Patricia Ann Kennedy (25 June 1942 – 28 May 2022), better known by her stage name Patricia Brake, was an English actress. Her credits include Lorna Doone (1963), The Ugliest Girl in Town (1968-1969), My Lover, My Son (1970), The Optimists of Nine Elms (1973), Emmerdale (1975), Nicholas Nickleby (1977), A Sharp Intake of Breath (1977), EastEnders (2004), and Coronation Street (2005-2006). She was most notable for her role as Ingrid Fletcher, eldest daughter of Norman Stanley Fletcher, in the BBC sitcom Porridge (1974-1977), and its sequel Going Straight (1978), and for starring as Gwen Lockhead in 128 episodes of Eldorado (1992-1993).
Early life Brake was born in Bath on 25 June 1942, the daughter of Victor Brake, a butcher, and Doreen Brake (née Wilkey). She was educated at the City of Bath Girls' School, and beginning at age 16, she trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, before joining the Salisbury Playhouse for two years, from 1960 to 1961. She moved then to Harrogate for a year, where she was a member of the White Rose Players.
Career She joined the Royal Shakespeare Company where (among other roles) she played Hermia in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Peter Hall, which also featured Judi Dench, Diana Rigg, Ian Richardson and Ian Holm. This was followed by a period in the West End.
She began appearing on television in such series as Lorna Doone (1963), The Ugliest Girl in Town (1968-1969), Nicholas Nickleby (1977), and A Sharp Intake of Breath (1977) with David Jason, and also had film roles in My Lover, My Son (1970), The Optimists of Nine Elms (1973).
Brake played Ingrid Fletcher, the daughter of Norman Stanley Fletcher, in the BBC sitcom Porridge (1974-1977), and its sequel Going Straight (1978). In 2015, she guest-starred in the BBC ongoing drama Casualty and in Midsomer Murders for ITV.
Alongside her extensive body of work in West End theatres, she also appeared in UK soaps Emmerdale (1975), EastEnders (2004), Coronation Street (2005-2006), and starred in 128 episodes of Eldorado (1992-1993).
Personal life Brake married actor Robert McBain in 1966. She adopted his son from a previous marriage and after they had two further children, they divorced in 1978. She married Michael Kennedy in 1997, gaining two stepchildren; he died in 2011. Brake died from cancer on 28 May 2022, aged 79.
Acting roles Year Title Role2020 Manhunt Edith ClovesTruth Seekers – The Haunting of Connelly's NookMiss Connelly2019 Defending the Guilty – #1.3 Annie Scott2018 Casualty – #32.40 Margaret McDale2015 Casualty – The Department of Secrets Lola Brightwell2014 Midsomer Murders – Let Us Prey Stella Spencer2012 Doctors Patti Sylvester2010 Love/Loss Millie2008 Holby City – Stolen Heather Clegg2005–2006 Coronation Street Viv Baldwin2004 EastEnders Deirdre Foster2003 Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher Ingrid Godber2001 McCready and Daughter – The Dating Game Barbara Graham2000 Midsomer Murders – Beyond the Grave Anne Quarritch1998 Looking After Jo Jo Doro1995 The Upper Hand – 2 episodes Peggy Thatcher1992–1993 Eldorado - 128 episodes Gwen Lockhead1991 Stay Lucky – Shingle Beach Tanya 2point4 Children – Saturday Night and Sunday Morning Tina1990 The Bill – Decisions Irene Campion – Dancers in Mourning: Part 1 Chole Pye1988 Singles Di1985–1986 Troubles and Strife Cherry1985 Mann's Best Friends Doll Delights1982 Only When I Laugh Hilary1980 Keep It in the Family Ann1978–1979 The Glums Eth1978 Going Straight Ingrid Fletcher 1977 Nicholas Nickleby Madeline Bray1976 Forget-Me-Not Pat Powell The Picnic The Maid1975 Emmerdale Farm Sarah Foster1974–1977 Porridge Ingrid Fletcher1974–1975 Second Time Around Vicki1973 The Optimists of Nine Elms Dogs Home Secretary1970 My Lover, My Son Julie1968–1969 The Ugliest Girl in Town Julie Renfield1967 Inheritance Susie Morcer1966 This Man Craig Joyce Marino1965 Love Story Yvonne1963 Lorna Doone Gwenny Carfax No Hiding Place Cathy Kennedy1961 Home Tonight Dot Sutton1960 Emergency Ward 10 Nell Ritchie
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