Ursula Howells

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 Crown Court (TV series) (1977) - Audrey Taylor ('Safe as Houses' episode) 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)