Joan Blackham

Joan Blackham (15 May 1946 – 6 September 2020 ) was a British actress with a long stage, film and television career.

Education

Blackham attended The Alice Ottley School, Worcester and was head of Carroll house.

Career Blackham was a professional actress and supply teacher, including special needs. She studied at the New College of Speech and Drama in London and with the Open University. She was a board member of Women in Film and Television UK and co-produced script-reading sessions for its Writers' Group.

Selected appearances Stage Calendar Girls (Chichester/National tour, West End, 2008) – Brenda Hulse/Lady Cravenshire Jane Eyre (Shared Experience at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, 1999) – Mrs. Reed/Mrs. Fairfax The Man of Mode (RSC) – Lady Townley The Love of the Nightingale (RSC) – Queen/Chorus King Lear (RSC) – Goneril Across Oka (RSC) – Margaret

Film Return to Waterloo (1984) – Mother Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1997) – Librarian Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) – Shirley Mothers and Daughters (2004) – Paddy, a mother who just can't help but meddle Twisted Sisters (2006) – Jennifer's mother These Foolish Things (2006) – Mrs. Griffin The Sweeney (2012) – Landlady The Knot (2012) – Aunt Claire Battle for Sevastopol (2015) – Eleanor Roosevelt A Prominent Patient (2017) – Mrs. Fitzgerald

Television The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1977) Season 2, 2 Episodes – Miss Erith To the Manor Born (1980) Series 2, Episode 2 The Spare Room – Diana 'Podge' Hodge, a glamorous divorcee Take a Letter, Mr. Jones (1981) All 6 episodes – Ruth Sweet Sixteen (1983) All 6 episodes – Jane Chocky's Challenge (1986) All 6 episodes – Mrs. Gibson Home to Roost (1987) Series 3, 6 Episodes – Fiona Fennell Intimate Contact (1987) - Headmistress The Castle of Adventure (1990) All 8 episodes – the school teacher Inspector Morse (1993) Season 7, Episode 3 Twilight of the Gods – Helen Buscott Judge John Deed (2003–2006) 8 episodes over 3 seasons – Lady Vera Everard Blue Murder (2003–2009) 2 episodes over 2 seasons – Diane Midsomer Murders (2011) Season 13, Episode 7 Not in My Back Yard – Maureen Stubbs Doctors (2012) Season 13, Episode 182 Baby Steps – Eleanor Lawson

Video games Dark Souls III (2016) – High Priestess Emma (voice) Fragments of Him (2016) – Mary (voice) Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Storm Ground (2021) – Crone (voice)