Jeillo Edwards

Jeillo Edwards (23 September 1942 – 2 July 2004) was a Sierra Leonean actress, who is notable in the history of black actors in Britain. She was the first woman of African descent to study drama at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She went on to be one of the first black actresses to be cast in a mainstream UK television drama series – Dixon of Dock Green, and for more than four decades performed on British television, radio, stage and films.

Biography Jeillo Angela Doris Edwards was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, one of six children, and she attended the Annie Walsh Memorial School.

Edwards appeared in cameo roles in many British television comedy programmes, including The League of Gentlemen, Absolutely Fabulous, Red Dwarf, Black Books, Spaced and Little Britain, in which she had been planned to appear in the second series before her death.

As well as acting she was a school governor and owned a restaurant called Auntie J's in Brixton.

Jeillo Edwards died in London on 2 July 2004, at the age of 61. She had suffered chronic kidney problems.

Actress 2003: Little Britain .... Nurse (1 episode, 2003) 2003: Murder Investigation Team .... Agnes Welsh (1 episode, 2003) 2003: Murder in Mind .... Phyllis (1 episode, 2003) 2002: Dirty Pretty Things .... Hospital Cleaning Lady 2002: Anansi .... Aunt Vera 2001: Absolutely Fabulous .... Jeillo (1 episode, 2001) 2001: Sam's Game .... Mumma (1 episode, 2001) 2001: Spaced .... Tim's Benefit Clerk (1 episode, 2001) 2000: Black Books .... Midwife (1 episode, 2000) 2000: The Thing About Vince .... Mrs. Cuffy (2 episodes, 2000) 2000: The League of Gentlemen .... Yvonne (1 episode, 2000) 2000: Tough Love (TV) .... Irate Woman 1999: Red Dwarf .... Second Ground Controller (1 episode, 1999) 1998: A Rather English Marriage (TV) .... Sister 1998: Babes in the Wood .... Nigerian Lady (1 episode, 1998) 1998: In Exile .... Mother (1 episode, 1998) 1997: Holding On .... Aunt Gaynor (5 episodes, 1997) 1997: Paris, Brixton .... Landlady 1996: Beautiful Thing .... Rose 1994: Pat and Margaret (TV) .... Tea Bar Lady 1994: A Skirt Through History .... Mary Prince (1 episode, 1994) 1993: The Line, the Cross & the Curve .... Dancer 'Eat the Music' 1992: Screen One .... Mrs. Jessop (1 episode, 1992) 1989: Sob Sisters .... Woman with dog (1 episode, 1989) 1989: Casualty .... Grandmother / ... (3 episodes, 1989–1997) 1988: Rumpole of the Bailey .... Lady Cashier (1 episode, 1988) 1988: London's Burning .... Mrs. Jones (1 episode, 1988) 1987: The Bill .... Clarice Paine / Mary Mullen / Mrs Ambrose / Mrs Peake / Mrs Konchella / Mrs Keel / Woman at Counter (7 episodes, 1987–2000) 1987: Elphida (TV) .... Somali woman 1987: Scoop (TV) .... Mrs. Jackson 1985: Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense .... Landlady (1 episode, 1985) 1983: Maybury .... Mrs. Galsworthy (1 episode, 1983) 1982: Love Is Old, Love Is New (TV) .... Ward maid 1981: Memoirs of a Survivor .... Woman at Newsstand 1979: Empire Road ... Mary O'Fili (1 episode, 1979) 1979: Room Service TV series .... Mrs. McGregor (unknown episodes) 1978: The Professionals .... West Indian Woman (1 episode, 1978) 1978: Betzi (TV) .... Sarah 1976: Centre Play .... Nurse (2 episodes, 1976–1977) 1975: Play for Today .... Lucy / ... (2 episodes, 1975–1980) 1975: Angels .... Mrs. Jobo (2 episodes, 1975–1980) 1972: Dixon of Dock Green .... Mrs. Morgan (1 episode, 1972)