Sheila Reid (born 21 December 1937) is a Scottish actress, known for playing Madge Harvey in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2016).[2] An original member of the Royal National Theatre in 1963, she played Bianca in the National's 1965 film version of Othello, with Laurence Olivier in the title role. Her other film appearances include Brazil (1985), The Winter Guest (1997) and Containment (2015).

Sheila Reid
Born (1937-12-21) 21 December 1937 (age 86)
Glasgow, Scotland [1]
Years active1960–present
Notable workBenidorm (2007–2016)
Spouses
(m. 1967, d. 1999)
Terry Bullen
(m. 2008)

Education

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Born in Glasgow,[1] Reid grew up in Bridge of Weir before her father's army career took the family to India. She was then educated at Moreton Hall School,[3] a boarding independent school for girls, near the market town of Oswestry in Shropshire. Reid returned to the school to read ‘The Four Quartets’ by T. S. Eliot, at the Old Moretonian Grand Centenary Reunion celebration in 2014.[3]

Career

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Reid has had a long and distinguished career in theatre, film and television. She worked with Laurence Olivier, at The Royal National Theatre in London,[2] and with Ingmar Bergman and Elliott Gould.[2]

Roles in film and television

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Reid's rich career in acting has included numerous film and television roles starting in the 1960s.

1960s

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Throughout the 1960s, Reid appeared in numerous television series for both ITV and the BBC, including in Armchair Theatre, Tales of Mystery, Z Cars, Love Story, Knock on Any Door, and Theatre 625.

In the BBC's television film adaptation of the 1907 French stage play A Flea in Her Ear, she took on the role of Antoinette Plucheux.

1970s

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On 12 July 1970, she appeared in ITV drama anthology series ITV Sunday Night Theatre as Maria in the episode 'Twelfth Night'.

On 14 July 1971, The Touch,[4] directed by Ingmar Bergman was released in the US, starring Reid as Sara Kovac. The film received mixed to negative reviews from film critics and was a box office flop.

On 29 September 1971, she appeared in BBC One's drama series Owen, M.D. as Mrs. Shackles in the episode 'The Whole Hog, Part 1'. She returned to the role as Mrs. Shackles once more in the episode 'The Whole Hog, Part 2' which aired on 30 September 1971. In 1973, Reid returned to the series for three more episodes, this time as a different character, Mabel Simpson, in the episodes 'Water Under the Bridge' (22 April 1973), 'The Love Game' (3 June 1973) and 'Father of the Man' (6 May 1973).

On 3 April 1972, she appeared in BBC Two's drama anthology series Thirty-Minute Theatre as Mrs. Berry in the episode 'And for My Next Trick'.

On 2 March 1973, she appeared in ITV drama series Justice as Madge in the episode 'The Whole Truth?'.

On 22 May 1975, she appeared in BBC One's drama anthology series Play for Today as Vanessa Bagley in the episode 'Brassneck'.

On 29 December 1975, she appeared in BBC One's drama series Play of the Month as Lottie Grady in the episode 'When We Are Married'.

On 9 November 1976, she appeared in Australian miniseries The Emigrants as May Parker in the episode Chances for the Children. She returned to the role of May Parker twice more in the episode 'Endeavour' which aired on 16 November 1976 and '13,000 Miles Away' which aired on 23 November 1976. The show was broadcast on BBC One in the UK.

On 7 April 1978, she appeared in BBC One's comedy drama series All Creatures Great and Small as Mrs. Donovan in the episode 'Practice Makes Perfect'. She returned to the role of Mrs. Donovan once more in the episode 'Spring Fever' (29 September 1990).

On 22 October 1978, she appeared in the ITV drama series Lillie as Queen Victoria in the episode 'Bertie'. On 14 December 1978, she appeared in the ITV police drama The Sweeney as Doreen Haskins in the episode 'Victims'.[4]

1980s

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In October 1980, Sir Henry at Rawlinson End was released in the UK, starring Reid as Lady Rawlinson.[citation needed]

On 12 June 1981, she appeared in the ITV comedy drama series Get Lost! as Miss Langley in the episode 'Worried About Jim'. She returned to the role as Miss Langley in three more episodes, 'The Vicar Did It' (19 June 1981), 'Kiss Me Quick' (26 June 1981) and 'Not a Proper Ending' (3 July 1981).

On 8 January 1982, she appeared in BBC One's drama series Fame Is the Spur as Mrs. Ryerson in the episode 'Episode #1.1'. She returned to the role of Mrs. Ryerson in three more episodes, 'Episode #1.2' (15 January 1982), 'Episode #1.3' (22 January 1982) and 'Episode #1.4' (29 January 1982).

