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Last updated on the 27 May 2025 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 24 September 1950, London, England.
Harriet Walter, a celebrated British actress, has built an illustrious career showcasing her talent across the stage, film and television. She hails from a family with strong ties to the arts. Her father, Christopher Walter, was a distinguished actor, while her mother, Sarah Lee, worked as a casting director. Growing up in such an environment, Walter developed a deep passion for acting from a young age and was inspired by her parents’ work in the industry.
Harriet Walter’s early life was shaped by the love of storytelling and performance that surrounded her at home. She attended the Cranborne Chase School in Dorset where she participated in school productions, refining her acting abilities along the way. Following her passion for the arts, Walter went on to train at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), one of the leading drama schools in the UK. It was during her time at LAMDA that she began to establish herself as a promising talent in the world of acting.
After completing her training, Walter embarked on a successful career in theatre, making her professional debut in 1974 at the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre. Her early stage performances received critical acclaim and she quickly gained recognition for her talent as an actress.
In addition to her accomplishments on the stage, Walter has also made a name for herself in the world of film and television. She has appeared in a variety of acclaimed productions, including the film “Sense and Sensibility” (1995), where she portrayed Fanny Dashwood, and the TV series “Downton Abbey” (2013), in which she played Lady Shackleton.
Suggested viewing
George Eliot: A Scandalous Life (2002)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.6
“George Eliot: A Scandalous Life” delves into the fascinating biography of one of England’s most celebrated novelists, unravelling the complexities of her personal life and professional achievements. Revealing the scandal that surrounded her unconventional choices and relationships, this drama documentary explores George Eliot’s literary success amidst societal norms and prejudices of the Victorian era.
Through insightful analysis and historical context, the film sheds light on the ways in which her experiences and influences shaped her groundbreaking works and legacy as a pioneering female author in a male-dominated industry, leaving a lasting impact on literature and feminist discourse.
Top cast: Harriet Walter, Maureen Lipman, John Sessions, James Wilby, David Walliams, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, David Bamber, Janine Duvitski.
Belgravia (2020)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.9
Set in 19th century London, Belgravia follows the lives of two families: the aristocratic Bellasis and the upwardly mobile Trenchards. A secret from their past intertwines their fates, leading to a tale of love, betrayal and social intrigue amidst the lavish backdrop of high society.
Top cast: Philip Glenister, Alice Eve, Ella Purnell, Harriet Walter, Adam James, Richard Goulding, Tara Fitzgerald, James Fleet, Tamsin Greig, Tom Wilkinson.
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 7.7
Sense and Sensibility tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who face financial hardship after their father’s death. As they navigate love, heartbreak and societies expectations in 19th century England, they discover the balance between reason and emotion in pursuit of happiness.
Top cast: Greg Wise, Imogen Stubbs, Alan Rickman, Harriet Walter, Gemma Jones, Hugh Grant, Kate Winslet, Elizabeth Spriggs, Emma Thompson.
Killing Eve (2018)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.1
Killing Eve revolves around the cat-and-mouse chase between MI6 agent Eve Polastri and skilled assassin Villanelle. As their paths intertwine, a dangerous obsession develops between them, blurring the lines between hunter and prey in a thrilling game of wits filled with twisted humour and unexpected twists.
Top cast: Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Sean Delaney, Fiona Shaw, Owen McDonnell, Kim Bodnia, David Haig, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Harriet Walter (S3).
The Spanish Princess (2019)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.0
In the turbulent 16th century, Princess Catherine of Aragon arrives in England from Spain to marry Prince Arthur. After Arthur’s untimely death, Catherine finds herself torn between her duty to secure an alliance and her love for Arthur’s younger brother, the future King Henry VIII.
Top cast: Charlotte Hope, Ruairi O’Connor, Georgie Henley, Aaron Cobham, Harriet Walter, Elliot Cowan, Stephanie Levi-John, Laura Carmichael, Alexandra Moen.
Downton Abbey (2010)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.7
In a grand English estate during the early 20th century, the lives of aristocrats and their servants intertwine. As social changes sweep through society, traditions clash with modernity, revealing secrets, scandals and love amidst the elegant halls of Downton Abbey.
Top cast: Maggie Smith, Brendan Coyle, Michelle Dockery, Phyllis Logan, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Elizabeth McGovern, Joanne Froggatt, Harriet Walter (S4-6).
Atonement (2007)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.8
In a pre-World War II England, young Briony Tallis witnesses a series of events that lead her to falsely accuse Robbie Turner, the son of the family’s housekeeper. This accusation sets off a chain of devastating consequences, testing love and challenging the boundaries of truth and forgiveness.
Top cast: Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Juno Temple, Vanessa Redgrave, Brenda Blethyn, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch, Saoirse Ronan, Harriet Walter.
