Angela Daphne Anne Pleasence ( ; 17 September 1941 – 6 April 2026) was an English actress. She was known for her roles in Coronation Street and Doctor Who.

Trained in theatre, Pleasence's first major film role came in Hitler: The Last Ten Days (1973), followed by roles in horror films such as From Beyond the Grave and Symptoms (1974). She then worked extensively in television productions and British miniseries throughout the 1980s and 1990s. She had minor roles in the films The Search for John Gissing (2001), Gangs of New York (2002), and The Gigolos (2005).

Life and career Pleasence was born in Chapeltown, near Sheffield, then in the County of York, West Riding, to actors Miriam Walker (later Raymond) and Donald Pleasence. She studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating with an Acting (RADA Diploma) in 1965.

She married actor Michael Cadman in 1964. They had one son together and divorced in 1970.

She made her stage debut in 1964 as Titania in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. She appeared extensively in London theatre productions throughout the 1970s.

She was known for her performance as Catherine Howard in the 1970 BBC serial The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Her other television credits include Dixon of Dock Green, Les Misérables, The Barchester Chronicles (alongside her father), Mansfield Park, Silas Marner, Midsomer Murders, Whitechapel, Agatha Christie's Poirot and Agatha Christie's Marple.

In 1978, she voiced the role of Ophelia in a BBC radio play production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Pleasence is also noted for her roles in horror films of the 1970s, including From Beyond the Grave, Symptoms, and The Godsend. She made a guest appearance satirising her earlier performances, in the parody series Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible.

She also appeared as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the 1984 holiday television film A Christmas Carol, Sister Cecilia in Stealing Heaven (1988), a crowd member in Martin Scorsese's 2002 crime drama Gangs of New York, Elizabeth I in the 2007 Doctor Who episode "The Shakespeare Code", and Winnie in the BBC drama Happy Valley (2016).

Angela Pleasence died on 6 April 2026, at the age of 84.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1968 Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush Scruffy Girl1973 The Love Ban Mick's Secretary Hitler: The Last Ten Days Traudel1974 From Beyond the Grave Emily Underwood Segment 2: 'An Act of Kindness' Symptoms Helen Ramsey aka: The Blood Virgin 1980 The Godsend The Stranger 1988 Stealing Heaven Sister Cecilia 1991 The Favour, the Watch and the Very Big Fish Louis' Sister 1996 The Shaman ShamanShort film 1997 The Pig's Family Rosy 2001 The Search for John Gissing Johanna Frielduct 2002 Gangs of New York Woman Accomplice 2005 Waverley Waverley Short film 2006 The Gigolos Joy 2011 Your Highness Mother

Television Year Title Role Notes 1965 Armchair Mystery Theatre Ginny Episode: "The Madam" 1966 Seven Deadly Sins Eileen Episode: "The Erpingham Camp"1967 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Maid Episode: "The Chemistry of Love" Seven Deadly Virtues Carol Episode: "The Whole Truth" 1968 Coronation Street Monica Sutton Recurring role; 4 episodes1969 The Possessed Marie Shatov Miniseries; 2 episodes The Expert Tina Episode: "One Life - More or Less" Plays of Today Jackson Episode: "The Ladies: Joan"The Wednesday Play Liz Episode: "Birthday" Beatrice Grayson Episode: "The Last Train through Harecastle Tunnel" Destiny of a Spy Peace Girl Television film1970 The Six Wives of Henry VIII Catherine Howard Miniseries; 2 episodes Paul Temple Betty Martin Episode: "Letters from Robert"1974 Play of the Month Julia Episode: "The Wood Demon" Aquarius Jean Episode: "Oh Lovely Wall"1975 Play for Today Nell Hamer Episode: "Breath" Churchill's People Jorild Episode: "The Conquerors" A Legacy Clara von Felden/von Bernin Miniseries; 4 episodes 1976 Dixon of Dock Green Alice Benfield Episode: "Alice" 1978 Les Misérables Fantine Television film 1979 Murder at the Wedding Pam Appleyard Miniseries; 3 episodes 1981 The Walls of Jericho Elsie Inglis Miniseries; 2 episodes1982 The Hothouse Miss Cutts Television film The Barchester Chronicles Mrs. Grantly Miniseries; 7 episodes 1983 Mansfield Park Lady Bertram Miniseries; 6 episodes 1984 A Christmas Carol Ghost of Christmas PastTelevision film 1985 Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe Molly Farren1986 Girls on Top R.S.C Actress #2 Episode: "Mr. Yummy Brownie" Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna Clara (madwoman) Miniseries; 2 episodes 1989 Somewhere to Run Anita Fitzpatrick Television film 1993 Casualty Sonia Episode: "Everybody Needs Somebody" 1995 The Bill Mrs. Sadler Episode: "In the Midnight Hour" 1996 September Lottie Carstairs Television film 1997 Crime Traveller Mrs. Beavis Episode: "The Broken Crystal"1998 Midsomer Murders Doris Winstanley Episode: "Death of a Hollow Man" Cider with Rosie Crabby Television film 2001 Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible Lizzy Episode: "Scream Satan Scream!" 2003 The Bill Martha Episode: "Cross Transfer" 2004 Agatha Christie's Marple Miss Hartnell Episode: "The Murder at the Vicarage" 2006 Doctors Amy Edgeworth Episode: "A Slip of the Mind" 2007 Doctor Who Queen Elizabeth I Episode: "The Shakespeare Code" 2008 Agatha Christie's Poirot Nanny Episode: "Appointment with Death" 2009 Casualty Catherine Episode: "All You Need Is Love" 2011 The Sarah Jane Adventures Mystic Mags Episode: "The Curse of Clyde Langer: Part Two" 2013 Whitechapel Louise Iver Series 4 regular; 6 episodes 2016 Happy Valley Winnie Recurring role; 2 episodes

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