Carol Buchanan Royle (born 10 February 1954)[1] is an English actress. She is best known for playing Jenny Russell in the BBC sitcom Life Without George (1987—1989) and Lady Patricia Brewster in Heartbeat (1997—2003).[2]

Carol Royle
Royle in 2011
Born
Carol Buchanan Royle

10 February 1954 (1954-02-10) (age 70)
OccupationActress
Spouse
Julian Spear
(m. 1977)
Children2
Websitewww.carolroyle.co.uk

Early life

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Born in Blackpool, the daughter of actor Derek Royle, Carol Royle studied drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama.[3]

Career

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Making her screen debut in 45 episodes of The Cedar Tree from 1977 to 1978, Royle went on to become known for her role as Jenny Russell in the BBC sitcom Life Without George, which ran for three series from 1987 to 1989, as well as her role in ITV1's 1960s-based drama Heartbeat, in which she played Austin Healey-driving Lady Patricia Brewster in four episodes.[4][5] In 1989, she appeared in the prominent role of Jessica in Blackeyes, written by Dennis Potter.[6] Other television shows Royle has appeared in are Blake's 7, The Professionals, Bergerac, Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense, Cribb, Crossroads, The Outsider, Casualty, Ladies in Charge, Crime Traveller, The Bill, Doctors, and Father Brown.[7] Her film career includes roles in The Greek Tycoon (1978) and Tuxedo Warrior (1982).

Since 2019, Royle has played Mrs Bright in the Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour, appearing in five episodes of the series.[1]

Personal life

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She married musician Julian Spear, son of actor Bernard Spear, in 1977. They have two children, Taran and Talitha.[8]

Her younger sister Amanda Royle is also an actress.[8] The two played sisters in the 1990 Casualty episode Say It With Flowers

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role(s) Notes
1978 The Greek Tycoon Nico's Girlfriend
1982 Tuxedo Warrior Lisa
1989 Deadline Carol
2014 Miss in Her Teens Aunt

Television

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Year Title Role(s) Notes
1977-1978 The Cedar Tree Laura Collins 45 episodes
1978 Blake's 7 Mutoid Episode: "Duel"
1978 The Professionals Helen Pierce Episode: "A Stirring of Dust"
1979 The Professionals Anna Batak Episode: "Dead Reckoning"
1979 The Dick Francis Thriller Trish Latham Episode: "Trackdown"
1979 Cribb Miriam Cromer Episode: "Waxwork"
1980 Heartland Jane Price 2 episodes
1983 Shades of Darkness Maggie Winthrop Episode: "Feet Foremost"
1983 Storyboard Jane Alexander Episode: "Judgement Day"
1983 The Outsider Fiona Neave All 6 episodes
1983 Bergerac Irene Maybank Episode: "Ninety Per Cent Proof"
1984 Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense Kim Osborn Episode: "And the Wall Came Tumbling Down"
1984 Oxbridge Blues Tory Episode: "That Was Tory"
1984 Ellen Episode: "The Muse"
1985 Summer Season Eleanor Episode: "A Still Small Shout"
1985 Storyboard Diana Granville Episode: "Ladies in Charge"
1986 Ladies in Charge All 6 episodes
1987-1989 Life Without George Jenny Russell All 20 episodes
1987 Screen Two Rachel Episode: "Hedgehog Wedding"
1987 London Embassy Hon. Sophie Graveney Episode: "An Unofficial English Rose"
1989 Blackeyes Jessica All 4 episodes
1990 Casualty Lizzie Trent Episode: "Say It with Flowers"
1996 The Bill Lyn Forbes Episode: "Cheating"
1997 Crime Traveller Sonja Duvall Episode: "Fashion Shoot"
1997-2003 Heartbeat Lady Patricia Brewster 4 episodes
1997 Thief Takers Julia Maybury Episode: "Fashion Victims"
1999 Grange Hill Sarah Lyons Episode: #22.5
2000 Second Sight: Hide and Seek Sarah Finch TV film
2001-2002 Crossroads Diane Lawrence Unknown episodes
2001 The Bill Jennifer Salter 2 episodes
2005 Doctors Kathy Watson Episode: "Conflicts of Interest"
2006 Mayo Gwen Bainbridge Episode: "Requiem for a Dove"
2006 Doctors Victoria Payne 10 episodes
2007 New Tricks Diane Bathley-Jones Episode: "Father's Pride"
2010 Casualty Sheila Bainbridge Episode: "Dark Places"
2011 Doctors Martha Locke Episode: "Chelsea Girl"
2012 Alice Davidson Episode: "What I'm Good At"
2015-2016 Casualty Emilie Groome 4 episodes
2017 Father Brown Lady Ursula Lansford Episode: "The Hand of Lucia"
2017 Doctors Elaine Bottrell Episode: "The Old Toe and the New Nose"
2019-2020 Endeavour Mrs. Bright 5 episodes
2019 Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators Anastasia Kusk Episode: "This Cursed Hand"
2024 Coronation Street Anthea Deering Mother of Joel Deering

References

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  1. ^ a b "Carol Royle". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Debrett's, Carol Buchanan (Mrs Julian Spear) Royle".
  3. ^ "Carol Royle Website". Archived from the original on 12 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Life Without George". 12 March 1987. p. 63 – via BBC Genome.
  5. ^ "Heartbeat - S7 - Episode 9: Sons and Lovers". Radio Times.
  6. ^ "BFI Screenonline: Blackeyes (1989)". www.screenonline.org.uk.
  7. ^ "Carol Royle". www.aveleyman.com.
  8. ^ a b "Carol Royle Website, Carol's Biography". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016.
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