Pauline Collins

Pauline Angela Collins (3 September 1940 – 5 November 2025) was a British actress who first rose to fame portraying Sarah Moffat in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1973) and its spin-off Thomas & Sarah (1979). In 1992, she published her autobiography, Letter to Louise. Collins played the title role in the play Shirley Valentine for which she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress, and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. She reprised the role in the 1989 film adaptation of the play, winning a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, an Evening Standard British Film Award, and nominations for both an Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe Award for the Best Performance by an Actress - Motion Picture. Collins also starred in the television dramas Forever Green (1989–1992) and The Ambassador (1998–1999). Her other film appearances include City of Joy (1992) and Paradise Road (1997).

Infobox

Born

Pauline Angela Collins(1940-09-03)3 September 1940Exmouth, Devon, England

Died

5 November 2025(2025-11-05) (aged 85)Highgate, London, England

Alma mater

Central School of Speech and Drama

Occupation

Actress

Years active

1962–2017

Spouse

mw- John Alderton (m. 1969)

Children

Tables

· Filmography › Film

1966

Secrets of a Windmill Girl

Role(s)

Pat Lord

1989

Shirley Valentine

Role(s)

Shirley Valentine-Bradshaw

1992

City of Joy

Role(s)

Joan Bethel

1995

My Mother's Courage

Role(s)

Elsa Tabori

1997

Paradise Road

Role(s)

Daisy 'Margaret' Drummond

2000

One Life Stand

Role(s)

Karaoke Crowd

2002

Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War

Role(s)

Thelma Caldicot

2009

From Time to Time

Role(s)

Mrs. Tweedie

2010

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger

Role(s)

Cristal

2011

Albert Nobbs

Role(s)

Margaret 'Madge' Baker

2012

Quartet

Role(s)

Cissy Robson

2015

Dough

Role(s)

Joanna

2017

The Time of Their Lives

Role(s)

Priscilla

Byrd and the Bees

Role(s)

Beatrice

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1966	Secrets of a Windmill Girl	Pat Lord
1989	Shirley Valentine	Shirley Valentine-Bradshaw
1992	City of Joy	Joan Bethel
1995	My Mother's Courage	Elsa Tabori
1997	Paradise Road	Daisy 'Margaret' Drummond
2000	One Life Stand	Karaoke Crowd
2002	Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War	Thelma Caldicot
2009	From Time to Time	Mrs. Tweedie
2010	You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger	Cristal
2011	Albert Nobbs	Margaret 'Madge' Baker
2012	Quartet	Cissy Robson
2015	Dough	Joanna
2017	The Time of Their Lives	Priscilla
2017	Byrd and the Bees	Beatrice

· Filmography › Television

1957

Emergency – Ward 10

Role(s)

Nurse Elliott

Notes

1 episode

1966

The Marriage Lines

Role(s)

Jean

Notes

Episode: "Big Business"

Pardon the Expression

Role(s)

Miss Wainwright / Val

Notes

3 episodes

The Saint

Role(s)

Marie-Therese

Notes

Episode: "The Better Mousetrap"

Blackmail

Role(s)

Freida Straker

Notes

Episode: "Please Do Not Disturb"

1967

The Avengers

Role(s)

Miss Peadbody (voice, uncredited)

Notes

Episode: "Dead Man's Treasure"

Doctor Who

Role(s)

Samantha Briggs

Notes

Serial: "The Faceless Ones"

1968

Armchair Theatre

Role(s)

Betty / Mary Murtagh

Notes

2 episodes

1969

The Old Campaigner

Role(s)

Winnie Haldane

Notes

Episode: "French Farce"

Comedy Playhouse

Role(s)

Dawn / Marjorie

Notes

2 episodes

The Liver Birds

Role(s)

Dawn

Notes

5 episodes

1972

Country Matters

Role(s)

Ruby

Notes

Episode: "Crippled Bloom"

1971–1973

Role(s)

Upstairs, Downstairs

Notes

Sarah Moffat

1974

No, Honestly

Role(s)

Clara Burrell-Danby

Notes

13 episodes

1975

BBC Play of the Month

Role(s)

Lady Teazle

Notes

Episode: "The School for Scandal"

1975–1976

Role(s)

Wodehouse Playhouse

Notes

various characters

1979

Thomas & Sarah

Role(s)

Sarah Moffat

Play for Today

Role(s)

Eileen

Notes

Episode: "Long Distance Information"

1980

Tales of the Unexpected

Role(s)

Pat Lewis

Notes

Episode: "A Girl Can't Always Have Everything"

