Frances Barber

Biography

Frances Barber is an English actress who was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, and studied drama in Bangor at the University College of North Wales. She has been nominated for Olivier Awards for Camille (1985) and Uncle Vanya (1997), and she has played Goneril in King Lear and Arkadina in The Seagull with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Her films include Prick Up Your Ears (1987), Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987), Dead Fish (2005) and Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017). On television she appeared in The Street in 2009, played Madame Kovarian in Doctor Who in 2011, and was in Silk from 2012 to 2014 and Whitstable Pearl from 2021 to 2025. She also took part in the Pet Shop Boys musicals Closer to Heaven in 2001 and Musik in 2019, and in 2006 the University of Wolverhampton awarded her an honorary fellowship.

68years old

Turns 69 on May 13in 212 days

Born May 13, 1958Wolverhampton
Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20

Movie Career

Films: 17
Career span: 33 years1985 to 2018

Genres

Drama88%, 15 films
Comedy29%, 5 films
Biography18%, 3 films
Crime18%, 3 films
Mystery18%, 3 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

Beyond film
Barber appeared in the Pet Shop Boys' musical Closer to Heaven in 2001. She was also a guest singer on the song "Friendly Fire" at their 2006 live concert at the Mermaid Theatre.

Frances Barber movies on Netflix

Blue Iguana2018IMDb rating 5.6as Princess
Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool2017IMDb rating 6.7as Joy
The Bookshop2017IMDb rating 6.5as Jessie Welford
The Escape2017IMDb rating 5.9as Alison
Mr. Holmes2015IMDb rating 6.8as Matinee "Madame Schirmer"
Goal II: Living the Dream2007IMDb rating 5.8as Carol Harmison
Dead Fish2005IMDb rating 5.3as S & M Prostitute
Evilenko2003IMDb rating 6.1as Fenja Evilenka
Esther Kahn2000IMDb rating 6.7as Rivka Kahn
Shiner2000IMDb rating 5.9as Georgie
Still Crazy1998IMDb rating 7.0as Lady in Black
Photographing Fairies1997IMDb rating 6.7as Beatrice Templeton
Young Soul Rebels1991IMDb rating 6.2as Ann
Prick Up Your Ears1987IMDb rating 7.1as Leonie Orton
Sammy and Rosie Get Laid1987IMDb rating 6.6as Rosie Hobbs
Castaway1986IMDb rating 5.8as Sister Saint Winifred
A Zed & Two Noughts1985IMDb rating 7.2as Venus de Milo

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

Top

A Zed & Two Noughts1985 Comedy, Dramaas Venus de Milo
IMDb rating 7.28.2K votes
Mr. Holmes2015 Drama, Mysteryas Matinee "Madame Schirmer"
IMDb rating 6.871K votes
The Bookshop2017as Jessie Welford
IMDb rating 6.519K votes
Evilenko2003as Fenja Evilenka
IMDb rating 6.14.0K votes
Castaway1986as Sister Saint Winifred
IMDb rating 5.83.7K votes
Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool2017as Joy
IMDb rating 6.711K votes
The Escape2017as Alison
IMDb rating 5.92.6K votes
Photographing Fairies1997as Beatrice Templeton
IMDb rating 6.73.0K votes

Most often with

Stephen Frears directed two of these films. Phil Davis appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

Top

Phil Davis

Bill Nighy

Vanessa Redgrave

Gary Oldman

Julie Walters

Sean Pertwee

Stephen FrearsDirector, 2 films

Films together

Phil Davis3 films together, 1997 to 2015
Phil Davis's page
- Mr. Holmes2015IMDb rating 6.8Barber as Matinee "Madame Schirmer"Davis as Inspector Gilbert
- Still Crazy1998IMDb rating 7.0Barber as Lady in BlackDavis as Limo Driver
- Photographing Fairies1997IMDb rating 6.7Barber as Beatrice TempletonDavis as Roy
Bill Nighy2 films together, 1998 to 2017
Bill Nighy's page
- The Bookshop2017IMDb rating 6.5Barber as Jessie WelfordNighy as Mr. Brundish
- Still Crazy1998IMDb rating 7.0Barber as Lady in BlackNighy as Ray Simms
Vanessa Redgrave2 films together, 1987 to 2017
Vanessa Redgrave's page
- Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool2017IMDb rating 6.7Barber as JoyRedgrave as Jean
- Prick Up Your Ears1987IMDb rating 7.1Barber as Leonie OrtonRedgrave as Peggy Ramsay
Gary Oldman2 films together, 1987 to 2005
Gary Oldman's page
- Dead Fish2005IMDb rating 5.3Barber as S & M ProstituteOldman as Lynch
- Prick Up Your Ears1987IMDb rating 7.1Barber as Leonie OrtonOldman as Joe Orton
Julie Walters2 films together, 1987 to 2017
Julie Walters's page
- Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool2017IMDb rating 6.7Barber as JoyWalters as Bella
- Prick Up Your Ears1987IMDb rating 7.1Barber as Leonie OrtonWalters as Elsie Orton
Sean Pertwee2 films together, 1987 to 2007
Sean Pertwee's page
- Goal II: Living the Dream2007IMDb rating 5.8Barber as Carol HarmisonPertwee as Barry Rankin
- Prick Up Your Ears1987IMDb rating 7.1Barber as Leonie OrtonPertwee as Orton's Friend
Stephen FrearsDirector, 2 films, 1987
All films by Stephen Frears
- Prick Up Your Ears1987IMDb rating 7.1Barber as Leonie Orton
- Sammy and Rosie Get Laid1987IMDb rating 6.6Barber as Rosie Hobbs
Also two films together5 more actors
- John SessionsMr. Holmes (2015) and Castaway (1986)
- Kenneth CranhamFilm Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017) and Shiner (2000)
- Michael CulkinMr. Holmes (2015) and Photographing Fairies (1997)
- Philip DavisMr. Holmes (2015) and Still Crazy (1998)
- Amanda DonohoeBlue Iguana (2018) and Castaway (1986)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.