On 9 December 1983, she appeared in ITV comedy drama series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet as Patsy Busbridge in the episode 'Home Thoughts from Abroad'.

On 20 March 1984, she appeared in ITV drama series Miracles Take Longer as Mrs. Hook in the episode 'Episode #2.21'. She returned to the role of Mrs. Hook once more in the episode 'Episode #2.22' (26 March 1984).

In January 1985, she appeared as Etta in the two part Sixth Doctor story Vengeance on Varos in BBC One's science fiction drama Doctor Who.[4]

1990s

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On 20 April 1993, she starred as Jessie Fraser in the episode 'Gingerbread' in ITV's drama series Taggart.[4]

On 10 March 1995, she appeared as Tilda MacLean in the episode 'No Time for Heroes' in the ITV drama series Doctor Finlay.[4]

On 9 July 1995, she appeared in BBC One's five part drama series Oliver's Travels as Eileen in the episode 'Do We Look Like That?'. On 21 June 1998, she appeared as Edith Woodford in the ITV family drama Where the Heart Is.[4]

On 30 October 1998, she starred as Mrs. Baggott in the film Still Crazy.[4]

On 7 December 1999, she appeared in ITV police procedural drama The Bill,[4] as Claire in the episode 'Consumers'. She returned to the role of Claire once more in the episode 'Lock In' (9 December 1999). She returned to the series many years later, this time as a different character, Audrey Thorp, in one more episode '431' (3 August 2006).[4]

2000–present

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On 2 October 2001, she appeared in BBC One's medical soap opera Doctors as Louise Kingston in the episode "Retiring the Past". She returned to the series on four more occasions, each time playing a different character. She played Ivy Brownlow in the episode "You People" (20 January 2009), Eena McFee in the episode "Seize the Day" (31 May 2011) and Sid Dalmond in the episode "Sid's Blues" (22 January 2014). On 17 April 2020, Reid appeared as 'Speedy Sue', a con artist.[5]

On 15 September 2002, she appeared in BBC One's comedy drama series Monarch of the Glen as Reverend Alice in the episode 'Episode #4.3'. On 17 January 2003, she appeared as Mrs. Metcalfe in the episode 'Painted in Blood' in ITV crime drama series Midsomer Murders.[4]

On 17 September 2005, she appeared in BBC One's medical drama series Casualty as Cynthia Hollis in the episode 'Deep Water'. She returned to the series on three more occasions, each time playing a different character. She played Loretta Parks in the episode 'Into the Fog' (2 October 2010), Gwen Morgan in the episode 'Return to Sender' (25 October 2014) and Sheila Bobbins in the episode 'Schoolboy Crush' (24 September 2016).[4]

On 18 January 2006, she appeared in BBC One's drama anthology series The Afternoon Play as Edith in the episode 'Your Mother Should Know'.

On 28 January 2006, she appeared in BBC One's paranormal mystery drama Sea of Souls as Aggie the Chambermaid in the episode 'The Newsroom'.

In late 2006, Reid was cast as loud-mouth Madge Harvey in the ITV sitcom Benidorm. Her character first appeared on 1 February 2007 in the first episode alongside her new on-screen family, The Garveys. It was announced on 8 January 2015 that Madge and The Garveys were leaving the show after nearly 8 years. They departed on the second episode of Series 7 (9 January 2015). On 17 April 2015, ITV confirmed Reid's return to the series and that she would appear in the third episode of Series 8. On 25 January 2016, Reid reprised her role as Madge for one episode.[6][7]

On 13 November 2009, she appeared in BBC One's dark mystery series Psychoville as Old Crone in the 7th episode.

On 21 June 2012, she appeared in Sky Arts sketch show/comedy drama Psychobitches as Mother Teresa in the episode 'Pilot'. She returned to the series on three more occasions, each time playing a different character. She played Margot Fonteyn in the episode 'Episode #1.1' (30 May 2013), Betty Ford in the episode 'Episode #1.5' (27 June 2013) and Shirley Temple in the episode 'Episode #2.6' (23 December 2014).

On 25 December 2012, she appeared in BBC One's period drama Call the Midwife as Mrs. Jenkins in the Christmas Special episode.[4]

On 13 February 2013, she appeared in BBC One's sitcom Bob Servant Independent as Margo Servant in the episode 'The Media'.

On 25 December 2013, she returned to Doctor Who, this time playing Clara Oswald's Grandmother in the Eleventh Doctor episode The Time of the Doctor.

On 6 May 2014, she appeared in BBC One's drama anthology series Comedy Playhouse as Lady Cairnsworth in the episode 'Miller's Mountain'.