1984

Knockback

Role(s)

Sylvia

Notes

TV movie

1985

The Black Tower

Role(s)

Maggie Hewson

Notes

5 episodes

1988

Tales of the Unexpected

Role(s)

Eve Peregrine

Notes

Episode: "The Colonel's Lady"

1989–1992

Role(s)

Forever Green

Notes

Harriet Boult

1996

Flowers of the Forest

Role(s)

Aileen Matthews

Notes

TV movie

1998–1999

Role(s)

The Ambassador

Notes

Harriet Smith

2000

Little Grey Rabbit

Notes

TV series

2002

Man and Boy

Role(s)

Betty Silver

Notes

TV movie

2003

Sparkling Cyanide

Role(s)

Dr. Catherine Kendall

2005

Bleak House

Role(s)

Miss Flite

Notes

10 episodes

2006

Doctor Who

Role(s)

Queen Victoria

Notes

Episode: "Tooth and Claw"

What We Did on Our Holiday

Role(s)

Lil Taylor

Notes

TV movie

2010

Agatha Christie's Marple

Role(s)

Thyrza Grey

Notes

Episode: "The Pale Horse"

Merlin

Role(s)

Alice

Notes

Episode: "Love in the Time of Dragons"

2011–2012

Role(s)

Mount Pleasant

Notes

Sue

2015–2016

Role(s)

Dickensian

Notes

Mrs Gamp

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1957	Emergency – Ward 10	Nurse Elliott	1 episode
1966	The Marriage Lines	Jean	Episode: "Big Business"
	Pardon the Expression	Miss Wainwright / Val	3 episodes
	The Saint	Marie-Therese	Episode: "The Better Mousetrap"
	Blackmail	Freida Straker	Episode: "Please Do Not Disturb"
1967	The Avengers	Miss Peadbody (voice, uncredited)	Episode: "Dead Man's Treasure"
1967	Doctor Who	Samantha Briggs	Serial: "The Faceless Ones"
1968	Armchair Theatre	Betty / Mary Murtagh	2 episodes
1969	The Old Campaigner	Winnie Haldane	Episode: "French Farce"
	Comedy Playhouse	Dawn / Marjorie	2 episodes
	The Liver Birds	Dawn	5 episodes
1972	Country Matters	Ruby	Episode: "Crippled Bloom"
1971–1973	Upstairs, Downstairs	Sarah Moffat	13 episodes
1974	No, Honestly	Clara Burrell-Danby	13 episodes
1975	BBC Play of the Month	Lady Teazle	Episode: "The School for Scandal"
1975–1976	Wodehouse Playhouse	various characters	13 episodes
1979	Thomas & Sarah	Sarah Moffat	13 episodes
1979	Play for Today	Eileen	Episode: "Long Distance Information"
1980	Tales of the Unexpected	Pat Lewis	Episode: "A Girl Can't Always Have Everything"
1984	Knockback	Sylvia	TV movie
1985	The Black Tower	Maggie Hewson	5 episodes
1988	Tales of the Unexpected	Eve Peregrine	Episode: "The Colonel's Lady"
1989–1992	Forever Green	Harriet Boult	18 episodes
1996	Flowers of the Forest	Aileen Matthews	TV movie
1998–1999	The Ambassador	Harriet Smith	13 Episodes
2000	Little Grey Rabbit		TV series
2002	Man and Boy	Betty Silver	TV movie
2003	Sparkling Cyanide	Dr. Catherine Kendall	TV movie
2005	Bleak House	Miss Flite	10 episodes
2006	Doctor Who	Queen Victoria	Episode: "Tooth and Claw"
2006	What We Did on Our Holiday	Lil Taylor	TV movie
2010	Agatha Christie's Marple	Thyrza Grey	Episode: "The Pale Horse"
2010	Merlin	Alice	Episode: "Love in the Time of Dragons"
2011–2012	Mount Pleasant	Sue	14 episodes
2015–2016	Dickensian	Mrs Gamp	20 episodes

· Theatre

1962

A Gazelle in Park Lane

Role(s)

Sabiha, an Arab maid-servant

Notes

Theatre Royal, Windsor

1965-1966

Role(s)

Passion Flower Hotel

Notes

Lady Janet Wigton

1968

The Importance of Being Earnest

Role(s)

Cecily Cardew

Notes

Theatre Royal, Haymarket

1969

The Night I Chased the Women with an Eel

Role(s)

Brenda Cooper

Notes

Comedy Theatre, London, Chester Gateway Theatre, and other locations

1970

The Happy Apple

Role(s)

