This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: "Charmian May" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)
Charmian May
Photo: 1981 West End programme
Born
Charmian Rosemary May

(1937-06-16)16 June 1937
Purbrook, Hampshire, England
Died24 October 2002(2002-10-24) (aged 65)
Purbrook, Hampshire, England
OccupationActress
Years active1962–2002

Charmian Rosemary May (16 June 1937 – 24 October 2002) was an English character actress best known for her television and film roles. She appeared in the sitcoms The Good Life, The Upper Hand and Keeping Up Appearances, and the film Bridget Jones's Diary.[1][2] She appeared as Miss Pershore in episodes 6 and 7 of The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976).[2]

She also appeared in The Worst Witch as Miss Pentangle, in Weirdsister College as Prof. Alicia Thunderblast, and she was Miss Milton in the Yorkshire Television series, You're Only Young Twice.[3][4][5]

Amongst her stage work, May was in the original production of 84, Charing Cross Road at Salisbury Playhouse, and its West End transfer, in 1981.[6] She also toured in the 1970s in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, playing Lady Bracknell.

Death

She died from cancer on 24 October 2002, aged 65.[2] A service of thanksgiving for the life of the actress was held at St Paul's, Covent Garden on 23 May 2003.

Selected filmography

Among her many roles in a career of forty years were:

Year Title Role Notes
1976 The Good Life Mrs Weaver 2 episodes
1977 Miss Jones and Son Miss Chalcott (Social Services Health Visitor) Episode: "For What We Are Not About to Receive..."
1977–1981 You're Only Young Twice Miss Milton 31 episodes
1982 Britannia Hospital Miss Diamond
1987 My Family and Other Animals Melanie, Countess de Torro 1 episode
1988 The Dawning Celia Brabazon
1990 Paper Mask Radiographer
1990 The Fool
1990–1992 Keeping Up Appearances Councillor Mrs Nugent 3 episodes
1991 A Demon in My View [fr] Aunt Gracie
1991 Agatha Christie's Poirot Lady Runcorn Episode: "The Double Clue"
1992 The Upper Hand Dr Barratt Episode: "The Girl Next Door"
2000 Highlander: Endgame Lady
2001 Bridget Jones's Diary Mrs Darcy

References

  1. ^ "Charmian May | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.
  2. ^ a b c "Charmian May". BFI. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018.
  3. ^ "The Witchy Hour (2000)". BFI. Archived from the original on 27 November 2021.
  4. ^ "The Seventh Sense (2001)". BFI. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018.
  5. ^ "You're Only Young Twice – Nostalgia Central". nostalgiacentral.com. 28 April 2013.
  6. ^ "Production of 84 Charing Cross Road | Theatricalia". theatricalia.com.

External links

Authority control databases
Categories