Sarah Crowden (born 8 May 1955) is a Scottish actress. She is best known for playing the role of Lady Manville in the British television series Downton Abbey, as well as Miss Thimble in the detective series Sister Boniface Mysteries.
Early life and education Crowden was born on 8 May 1955 in Edinburgh, the daughter of actor Graham Crowden (1922–2010) and actress Phyllida Hewat. She attended The Open University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree as well as a diploma in Literature. In 2010, she was awarded a Foundation Certificate in Bricklaying.
Career Crowden started her acting career in 1974 when she joined The Actors' Company as a Student Assistant Stage Manager. One of her first notable roles was as Helen in the movie adaption of Agatha Christie's The Seven Dials Mystery (1981). She has played supporting roles in numerous television series and movies such as A Dance to the Music of Time, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Downtown Abbey and The Sister Boniface Mysteries. She received favourable reviews for her portrayal of Dame Hilda in the 2010 production of If So, Then Yes by N. F. Simpson with critic Michael Billington calling her performance as "a Thatcherite supervisor" shining and Dominic Maxwell of The Times praising her ability to "work wonders in restricted circumstances".
In 2017, Crowden started performing stand-up comedy on the London circuit as her self-created character Dame Theresa Thomson's-Gazelle.
Apart from her acting career, Crowden is also a professional writer. She has written pieces for The Lady, TLS, Geographical Review and Literary Review, amongst others, and regularly contributes to Slightly Foxed.
Filmography +YearTitleRoleNotes1981Agatha Christie's Seven Dials MysteryHelenmovie1983The Fourth ArmA.T.S. Sgt. Brookes1 episode1983Pig in the MiddleTrish1 episode1984CocklesMiss Ida Findlesham1 episode1984Swallows and Amazons Forever: Coot ClubLivy (Hullabaloo)movie1985Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampireuncreditedmovie1986HaremCharlottemovie1986David CopperfieldJane Murdstone3 episode1986The Oldest Goose in the BusinessMiss Debenhammovie1987Screen TwoCub Mistressmovie1987A Dorothy L. Sayers MysteryHotel Receptionist1 episode1987Father Matthew's DaughterMs. Wright1 episode1988The StorytellerQueen1 episode1988The RainbowCatherine Phillips1 episodes1989Mystery!: CampionSadie1 episode1989Great Expectations (1989 TV series)Miss Skiffkins1 episode1989Erik the VikingGrimhild Housewifemovie1991PoirotReceptionist1 episode1991LovejoyRosemary Blake1 episode1992OrlandoQueen Marymovie1992ScreenPlaySarah1 episode1994SmokescreenMiss Chittock1 episode1995Julia Jekyll and Harriet HydeMiss Print1 episode1996Rab C. NesbittPhoebe1 episode1996The DetectivesHead Teacher1 episode1996The Wind in the WillowsSamanthamovie1997A Dance to the Music of TimeMiss Orchard1 episodes1997The Man Who Knew Too LittleSylviamovie1998Our Mutual FriendFirst Guest4 episodes1998Vanity FairLady Blanche3 episodes1999ChuckleVisionMrs. Fiona Fortescue-Smythe1 episode2000Brotherly LoveMorag Ranloch1 episode2001Love in a Cold ClimateThird Twitterer3 episodes2002Tipping the VelvetWoman with Pipe2 episodes2003My HeroMrs Clark1 episode2004He knew He Was RightMrs. MacHugh2 episodes2004Perfect StrangersAngry Opera Lovermovie2006The Afternoon PlayLady-in-Waiting1 episode2006LongfordLady Treemovie2006Miss PotterLady Clilffordmovie2007The Sarah Jane AdventuresMrs Gribbins2 episodes2007Joe's PalaceMiddle-aged womanmovie2008The Oxford MurdersShop Assistantmovie2008Brideshead RevisitedLady Guestmovie2008AffinityAdamovie2009The Green Green GrassAntiques Expert1 episode2010Upstairs DownstairsInstructress1 episode2012QuartetFelicity Liddlemovie2013EndeavourMiss Thornhill1 episode2013Quartet: Deleted ScenesFelicity Liddleuncredited2013DoctorsMrs. Hilary Warton1 episode2012–2014Downton AbbeyLady Manville2 episodes2014The Riot ClubElderly Womanmovie2015CockroachesThe Old Crone3 episodes2015Wolf HallLady Exeter2 episodes2015Jupiter AscendingBureaucratmovie2015New TricksFlora Fox1 episode2015Doc MartinMrs. Kelleher1 episode2015Mr. HolmesMrs. Hudsonmovie2015Queen of the DesertLady Ascotmovie, uncredited2016The Last DragonslayerPritchett Lane House Ownermovie2018The Little StrangerMiss Dabneymovie2018PeterlooLady at Racesmovie2019The DurrellsMelanie Countess De Torro2 episodes2019GrantchesterMrs. Bennett4 episodes2021CruellaBeehive Ladymovie2022–presentSister Boniface MysteriesMiss Thimble12 episodes2023All the Light We Cannot SeeJacqueline / Madam Blanchard2 episodes
Stage +YearTitleRoleVenue200220,000 Leagues under the SeaLady Snide-WorthingtonStratford East Theatre2005Little WomenAunt MarchDuchess Theatre (West End)2006A Resounding TinkleNoraRoyal Court2010If So, Then YesDame HildaJermyn Street Theatre2011Flare PathMrs OakesPlayful Productions / Theatre Royal Haymarket2015The TrialMrs BarrowThe Young Vic2017Bang BangThe CountessMercury Theatre, Colchester2018Hilda & VirginiaVirginia Woolf and Hilda of WhitbyJermyn Street Theatre2018The Chalk GardenThe Third Lady ApplicantChichester Festival Theatre2019Handbagged'T'Salibsury Playhouse, York Royal & Oldham Coliseum
References
External links
Sarah Crowden at Spotlight Official Homepeage