Linda Magistris OBE (née Slater; born 1963) is a British former actress, television presenter, author and charity founder. She first came to prominence as a child actress in the BBC school drama Grange Hill, in which she played Susi McMahon between 1979 and 1981, and later became known for her work in bereavement support.

Early life and education Magistris was born in Willesden, Middlesex, in 1963.General Register Office, England & Wales Birth Index, Willesden district, 1963. She is the daughter of Patrick M. Slater and Shirley Slater (née Taylor).Harrow Observer, "Spine-chiller leaves Linda quite warm", 10 March 1978. She was raised in Kingsbury, north-west London, where she lived with her parents and her older sister Julie at Springfield Mount in The Hyde area.Harrow Observer, "‘Snow Queen’ role was Linda’s first", 7 January 1977. She attended Oliver Goldsmith Primary School and showed an early interest in performance.

She began dancing at the age of three and later trained at the Italia Conti Stage School in Clapham, travelling daily from Kingsbury. Her first major role came at the age of thirteen, when she was cast as Gerda in the BBC television adaptation of "The Snow Queen" (1976), following an audition at BBC Television Centre in Shepherd's Bush.

Acting career Following her debut in The Snow Queen, Magistris appeared in the ITV anthology series Armchair Thriller in the episode "Quiet As a Nun" (1978).

She gained wider recognition with her role as Susi McMahon in Grange Hill, appearing between 1979 and 1981 as part of the programme's early ensemble during its formative years.Cast listings and episode records for Grange Hill. The series was filmed at Kingsbury High School, the local secondary school in the area where she had grown up.1000 Things to Do in London, Time Out Guides, 2007.

She later reprised the role in the spin-off Tucker's Luck (1983) and also appeared in the television film Good at Art (1983).Television credits for Linda Slater, 1983.

During the 1980s, she also worked in theatre, including a production of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne in 1986.Eastbourne Herald, "Hometown Alice at the Park", 8 March 1986.

Although she continued to work in television and theatre, she later recalled that she was increasingly offered less substantial roles, and her acting career came to an end in 1991 following her marriage.Daily Express, "Former Grange Hill stars: where are they now?", 29 December 1997.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1976 The Snow Queen Gerda Television film 1978 Armchair Thriller Dodo Episode: "Quiet As a Nun" 1979–1981 Grange Hill Susi McMahon 31 episodes 1983 Tucker's Luck Susi McMahon 2 episodes 1983 Good at Art Kim Television film

Later career After leaving acting, Magistris established a wedding consultancy business and worked as a wedding consultant during the 1990s.The Good Grief Trust, "Meet the Trustees".

She later returned to television as a presenter on the shopping channel QVC, working as a lifestyle and home-style presenter.TES Magazine, "Grange Hill changed teacher-pupil relationships", interview article.

In 2007, she published Teach Yourself Your Wedding, a guide to wedding planning.Linda Magistris, Teach Yourself Your Wedding, Hodder & Stoughton, 2007.

Charity work and honours Following the death of her partner, the television director Graham Theakston, Magistris founded The Good Grief Trust, a charity supporting bereaved people by connecting them with appropriate services.Bournemouth Echo, "Poole woman starts charity after losing partner".

The organisation also acts as secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Bereavement Support.UK Parliament, Register of All-Party Parliamentary Groups, 7 September 2022.

For her services to bereaved people, she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and received the honour from William, Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle in September 2024.Bournemouth Echo, "Poole woman given OBE by Prince of Wales", 2025.

Personal life Magistris married Italian restaurateur Cesare Magistris in 1991.General Register Office, England & Wales Marriage Index, Kensington and Chelsea district, September 1991. They have two children.

Her later partner, Graham Theakston, died in 2014; his death prompted her to establish The Good Grief Trust.

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