Dolly Wells

Dorothy Perpetua Wells (born Gatacre; 5 December 1971) is an English actress. She co-wrote and starred in the Sky Living series Doll & Em (2014–2015) with Emily Mortimer, and wrote and directed the 2019 comedy-drama Good Posture. Her other television work includes roles in Star Stories (2006–2008), Some Girls (2012–2014), Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy (2012–2014), Blunt Talk (2015–2016), Dracula, The Outlaws (2021), and Inside Man (2022).

Early life Wells was born Dorothy Gatacre, in Merton, London, on 5 December 1971, the youngest of six children. She is the daughter of comic actor John Wells and Teresa Chancellor, daughter of Sir Christopher Chancellor, general manager of Reuters from 1944 to 1959. Wells grew up thinking her father was her stepfather, and did not find out he was her biological father until she was eighteen. She later changed her name from Gatacre—her mother's first husband was Edward Gatacre—to Wells. Her first cousin is the actress Anna Chancellor.

She was educated in a Catholic convent school, after failing the entrance exam for St Paul's. While trying to build an acting career, she worked as a journalist at the Evening Standard and as a book reviewer.

Personal life Wells married photographer Mischa Richter in 2000. They have a daughter, Elsie (b. 2002) and a son, Ezra (b. 2005). Both appeared with their mother in Doll & Em.

Filmography

Films Year Title Role Notes 1998 The Sea Change Jane 2001 Far on Foot Sophie Cartwright Short film Bridget Jones's Diary Woney 2002 Morvern Callar Susan 2003 Nobody Needs to Know Dolly Associate producer I Capture the Castle Fur Department Vendeuse 2008 Franklyn Nurse 2009 Mr. Right Fizz 2012 Tumult Tour Guide Short film 2014 Benny & Jolene Rosamund 2015 Black Mountain Poets Claire 45 Years Charlotte 2016 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Mrs. Featherstone Bridget Jones's Baby Woney 2017 Izzy Gets the F*ck Across Town The Woman in the Field Home Again Tracy I Do... Until I Don't Vivian Prudeck 2018 Boundaries Sofia Furlough SA Group Leader Can You Ever Forgive Me? Anna 2019 Good Posture Writer and director The Return of the Yuletide Kid Agent 2020 The Stand In Second AD Daisy 2021 Love Spreads Julie 2022 Susie Searches Professor Gallagher 2023 Three Birthdays Marian 2024 Down, Down, Down Sarah Short film Babygirl Therapist 2025 Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Woney

Television