On 1 November 2014, she appeared again in Doctor Who as Clara's Grandmother in the Twelfth Doctor episode Dark Water. She was simply credited as 'Gran' in the end credits to both episodes.

Roles in theatre

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1960s

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In 1963, she starred as Fio Bates in Half a Sixpence at The Cambridge Theatre in London.

1990s

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In 1993, she starred as Beggar Woman in the London revival of Sweeney Todd at The Royal National Theatre.

In 1996, she starred as Celestine in Martin Guerre: The Musical at The Prince Edward Theatre in London.

In 1998, she starred as Jack's Mother in Into the Woods at The Donmar Warehouse in London.

2010–present

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In 2015 she played Mrs. Fiedke in the National Theatre of Scotland's production of Laurie Sansom's adaptation of Muriel Spark's novella, The Driver's Seat.[8]

In 2017, she starred as Gloria in Silver Lining, a new sitcom written by Sandi Toksvig, at The Rose Theatre, Kingston in London.

Personal life

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Reid was formerly married to actor Julian Curry.[1] On 11 April 2008, after 32 years together, she and partner Terry Bullen were married in London, at a private ceremony watched by 12 close friends.[9]

She is involved with charity Plan International.[9]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1965 Othello Bianca
The Alphabet Murders Mrs. Fortune
1967 A Flea in Her Ear Antoinette Plucheux
1970 Three Sisters Natasha
1971 The Touch Sara Kovac [2]
1972 I Want What I Want June
Z.P.G. Mary Herrick
1980 Sir Henry at Rawlinson End Lady Florrie Rawlinson
1982 Five Days One Summer Gillian Pierce
The Black Room Female Lover
1983 The Dresser Lydia Gibson
1985 Brazil Mrs. Buttle
1987 The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne Miss Friel
1990 Vroom Jake's Mother
1991 American Friends Mrs. Weeks
1995 Cruel Train Vera Mussell
1997 The Winter Guest Lily
The Man Who Knew Too Little Woman in SS Cap
1998 Still Crazy Mrs. Baggot
1999 Felicia's Journey Iris
2002 Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War Joyce
2004 A Christmas Carol: The Musical Mrs. Mops
2007 A Room with a View Miss Alan
2008 Hush Mrs. Coates
2015 Containment Enid
The Bad Education Movie Margot
2016 Halcyon Heights Grandma
2020 The Man in the Hat The Old Woman
2023 Love Without Walls Jeanie Binks
2024 Portraits of Dangerous Women Nancy

