Judith Margaret Loe (6 March 1947 – 15 July 2025), known as Judy Loe, was an English actress known for her work in television.
Early life Loe was born in Urmston, Lancashire, on 6 March 1947, the only child of Norman Scarborough Loe, who worked in the equipment business, and Nancy Loe (née Jones), who was a department store worker and model. She attended Urmston Grammar School and the University of Birmingham, from where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in English and drama.
Television Loe was in the original British cast of the rock musical Hair. In 1970 she made her debut on British television in the ITV Thames Television programme Ace of Wands, broadcast 1970–72, as Lillian "Lulli" Palmer. Loe then made guest appearances in series such as Z-Cars, Dixon of Dock Green, Man at the Top, Armchair Theatre and ITV Playhouse.
In 1973, Loe was cast as Alice Lee in the five-episode television series Woodstock. In 1975 she appeared in the role of Princess May in the ATV drama series Edward the Seventh. She made guest appearances in comedies such as Ripping Yarns, Robin's Nest, The Upchat Line and Miss Jones and Son. In 1978 she appeared in an episode of the television drama Crown Court before landing the role of Dr Helen Sanders in the final two series of the television drama General Hospital playing the role from 1978 until 1979.
In 1980, Loe appeared in one episode each of Heartland and The Gentle Touch before appearing in two episodes of Sunday Night Thriller and three episodes of When the Boat Comes In (1981). She starred alongside Donald Churchill in the ITV sitcom Goodnight and God Bless and made a brief appearance as a nurse in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983). In 1984, Loe starred as the abandoned housewife Allison in the six-part BBC1 serial Missing From Home by Roger Marshall and directed by Douglas Camfield. She made guest appearances in drama programmes up to 1985 before landing the role of Diane in the television programme Yesterday's Dreams in 1987. In 1988, Loe gained the role of Pamela in the Yorkshire Television sitcom Singles with Roger Rees; this was the first sitcom Loe starred in and which lasted three series until 1991. In 1990, she took a regular role in The Chief, playing Dr. Elizabeth Stafford until 1993.
In 1997, Loe played Adele Cecil in "Death Is Now My Neighbour", an episode of Inspector Morse, reprising her role the following year in "The Wench is Dead". In 1998, she starred as Commander Kathryn MacTiernan in Space Island One.
In the early 2000s, Loe played Jan Goddard in Casualty and its spinoff Holby City after previously appearing as different guest characters in one episode of each series. In 2009 she appeared in the medical drama Doctors.
Personal life and death Loe was married to actor Richard Beckinsale from 1977 until his death in 1979. She was later married to television director Roy Battersby until his death in 2024. She was the mother of film actress Kate Beckinsale, stepmother of Kate's half-sister and television actress Samantha Beckinsale.
Loe died from cancer on 15 July 2025, at the age of 78.
Filmography
Year Title Role1970Hair1970–1971Ace of WandsLulli Palmer 1972 Man of Straw Katchen Zillich1972Z Cars – "Tessa in the Woodpile"Tessa Ford1972Man at the Top – "All Very Hush, Hush"Sheri Lomax1972Armchair Theatre – "The Stumbling Block"Jenny1972, 1980Playhouse – "A Splinter of Ice" and "Visitors for Anderson"Clemence (one episode) Jen (one episode)1973WoodstockAlice Lee1975Dixon of Dock Green – "Conspiracy"Sally Bell1975 Edward the Seventh Princess May1975–1976CouplesYoung Woman (four episodes) Mrs. Hewitt (three episodes)1977Robin's Nest – "Piggy in the Middle"Sarah1977 Ripping Yarns – "The Curse of the Claw" Chief Petty Officer Russell1977The Upchat Line – "One Good Turn"Wendy Johnson1978Miss Jones and Son – "Will You Be My Wife?"Jill1978Crown Court – "The Change"Marianne Miller1978–1979 General Hospital – "Instinct" and "Long Weekend" Dr. Helen Sanders1979–1980Heartland – "The Letter of the Law" and "Working Arrangements"Susan Purser1980–1981The Gentle Touch – "Menaces" and "Protection"June Stafford1981Sunday Night Thriller – "The Business of Murder"Dee1981 When the Boat Comes In "Action!"
"Comrades in Arms"
"Roll of Honour"Tania Corley1982Let There Be Love – "Getting to Know You"Alison1982Play for Today – "Life After Death"Hilary1983The Home Front – "The Poodle Strikes Back"Shirley1983The Meaning of LifeNurse #1 1983 Goodnight and God Bless "Treachery Begins at Home"
"Little Green-Eyed Monster"
"Did You Hear the One About...?"
"The Grand Illusion"
"Ronnie's Wonderful Day"
"You Won't Feel a Thing" Celia Kemp (six episodes)1983SinglesBriony 1984 Missing From Home Allison Reynolds1984Fox Mystery Theater – "In Possession"Betty Mervyn1985Travelling Man – "The Quiet Chapter"Diana Arkell1987 Yesterday's Dreams Diane Daniels1988–1991 Singles Pamela1990Boon – "The Belles of St. Godwalds"Deborah1990–1993The ChiefDr. Elizabeth Stafford1992Between the Lines – "Lies and Damned Lies"Radio Interviewer (voice)1994Peak Practice – "Power Games"Sheila Massey1995 Revelations Jessica Rattigan1995–2002CasualtyRoz McGregor (one episode) Jan Goddard (22 episodes)1997The MothKate Thorman1997, 1998 Inspector Morse – "Death Is Now My Neighbour" and "The Wench Is Dead" Adele Cecil1998 Space Island One Commander Kathryn McTiernan1999Doomwatch: Winter AngelAngel (voice)2001–2003Holby CityGeraldine Thompson (one episode) Jan Goddard (nine episodes)2003Silent Witness – "Fatal Error"Nina Taylor, QC2004The Bill – "Last Orders"Adela Pearce2008Trial & Retribution – "The Box"Eileen Banks2009Doctors – "But for the Grace of God"Paula Stott2015Absolutely AnythingCanteen Lady2016Walliams & Friend – "Jack Whitehall"Mrs. Hudson2024Fool Me Once – "Episode Six"Glamorous Woman
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