Biography
Barbara Joy Flynn (born 5 August 1948) is an English actress. She first came to prominence playing Freda Ashton in the ITV drama series A Family at War (1970–1972). She went on to play the milk woman in the BBC comedy Open All Hours (1976–1985), Jill Swinburne in The Beiderbecke Trilogy (1985–1988), Dr. Rose Marie in the BBC series A Very Peculiar Practice (1986–1988), Judith Fitzgerald in the ITV drama Cracker (1993–1995), and Mrs. Jamieson in Cranford (2007–2009). In 2021, she appeared in Doctor Who: Flux as Tecteun, a founder of Time Lord society and The Doctor's adopted mother. Starting in 2023, she acted in Beyond Paradise, playing the mother of the detective's girlfriend. This included some episodes in 2024 where she was reunited with Peter Davison, her A Very Peculiar Practice co-star. In her own words, she tends to play "feisty, strong women"
Acted in 79
2020s
- 2023
- 2020
Kate & Koji
Councillor Lavinia Bone · 6 episodes
2010s
- 2018
- 2016
- 2014
1864
Queen Victoria, Dronning Victoria
- 2013
Pat & Cabbage
Pat · 6 episodes
- 2012
Cheerful Weather for the Wedding
Aunt Bella
- 2011
- 2010
Burlesque Fairytales
Mrs. Argyle
2000s
- 2009
The Queen
The Queen · 5 episodes
- 2008
10 Days to War
Clare Short · 1 episode
- 2007
Christmas at the Riviera
Rita
- 2006
The Line of Beauty
Sally Tipper · 1 episode
- 2005
Malice Aforethought
Julia Bickleigh · 2 episodes
- 2004
He Knew He Was Right
Mrs French · 2 episodes
- 2003
Hornblower: Duty
Mrs. Mason
Hornblower: Loyalty
Mrs. Mason
- 2002
- 2001
Perfect
Imogen · 2 episodes
Lorna Doone
Sarah Ridd
- 2000
Lorna Doone
Sarah Ridd · 2 episodes
1990s
- 1999
You're Dead...
Prof. Corner
- 1998
King Lear
Goneril
Dear Nobody
Chris' Mother
- 1997
The Vanishing Man
Dr Jeffries · 1 episode
The Vanishing Man
Me Jeffries
- 1996
- 1994
Chandler & Co
Dee Tate · 6 episodes
- 1993
- 1992
- 1991
Joshua Jones
Daphne Peacock / Fiona Cashmore / Dakasha Karia / Sharon Cope (voices) · 12 episodes
- 1990
1980s
- 1989
The Justice Game
Eleanor Goodchild · 4 episodes
Bosses From Hell
Movie
- 1988
The Beiderbecke Connection
Jill Swinburne · 4 episodes
- 1987
The Beiderbecke Tapes
Jill Swinburne · 2 episodes
- 1986
Season's Greetings
Belinda
A Very Peculiar Practice
Dr Rose Marie · 14 episodes
- 1985
The Beiderbecke Affair
Jill Swinburne · 6 episodes
- 1982
A Mother Like Him
Jill
The Barchester Chronicles
Mary Bold · 6 episodes
Britannia Hospital
Private Nurse
- 1981
No Visible Scar
Margaret Hanson
The Last Song
Shirley · 6 episodes
- 1980
Standing in for Henry
Heather
Keep It in the Family
Marlene · 1 episode
1970s
- 1977
Love on a Gunboat
Monica Potter
- 1976
Open All Hours
The Milk Woman · 11 episodes
- 1975
The Flight Fund
Angie
- 1974
- 1973
- 1970
1960s
- 1962
Appearances12
2020s
- 2026
Open All Hours: Inside Out
Self
- 2025
Secrets of the Royals: Births, Marriages and Deaths
Narrator · 10 episodes
- 2022
2010s
- 2013
The Flying Scotsman: A Rail Romance
Narrator (Voice)
- 2012
Jet! When Britain Ruled the Skies
Herself - Narrator · 2 episodes
- 2011
- 2010
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding
Narrator (voice) · 14 episodes
2000s
- 2009
A Lion Called Christian
Self - Narrator(voice)
- 2007
Guarding The Queen
Narrator · 3 episodes
- 2003
George Orwell: A Life In Pictures
Narrator
Rosalind Franklin: DNA's Dark Lady
Narrator
1990s
- 1999
The Man Who Would Be Kubrick
Self - Narrator