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1960 Inside Story Jean Episode: "Fifteen Years Solitary"
Armchair Theatre Assistant Librarian Episode: "Mr Nobody"
1962 Tales of Mystery Jessica Episode: "Chinese Magic"
1964 Z Cars Maureen Stringfellow Episode: "A Stroll Along the Sands"
Love Story Miss Watson Episode: "The Wooing of Miss Watson"
1966 Knock on Any Door Sue Burton Episode: "Sunday in Prospective"
Love Story The Girl Episode: "Dead Set at Dream Boy"
1967 Theatre 625 Mavis Episode: "The Lost Years of Brian Hooper"
1970 ITV Sunday Night Theatre Maria Episode: "Twelfth Night"
1971 Owen, M.D. Mrs. Shackles 2 episodes
1972 Thirty-Minute Theatre Mrs. Berry Episode: "And For My Next Trick"
1973 Justice Madge Episode: "The Whole Truth?"
Owen, M.D. Mabel Simpson 2 episodes
1978, 1990 All Creatures Great and Small Mrs. Donovan 2 episodes
1978 The Sweeney Doreen Haskins Episode: "Victims"
1980 Flickers Lily Brewer All 6 episodes
1981 Somewhere More Central Pat TV film
Get Lost! Miss Langley All 4 episodes
1982 Fame Is the Spur Mrs. Ryerson 4 episodes
1983 The Home Front Hilda Episode: "Walk in My Shoes"
Gunfight at the Joe Kaye Corral Cathie TV film
The Aerodrome Bessie's Mother TV film
Farmers Arms Mrs. Rice TV film
Auf Wiedersehen Pet Patsy Episode: "Home Thoughts from Abroad"
1984 Horizon Mrs. Hughes Episode: "The Intelligence Man"
Miracles Take Longer Mrs. Hook 2 episodes
1985 Doctor Who Etta Episode: "Vengeance on Varos"
1986 Raspberry Ripple Alice TV film
1987 Never Say Die Woman in street Episode: #1.2
1990 Tygo Road Bridget O'Casey Episode: #1.2
1993 You, Me and It Betty 2 episodes
Taggart Jessie Fraser 3 episodes
15: The Life and Death of Philip Knight Dr. Elizabeth Perry TV film
1995 Oliver's Travels Eileen Episode: "Do We Look Like That?"
The Ghostbusters of East Finchley Hilda 6 episodes
Doctor Finlay Tilda MacLean Episode: "No Time for Heroes"
1998 My Wonderful Life Mrs. McIntyre Episode: "The Ring"
Where the Heart Is Edith Woodford Episode: "She Goes On"
1999 The Bill Claire 2 episodes
2000 The Sleeper Mrs. Fitzhal TV film
2001 Doctors Louise Kingston Episode: "Retiring the Past"
2002 Monarch of the Glen Reverend Alice Episode: #4.3
2003 Midsomer Murders Mrs. Metcalfe Episode: "Painted In Blood"
2005 Casualty Cynthia Hollis Episode: "Deep Water"
2006 The Afternoon Play Edith Episode: "Your Mother Should Know"
Sea of Souls Aggie the Chambermaid Episode: "The Newsroom"
The Bill Audrey Thorp Episode: "Almost Human"
2007–2016 Benidorm Madge Harvey 45 episodes
2008 Bones Paige Bonham Episode: "The Yanks in the U.K."
Place of Execution Ma Lomas 3 episodes
2009 Doctors Ivy Brownlow Episode: "You People"
Holby City Evelyn Mackonickle Episode: "Trust"
Theatre Live! Nora Episode: "Mind Away"
2010 Casualty Loretta Parks Episode: "Into the Fog"
2009, 2011 Psychoville Grandma 2 episodes
2011 Justice Alice 2 episodes
Doctors Eena McFee Episode: "Seize the Day"
Case Histories Ms MacDonald 2 episodes
2012–2014 Psychobitches Various 5 episodes
2012 Call the Midwife Mrs. Jenkins Episode: "Christmas Special"
A Christmas Corrie Police Officer TV film
2013 Bob Servant Independent Margo Servant Episode: "The Media"
2013, 2014 Doctor Who Gran 2 episodes
2014 Doctors Sid Dalmond Episode: "Sid's Blues"
Mountain Goats Lady Carnsworth Episode: "Miller's Mountain"
Casualty Gwen Morgan Episode: "Return to Sender"
2015 Father Brown Lady Edna Forbes-Leith Episode: "The Truth in the Wine"
Pypo Magda Episode: "Personal Critiquer"
2016 Casualty Sheila Bobbins Episode: "Schoolboy Crush"
2017 Halloween Comedy Shorts Lucy Episode: "A Deal"
Murder on the Blackpool Express Mildred TV film
2018 Humans Iris Episode: #3.5
Death on the Tyne Mildred TV film
2019 Dial M for Middlesbrough Mildred TV film
2020 Doctors 'Speedy Sue' Burgess Episode: "Together Time"[10]
Out of Her Mind Mrs. Answers Episode: "My Life is Ova"
2022 Big Boys Iris 3 episodes
2023 Dreamland Nan All 6 episodes
Inside No. 9 Mollie Episode: "The Last Weekend"
The Power of Parker Gladys All 6 episodes
Bodies Baroness Antonia Garner Episode: "All in Good Time"
Beyond Paradise Kathleen Jones Episode: "Christmas Special"

Video Game credits

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Select National Theatre credits

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Other selected theatre credits

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References

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  1. ^ a b c McGlone, Jackie (11 January 1992). "To dare and dare again". The Herald.
  2. ^ a b c d Sutherland, Gill (6 November 2018). "Sheila Reid Interview: From Benidorm to Troy". Stratford-Upon-Avon Herald.
  3. ^ a b "Moreton Hall Hosts Centenary Old Moretonian Reunion". ukboardingschools.com. 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Sheila Reid Credits". tvguide.com. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Together Time". Doctors. 17 April 2020. BBC. BBC One.
  6. ^ Fulton, Rick (8 January 2015). "It's bye bye Benidorm as actress Sheila Reid scoots off into the sunset". dailyrecord. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  7. ^ "FIRST LOOK: ITV confirms Sheila Reid is returning to Benidorm as Madge | News | TV News | What's on TV". What' s on TV. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  8. ^ The Driver's Seat theatre programme, National Theatre of Scotland, June 2015
  9. ^ a b "Benidorm Star's Real Life Wedding". The Mirror. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 29 May 2008.
  10. ^ Timblick, Simon (7 April 2020). "Doctors spoilers: Ruhma Carter's son Shak Hanif discovers the truth". What's on TV.
  11. ^ Billington, Michael (19 October 2018). "Troilus and Cressida review – love, war and lechery on the road to dystopia". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
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Sheila Reid at IMDb