Ursula Howells (17 September 1922 – 16 October 2005) was an English actress whose elegant presence kept her much in demand for roles in film and television.
Life and career
Howells was born in London, the daughter of composer Herbert Howells, and was educated at St Paul's Girls' School, where her father worked as Director of Music. She made her first stage appearance at Dundee in 1939, in John Drinkwater's Bird in Hand, then moved to Oxford in 1942 and three years later made her London debut at the Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage. In 1947, she appeared in the comedy Jane at the Aldwych Theatre. After several years in the West End, and a brief stint on Broadway where she appeared in Springtime for Henry in 1951, she began to appear in films.
After the death of her father in 1983, Ursula Howells instigated the Herbert Howells Society in 1987, and became a standard bearer for the promotion of his work. She financially supported the recording of his compositions and did much to encourage the publishing and promotion of church music.
Howells died on 16 October 2005, aged 83.
Filmography
Film
Flesh and Blood (1951) - Harriet Marshall
I Believe in You (1952) - Hon. Ursula
The Oracle (1953) - Peggy
The Weak and the Wicked (1954) - Pam Vickers
The Gilded Cage (1955) - Brenda Lucas
The Constant Husband (1955) - 'The Wives' - Ann
Track the Man Down (1955) - Mary Dennis
They Can't Hang Me (1955) - Antonia Pitt
Handcuffs, London (1955) - Madelaine Perry
Keep It Clean (1956) - Pat Anstey
The Long Arm (1956) - Mrs. Elliot / Mrs. Gilson
West of Suez (1957) - Eileen
Account Rendered (1957) - Lucille Ainsworth
Two Letter Alibi (1962) - Louise Hilary
80,000 Suspects (1963) - Joanna Duten
The Sicilians (1964) - Mme. Perrault
Dr Terror's House of Horrors (1965) - Mrs. Deirdre Biddulph (segment "Werewolf") Torture Garden (1967) - Miss Maxine Chambers (segment 3 "Mr. Steinway") Assignment K (1968) - Estelle Crossplot (1969) - Maggi Thwaites Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly (1970) - Mumsy Father, Dear Father (1973) - Barbara The Tichborne Claimant (1998) - Lady Doughty
Television
Madhouse on Castle Street (1963) - Martha Tompkins
Dixon of Dock Green (1963) - Jean Baker Ellis
The Forsyte Saga (1967) - Frances
Man in a Suitcase (1968) - Clara Arnoldson
Father, Dear Father (1968-1973) - Barbara Mossman
Upstairs, Downstairs (1975) - Duchess of Buckminster
The Barchester Chronicles (1982) - Miss Thorne
Miss Marple - A Murder is Announced (1985) - Miss Blacklock
Bergerac (1985-1991) - Laura Atherton / Elizabeth Fouchet
Casualty (1993-1997) - Erica Chisnall / Hilda
Lovejoy (1994) - Olive Nettleton
Under the Hammer (1994) - Mrs. Roper
Heartbeat (1995) - Miriam Wakefield
Dangerfield (1995) - Violet Trevelyn
A Rather English Marriage (1998, TV Movie) - Mary
The Cazalets (2001) - Kitty Cazalet
Midsomer Murders- The Electric Vendetta (2001) - Lady Isabel Aubrey (final appearance)