Francesca Annis

Last updated on the 27 May 2025 by Evandrus

Mini Biography

Born: 14 May 1945, Kensington, London, England.

Francesca Annis, with a career spanning over six decades, has become a notable figure in both film and television. Her early life was marked by a multicultural upbringing, with her English father, Lester William Anthony Annis and Brazilian-French mother, Mariquita (Mara) Purcell, both of whom had acting and singing backgrounds. This artistic environment undoubtedly influenced her future career choices.

Francesca Annis’s family moved to Brazil when she was one year old and they spent six years there before returning to England. Her experiences in Brazil left an indelible mark on her, as she recollected her parents running a nightclub on Copacabana beach and her mother performing as a blues singer. Back in England, Annis was educated at a convent school and showed an early talent for dance. She trained as a ballet dancer, with a focus on the Russian style at the Corona Stage Academy.

Her acting career began in her teens, with her film debut in “The Cat Gang” (1959). Annis’s breakthrough came when she was cast as Elizabeth Taylor’s handmaiden in “Cleopatra” (1963) at the age of 16. This role was a significant stepping stone, leading to her starring in the West End stage musical “Passion Flower Hotel” in 1965. Her portrayal of Lady Macbeth in Roman Polanski’s film version of “Macbeth” (1971) was particularly noteworthy, especially her performance of the sleepwalking soliloquy.

Francesca Annis’s television career is equally impressive, with roles in series like “Reckless” (1998), “Wives and Daughters” (1999), “Deceit” (2000), and “Cranford” (2007). She has been a six-time BAFTA TV Award nominee and won the Best Actress award in 1979 for the ITV serial “Lillie.” Her filmography includes notable works such as “Krull” (1983), “Dune” (1984), “The Debt Collector” (1999), and “The Libertine” (2004).

Beyond her professional life, Annis had a long-term relationship with photographer Patrick Wiseman, with whom she has three children. She was also in a relationship with actor Ralph Fiennes from 1995 to 2006.

WINNER | Television: Actress for Lillie (1979)

Suggested viewing

Lillie (1978)

Bftv 9. 0/ IMDb 8.2

“Lillie” is a British television series based on the life of Lillie Langtry, a prominent British actress and socialite of the Victorian era. The show follows her journey from a struggling actress to a celebrated figure in society, exploring her relationships, scandals and the challenges she faces in the pursuit of her dreams.

Top cast: Francesca Annis, Anton Rodgers, Denis Lill, Peter Egan, Jennie Linden, Beatrix Lehmann, John Castle, Barbara Ferris.

Madame Bovary (1975)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7

“Madame Bovary” is based on the novel by Gustave Flaubert published in 1856. The story follows Emma Bovary, a young woman married to a dull country doctor. Seeking passion and excitement, she engages in extramarital affairs, indulges in lavish spending and ultimately faces tragic consequences as she becomes consumed by her pursuit of an idealised romantic life.

Top cast: Francesca Annis, Tom Conti, Ray Smith, Brian Stirner, David Waller, Gabrielle Lloyd, Denis LillJohn Cater.

Great Expectations (1967)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.8

Great Expectations is based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens. It follows the life of an orphan named Pip, who dreams of becoming a gentleman. Through unexpected encounters, including a mysterious benefactor and a convict, Pip’s life takes unexpected turns, revealing the complex nature of ambition, love and social class in Victorian England.

Top cast: Gary Bond, Francesca Annis, Richard O’Sullivan, Peter Vaughan, Neil Mccarthy, Maxine Audley, Hannah Gordon, Bernard Hepton.

Wives and Daughters (1999)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 8.1

“Wives and Daughters” is a British television drama series based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. Set in the fictional town of Hollingford, it follows the life of Molly Gibson, a young woman navigating her relationships and the complexities of society in the 1830s. The series explores themes of love, family and social class.

Top cast: Justine Waddell, Francesca Annis, Iain Glen, Keeley Hawes, Michael Gambon, Tom Hollander, Barbara Flynn, Anthony Howell, Bill Paterson.

Partners in Crime (1983)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4

“Partners in Crime” is a British television series based on Agatha Christie’s detective novels. The show follows the adventures of Tommy and Tuppence Beresford, a married couple who become amateur sleuths. Set in the 1950s, they embark on thrilling investigations, encountering espionage, murder and deception, all while maintaining their witty banter and charm.

Top cast: Francesca Annis, James Warwick, Reece Dinsdale, Arthur Cox, Ralph Michael, Joan Hickson, John Moffatt, Andrew Burt.

Home Fires (2015)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.2

Home Fires is a drama set during World War II that follows a group of women in a rural English community. As their husbands fight overseas, these women band together to manage the home front. They take on unfamiliar factory jobs to support the war effort, facing not only the challenges of these new roles but also the anxieties of wartime. Through their struggles and resilience, the drama explores the power of female friendship and the ways these women find strength in each other during a tumultuous time.

Top cast: Samantha Bond, Ruth Gemmell, Francesca Annis, Claire Rushbrook, Fenella Woolgar, Clare Calbraith, Daisy Badger, Leanne Best, Leila Mimmack, Claire Price, Ed Stoppard, Bryn Brindsley, Rachel Hurd-Wood, Adam Collingborne.

More from the “home front”

Full filmography @ Wikipedia