Phyllis Logan

Last updated on the 18 May 2025 by Evandrus

Mini Biography

Born:  11 January 1956, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. 

Phyllis Logan is a renowned actress who carved her path on both the big and small screens. Her journey began in the historic countryside surrounding Paisley, where a spark for the performing arts likely ignited during her formative years.

Phyllis Logan’s passion for acting led her to pursue formal training at the prestigious Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Her dedication shone through, and she graduated in 1977 with the coveted James Bridie Gold Medal, a testament to her exceptional talent.

Following graduation, Logan gained valuable experience on the stage. The Dundee Repertory Theatre served as her training ground, where she learned the intricacies of live performance.

Logan’s transition to screen acting didn’t take long. Her television debut arrived, and she began captivating audiences with her talent. A breakout role came in the 1983 film “Another Time, Another Place.” Her portrayal of Janie garnered critical acclaim and a BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer.

However, it was television that brought her wider recognition. The role of Lady Jane Felsham in the popular detective series “Lovejoy” (1986-1993) became a defining one. Logan’s portrayal of the elegant and witty Lady Jane entertained viewers for seven seasons, establishing her as a household name in the UK.

The new millennium ushered in another iconic role for Logan. In 2010, she joined the cast of the critically acclaimed period drama “Downton Abbey.” Phyllis Logan’s portrayal of Mrs. Hughes, the formidable yet kind-hearted head housekeeper of Downton Abbey, struck a chord with viewers. Her consistent performance throughout the show’s six seasons was recognised with a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, an honour she shared with her fellow actors.

Beyond her celebrated career, Phyllis Logan’s personal life is enriched by love and family. She married fellow actor Kevin McNally in 2011 and together they share a son, who was born in 1996.

WINNER | Film: Most Promising Newcomer To Film for Another Time, Another Place (1984) | Scotland: Actress – TV for Guilt (2022)

Suggested viewing

Guilt (2019)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.4

Two brothers find themselves entangled in a devastating secret after accidentally striking a man with their car. In a moment of panic, they choose to conceal the truth, setting off a chain reaction of guilt and paranoia that slowly dismantles their lives. As suspicion mounts and the investigation closes in, the series delves into the complexities of morality, deception and the desperate measures people take to shield themselves and those they hold dear.

Top cast: Ellie Haddington, Moyo Akandé, Jamie Sives, Phyllis Logan, Greg McHugh, Mark Bonnar, Henry Pettigrew, Ruth Bradle, Emun Elliott, Sian Brooke.

Downton Abbey (2010)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.7

An aristocratic family and their downstairs staff tackle the societal upheavals of the early 20th century, from the sinking of the Titanic to the rise of modernism. Upstairs, the family grapples with securing their legacy, while downstairs, the servants find love, loss and their own changing roles in a shifting world.

Top cast: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Joanne Froggatt, Rob James-Collier.

Downton Abbey (2019)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.4

Excitement fills the grand estate as the esteemed Crawley family prepares to host the King and Queen. Upstairs, drama unfolds with a potential scandal, while downstairs, loyal staff grapple with a royal visit’s disruption to their usual routine. As tensions rise, both the family and their devoted servants face a momentous event that will leave their lives forever changed.

Top cast: Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Kevin Doyle, Joanne Froggatt, Matthew Goode.

Downton Abbey: A New Era (2022)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.4

The Crawleys face double duty: a surprise inheritance sends them to the South of France to untangle a family secret, while a silent film crew descends on Downton, bringing a touch of Hollywood glamour (and chaos) to the grand estate. Upstairs and downstairs contend with change, both in their personal lives and the evolving world around them.

Top cast: Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Jim Carter, Phyllis Logan, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Imelda Staunton, Penelope Wilton, Robert James-Collier, Lesley Nicole.

Girlfriends (2018)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 6.6

Three lifelong friends, all facing challenges that come with middle age, lean on each other for support. One deals with a sudden disappearance, another fights ageism at work and the last juggles caring for an aging parent with a troubled son. Through laughter and tears, their unwavering bond helps them traverse life’s uncertainties.

Top cast: Phyllis Logan, Miranda Richardson, Zoë Wanamaker, Philip Cumbus, Daisy Head, Adrian Rawlins, Valerie Lilley, Matthew Lewis, Anthony Head, Paula Wilcox, Wendy Craig.

Another Time, Another Place (1983)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 6.4

In World War II Scotland, a lonely farmer’s wife finds solace and forbidden love with an Italian prisoner of war. Their passionate connection blossoms amidst wartime restrictions, but their happiness is threatened by the realities of war and the cultural divide.

Top cast: Phyllis Logan, Giovanni Mauriello, Gianluca Favilla, Claudio Rosini, Paul Young, Gregor Fisher, Tom Watson, Jennifer Piercey, Denise Coffey.

More home front

Lovejoy (1986)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.8

A roguish antiques dealer with a keen eye for treasure uses his cunning and wit to solve mysteries alongside his wealthy patron, a dim assistant, and a perpetually intoxicated friend. They journey through the murky world of auctions and stately homes, righting wrongs and uncovering hidden gems.

Top cast: Ian McShane, Dudley Sutton, Chris Jury, Phyllis Logan, Malcolm Tierney, Caroline Langrishe, Diane Parish, Pavel Douglas, Maggie Ollerenshaw.

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)