling her British is a bit of a stretch, she was more Dutch/Belgian than British.
Zealousideal_Till683@reddit
She was a British citizen - and only British, she wasn't entitled to Dutch citizenship. Her father was British. She spent much of her childhood in Britain, and was a native English speaker. She considered herself half-British, half-Dutch.
I feel like it's an extremely weird and exclusionary position to say she wasn't British.
ICASilverBaller31@reddit
I’m lucky enough to have seen (1) and (2) together on the same London stage.
orensiocled@reddit
I'd put Sophie Okonedo in there.
zippy72@reddit
The episode of Criminal: UK with her in is an absolute master class.
spicyzsurviving@reddit
If we’re considering stage acting, Miriam Margolyes deserves a mention. She makes Dickens come alive.
Klor204@reddit
I do quite enjoy Dawn French, even for the "Don't tap it, WHACK IT" Terry's chocolate orange ad. Dani Harmer's Tracy Breaker's portrayal was rather iconic. June Brown, playing Dot, on Corrie is pretty iconic too!
eatseveryth1ng@reddit
Olivia Colman deserves a mention
under_ice@reddit
She deserves #1
Aloysius_Poptart@reddit
Seconded. Incredible comedy chops, utterly heartbreaking in dramatic roles.
BoatDogGirl@reddit
An embarrassment of riches here. But I have to suggest Eileen Atkins because she's so great that you don't often realize you were watching her in a film or tv show until you read the credits at the end.
tjjwaddo@reddit
Monica Dolman is an awesome actress.
PiotrGreenholz01@reddit
Yes - elevates everything she's in.
PiotrGreenholz01@reddit
Windsor, Jaques, Sims.
Paulstan67@reddit
Mary Millington, Vicki Michelle and Linzi Drew. (Nobody said they had to be good at acting 🥸😆)
SubstantialClass8955@reddit
Olivia Colman, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson.
DrCheese67@reddit
Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Olivia Coleman are up there.
Can I add a couple of Dianas into the mix - Rigg and Quick?
I once saw Diana Quick perform The Woman Destroyed - completely and utterly captivating.
Diana Rigg - iconic as Mrs Peel and generally fabulous after that.
Acceptable_Bunch_586@reddit
Where’s Dame Glenda Jackson in all that?
shugavery96@reddit
Helena Bonham Carter
Sarah Lancashire
Kate Winslet
Cold_Martini1956@reddit
Don’t forget Mrs. Lovett! Angela Lansbury was born in London.
GreatChaosFudge@reddit
For presence: Glenda Jackson.
For range: hard to look beyond Kate Winslet (I assume we don’t count Julianne Moore, who’s a dual citizen). I hear you, Emma Thompson fans, but Winslet edges it for me.
For sheer joy: Julie Walters.
Englishbirdy@reddit
Great choices!
Englishbirdy@reddit
Glenda Jackson, Julie Christie, Kate Winslet.
trevpr1@reddit
Joan Fontaine
Jean Simmons
Deborah Kerr
Proud-Biscotti-6194@reddit
Maggie smith Olivia Colman Emma Thompson
fireflypoet@reddit
I think I have to agree with OP. Runners-up are Olivia Colman, Siobhan Finneran, Nicola Walker, and Sarah Lancashire. What I especially appreciate about British actresses: no drastic plastic surgery that makes them look like drum skins over turkey necks, like Americans.
strassgaten@reddit (OP)
That's actually a whole topic right now - British actresses aging naturally as opposed to American actresses who are all messing up their faces and morphing into the same fake instagrammy, heavily botoxed stiff pillow look. One of the reasons is that most British actresses play or have played in period dramas, and having a Kardashian look is kind of an issue when it comes to credibility in that.
fireflypoet@reddit
Sometimes I want to weep when I see what some American actresses have had done to themselves. Some I could only recognize by their voices. (And it's not just American, Australian too.)
fireflypoet@reddit
Right after I wrote this, I saw one of my favorite American actresses on a new show. Gloria Reuben. I could tell it was her voice, but her face is now very altered by "work" having been done.
Loose_Acanthaceae201@reddit
Adding Jessie Buckley, Thandiwe Newton, Adjoa Andoh, Frances de la Tour, Hayley Atwell, Romola Garai, Fiona Shaw, Tilda Swinton and Emily Blunt.