Nancy Gray

Notes

Apollo Theatre, Theatre Royal, Brighton, and other locations

Come As You Are

Notes

New Theatre, London and Strand Theatre, London

1974

Judies

Role(s)

Judy

Notes

Comedy Theatre

1975

Engaged

Role(s)

Minnie Symperson

Notes

The Old Vic, London

1975–1976

Role(s)

Confusions

1976–1977

Role(s)

Lucy / Paula / Polly / Milly / Beryl

Notes

Apollo Theatre

1980–1981

Role(s)

Rattle of a Simple Man

Notes

Cyrenne

1983

Romantic Comedy

Role(s)

Phoebe Craddock

Notes

Apollo Theatre

1986–1987

Role(s)

Woman in Mind

Notes

Susan (replacement)

1988-89

Role(s)

Shirley Valentine

Notes

Shirley Valentine

1992

Shades

Role(s)

Pearl

Notes

Albery Theatre, Richmond Theatre, London, and other locations

2007–2008

Role(s)

Cinderella

Notes

Fairy Godmother

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1962	A Gazelle in Park Lane	Sabiha, an Arab maid-servant	Theatre Royal, Windsor
1965-1966	Passion Flower Hotel	Lady Janet Wigton	Prince of Wales Theatre
1968	The Importance of Being Earnest	Cecily Cardew	Theatre Royal, Haymarket
1969	The Night I Chased the Women with an Eel	Brenda Cooper	Comedy Theatre, London, Chester Gateway Theatre, and other locations
1970	The Happy Apple	Nancy Gray	Apollo Theatre, Theatre Royal, Brighton, and other locations
1970	Come As You Are		New Theatre, London and Strand Theatre, London
1974	Judies	Judy	Comedy Theatre
1975	Engaged	Minnie Symperson	The Old Vic, London
1975–1976	Confusions		Theatre Royal, Bath
1976–1977	Confusions	Lucy / Paula / Polly / Milly / Beryl	Apollo Theatre
1980–1981	Rattle of a Simple Man	Cyrenne	Savoy Theatre, Theatre Royal, Windsor, and other locations
1983	Romantic Comedy	Phoebe Craddock	Apollo Theatre
1986–1987	Woman in Mind	Susan (replacement)	Vaudeville Theatre and Richmond Theatre
1988-89	Shirley Valentine	Shirley Valentine	Vaudeville TheatreBooth Theatre
1992	Shades	Pearl	Albery Theatre, Richmond Theatre, London, and other locations
2007–2008	Cinderella	Fairy Godmother	The Old Vic, London

· Awards and nominations

1973

British Academy Television Awards

Role(s)

Best Actress

Notes

Upstairs, Downstairs / Country Matters / Crippled Bloom

1976

Laurence Olivier Awards

Role(s)

Actress of the Year in a New Play

Notes

Engaged

1987

CableACE Awards

Role(s)

Best Actress in a Theatrical or Dramatic Special

Notes

Knockback

1988

Laurence Olivier Awards

Role(s)

Actress of the Year in a New Play

Notes

Shirley Valentine

1989

Drama Desk Award

Role(s)

Outstanding Actress in a Play

Notes

Won

Drama League Award

Role(s)

Distinguished Performance Award

Notes

Won

Outer Critics Circle Awards

Role(s)

Outstanding Actress in a Play

Notes

Won

Theatre World Award

Role(s)

Best Actress

Notes

Won

Golden Apple Award

Role(s)

Female Discovery Of The Year

Notes

Won

Tony Awards

Role(s)

Best Actress in a Play

Notes

Won

1990

Academy Awards

Role(s)

Best Actress

Notes

Shirley Valentine

British Academy Film Awards

Role(s)

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Notes

Won

Evening Standard British Film Awards

Role(s)

Best Actress

Notes

Won

Golden Globe Awards

Role(s)

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Notes

Nominated

Year	Awards	Category	Nominated works	Results	Ref.
1973	British Academy Television Awards	Best Actress	Upstairs, Downstairs / Country Matters / Crippled Bloom	Nominated
1976	Laurence Olivier Awards	Actress of the Year in a New Play	Engaged	Nominated
1987	CableACE Awards	Best Actress in a Theatrical or Dramatic Special	Knockback	Nominated
1988	Laurence Olivier Awards	Actress of the Year in a New Play	Shirley Valentine	Won
1989	Drama Desk Award	Outstanding Actress in a Play		Won
	Drama League Award	Distinguished Performance Award		Won
	Outer Critics Circle Awards	Outstanding Actress in a Play		Won
	Theatre World Award	Best Actress		Won
	Golden Apple Award	Female Discovery Of The Year		Won
	Tony Awards	Best Actress in a Play		Won
1990	Academy Awards	Best Actress	Shirley Valentine	Nominated
	British Academy Film Awards	Best Actress in a Leading Role		Won
	Evening Standard British Film Awards	Best Actress		Won
	Golden Globe Awards	Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy		Nominated

References

The Telegraph
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2025/11/06/pauline-collins-shirley-valentine-greece-upstairs-downstair/
"Pauline Collins Biography (1940–)"
http://www.filmreference.com/film/78/Pauline-Collins.html
Pauline, Collins. (28 March 1999). "Pauline Collins – My secret for a good marriage? Give", Interviewed by Sharon Feinst
"Actress Pauline Collins, age 75, and husband John Alderman, married since 1969, planning something special for their 50th anniversary??"
https://hitberry.com/actress-pauline-collins-age-75-and-husband-john-alderman-married-since-1969-planning-something-special-for-their-50th-anniversary/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pauline-collins-dead-shirley-valentine-1236420341/
BBC Programmes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1FBJKSYpKwC7vmk84HSDFBb/the-fourth-dimension
"Upstairs, Downstairs – Lyrics"
https://web.archive.org/web/20110717052947/http://www.updown.org.uk/sounds/lyrics.htm
BBC
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04vsczw
Variety
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/pauline-collins-dead-shirley-valentine-1236571960/
Golden Globes
https://goldenglobes.com/person/pauline-collins/
Bates College
https://www.andrucki.catapult.bates.edu/shirley-valentine.html
BBC Drama
https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/people/pauline_collins_person_page.shtml
BBC Programmes
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074fly
Hello!
https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/200612071008056/extinct-programme/
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2007/dec/14/theatre.pantoseason2
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/aug/25/mount-pleasant-welcomes-viewers
"Pauline Collins receives OBE"
https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1627565.stm
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/dec/11/pauline-collins-quartet-interview
Letter to Louise
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/328983/letter-to-louise-by-pauline-collins/9780552167994
BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62e0n957y9o
Death-Notices.co.uk
https://death-notices.co.uk/notice/a04b5d70-4bd0-48fc-aabf-5b3206dcd7e8
Variety
https://variety.com/2009/film/reviews/from-time-to-time-1200476798/
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/mar/17/you-will-meet-a-tall-dark-stranger-review
The Times
https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/film-review-dough-53mfrlsqn
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/09/time-of-their-lives-review-pensioners-comedy-joan-collins-pauline-france
TVmaze
https://www.tvmaze.com/episodes/2280066/pardon-the-expression-2x20-thunderfinger-part-1
Bowler Hats and Kinky Boots: The Unofficial and Unauthorized Guide to The Avengers
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/nov/07/pauline-collins-obituary
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/dec/11/pauline-collins-quartet-interview
TV Guide
https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/pauline-collins/credits/3000111057/
Independent Talent
https://www.independenttalent.com/actors/pauline-collins/
ERA
https://era.org.uk/lit-resource/play-of-the-month-1-the-school-for-scandal/
Dorset Echo
https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/25603525.shirley-valentine-star-pauline-collins-came-weymouth/
The Times
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/pauline-collins-obituary-star-of-shirley-valentine-w38mljr7l
BBC Drama
https://www.bbc.co.uk/drama/people/pauline_collins_person_page.shtml
Radio Times
https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/pauline-collins-flaws-archive-1996-interview/
TV Guide
https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/little-grey-rabbit/1030424248/
Yahoo News UK
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/awe-russell-t-davies-loved-100000147.html
Malta Independent
https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2006-12-31/local-news/%E2%80%98What-We-did-on-our-holiday%E2%80%99-167089
ABC Television
https://www.abc.net.au/tv/guide/abc1/201103/programs/ZX0705A004D2011-03-13T203340.htm
Theatricalia
https://theatricalia.com/person/11eh/pauline-collins
Bafta
https://www.bafta.org/awards/television/actress-television
Olivier Awards
https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-1976/
Olivier Awards
https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-1988/
"Pauline Collins: Stage and screen doyenne"
https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1390846.stm
dramaleague.org
https://dramaleague.org/awards-history/
www.tonyawards.com
https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1989/category/any/show/any/
www.oscars.org
https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1990
Bafta
https://www.bafta.org/awards/film/leading-actress