PROINSIAS62@reddit
Jessie Buckley and Fiona Shaw are Irish.
Loose_Acanthaceae201@reddit
My mistake!
ThatBlokeYouKnow@reddit
1 Jasmine Jae
2 Ella Hughes
3 Harmony Reigns
According to xvideos
wasdice@reddit
Sheridan Smith, Maxine Peake, Vinette Robinson, Anne Reid, Miranda Richardson
Lopsided_Soup_3533@reddit
Olivia Colman Nicola walker Helen Bonham -carter
Sensitive-Ad-7475@reddit
Came here to say Maxine. Also Samantha Morton
jonny-p@reddit
Just to throw a few not already mentioned into the mix Charlotte Rampling, Samantha Morton, Rosamund Pike, Carey Mulligan, Miranda Richardson, Naomi Watts, Lesley Manville
fireflypoet@reddit
Cynthia Imrie, Imelda Staunton.
BlackJackKetchum@reddit
Mirren, Winslett and Glenda Jackson.
ume-shu@reddit
Was looking for Glenda Jackson, criminal that she's not mentioned more.
BlackJackKetchum@reddit
I tried to choose three women with a long track record of playing, convincingly, very different characters.
PROINSIAS62@reddit
Luz Taylor Helen Mirren Judi Dench
In no particular order.
Help_My_Face@reddit
CrowApprehensive204@reddit
Keeley Hawes, Cush Jumbo, Nicola walker
Positive_Ad3450@reddit
Sheridan Smith deserves a mention for playing Mrs Biggs, Cilla, and other roles including the railway children, Benidorm, Gavin and Stacey and two pints of lager and a packet of crisps.
Illustrious-Star1@reddit
Sheridan Smith is amazing. She had me in tears watching I Fought the Law.
PossibleGlad7290@reddit
Maggie Smith, Pat Phoenix, Judi Dench.
stairway2000@reddit
Olivia Colman.
Tilda Swinton.
Carey Mulligan.
QuicheIorraine@reddit
Helena bonham carter, Olivia Colman and Emma Thompson for me. I really like Hannah Waddingham, but she’s isn’t on the same level at the others.
twogunsalute@reddit
Vivien Leigh, Maggie Smith, Kate Winslet.
Spiritual_Edge_1831@reddit
Jodie Comer, Maggie Smith, Olivia Colman
Ok-Application-8045@reddit
Yes, was looking for a mention of Jodie Comer. Amazing range, brilliant at accents.
No_Doubt_About_That@reddit
Jodie Comer just for her number of accents.
Olivia Colman for her range from going from Doris in Hot Fuzz to the queen
Johnny_Vernacular@reddit
Samantha Morton, Miranda Richardson, Maxine Peake.
Icy_Ear7079@reddit
Olivia Coleman, Samantha Morton and Emily Watson, but it was hard to discount Jodie Comer, Vicky Mclure and Sarah Lancashire.
AltruisticFigure3662@reddit
Kathy Burke
Jodie Comer
Sheridan Smith
tenaji9@reddit
Glenda Jackson, Judi Dench, Maggie Smith.
DeepNegotiation4542@reddit
Kristin Scott Thomas Fiona Shaw Maggie Smith
Pure_Cantaloupe_3195@reddit
Fiona Shaw is Irish
nonsequitur__@reddit
I’m going for Vanessa Redgrave, Samantha Morton and Olivia Colman. Tough call though.
coolsunny98@reddit
Sally Bretton
Midnightraven3@reddit
Sarah Lancashire
Pam Ferris
Maggie Smith
Snickerty@reddit
I'll add Amanda Root.
elbapo@reddit
Gillian Anderson Kate Beckinsale Emily Blunt
By acting ability alone. Great, great, acting.
Electric_Death_1349@reddit
Bonnie Blue
Lily Phillips
Mary Millington
mearnsgeek@reddit
Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Olivia Colman
TheBeaverKing@reddit
Julie Walters, Kate Winslet, Tilda Swinton for me.
They're all iconic, have incredible range and feature in some of my most beloved films.
acorn_antique@reddit
I first saw Tilda Swinton in Orlando. She hasn't lost any of that androgynous charisma.
My_Knee_is_a_Ship@reddit
Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Tilda Swinton.
qualityvote2@reddit
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