Highest rated as cast or director
Pride and Prejudice
1995 · 1 Season
Gavin & Stacey
2007 · 3 Seasons
Better Man
2024
Clockwise
1986
Biography
Alison Steadman (born 26 August 1946) is an English actor. She won the 1991 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the Mike Leigh (her husband 1973-2001) film Life is Sweet, and the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role as Mari in the original production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. In a 2007 Channel 4 poll, the "50 Greatest Actors" voted for by other actors, she was ranked No. 42. Steadman made her professional stage debut in 1968 and went on to establish her career in Mike Leigh's 1970s TV plays Nuts in May (1976) and Abigail's Party (1977). She received BAFTA TV Award nominations for the 1986 BBC serial The Singing Detective, and in 2001 for the ITV drama series Fat Friends (2000–05). Other television roles include Pride and Prejudice (1995), Gavin & Stacey (2007–10, 2019) and Orphan Black (2015–16). Her other film appearances include A Private Function (1984), Clockwise (1986), Shirley Valentine (1989), Topsy Turvy (1999), and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004).
Acted in 126
2020s
- 2026
Joke
Vet
- 2025
Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza
Sue Jessop
- 2024
Gavin & Stacey: The Finale
Pam Shipman
- 2023
Here We Go: Mum's Classic Family Christmas
Sue Jessop
Alison & Larry: Billericay To Barry
Alison Steadman · 3 episodes
Wake
Grace
- 2022
Here We Go
Sue Jessop · 19 episodes
- 2021
- 2020
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse
Dora
23 Walks
Fern
2010s
- 2019
Off Grid
Grace Tanner
- 2018
68Care
Mary
Butterfly
Barbara · 3 episodes
Hold the Sunset
Edith · 12 episodes
- 2017
Yours Faithfully, Edna Welthorpe (Mrs)
Movie
We Can Be Heroes
Granny Evans
- 2016
Burn Burn Burn
Diana
Dad's Army
Mrs. Fox
- 2015
Peterman
Auntie Jean
- 2014
The Secrets
Angela · 1 episode
Boomers
Joyce · 12 episodes
- 2013
Love and Marriage
Pauline Paradise · 6 episodes
- 2012
The Syndicate
Rose Wilson · 6 episodes
- 2011
French Exchange
Mrs. Phillips
- 2010
Come Rain Come Shine
Dora Mitchell
2000s
- 2008
Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special 2008
Pam Shipman
- 2007
Who Gets the Dog
Jenny Evans
Fanny Hill
Mrs. Brown · 2 episodes
The Dinner Party
Juliet
The Man from Montevideo
Karen Horner
- 2006
Loony in the Woods
Crazy Butcher
- 2005
Twisted Tales
Margery Faversham · 1 episode
- 2004
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers
Casting Agent
- 2003
Chunky Monkey
Beryl
- 2002
D.I.Y. Hard
Woman
Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale
Mrs. Meisling · 2 episodes
- 2001
Bob the Builder: A Christmas to Remember - The Movie
Mayoress Bunty Ferguson (voice)
Happy Now
Bronwyn Race
Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years
Pauline Mole · 6 episodes
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
Jack and the Beanstalk
Mother / Veronica
Let Them Eat Cake
TV
Santa's Last Christmas
Mrs Whatnot (voice)
- 1998
Stressed Eric
TV
- 1997
The Ugly Duckling
The Hen (voice)
The Missing Postman
Christine Peacock · 2 episodes
The Missing Postman
Christine Peacock
- 1996
No Bananas
Evelyn Hamilton · 10 episodes
Karaoke
Mrs Haynes · 2 episodes
The Snow Queen's Revenge
Pearl
- 1995
Crapston Villas
TV
Gotta Get Out
Maggie
- 1994
The Wimbledon Poisoner
Elinor Farr · 2 episodes
Do You Remember the First Time?
Movie
Degas and Pissario Fall Out
Emma Dumay
- 1993
Selling Hitler
Edda Goering
- 1992
Gone to Seed
Hilda Plant · 6 episodes
Blame It on the Bellboy
Rosemary Horton
- 1991
Gone to the Dogs
Lauren Patterson · 6 episodes
Selling Hitler
Edda Goering · 1 episode
Life Is Sweet
Wendy
- 1990
News Hounds
Jackie Johns
1980s
- 1989
A Small Mourning
Marjorie
Wilt
Eva
Virtuoso
Brenda
Monster Maker
Perriwinkle
7 Deadly Sins: Stage Acting
Janista Maine
- 1988
- 1987
The Short & Curlies
Betty
- 1986
- 1985
Coming Through
Kate
Number One
Doreen
The Caucasian Chalk Circle
Kato/Natella/Aniko
- 1984
Champions
Mary Hussey
- 1983
Tartuffe, or The Imposter
Elmire
- 1982
- 1981
The Muscle Market
Susan
- 1980
Pasmore
Kay Pasmore
1970s
- 1977
Abigail's Party
Beverley
Our Flesh and Blood
Jan Blincoe
- 1976
Bag of Yeast
Margaret Hudson
Nuts in May
Candice Marie
Red Letter Day
Margaret Hudson · 1 episode
- 1975
Through the Night
Christine Potts
Oil Strike North
TV
Early to Bed
Helen
The Wackers
Bernadette Clarkson · 7 episodes
- 1974
Taking Leave
Nonie
Girl
Jackie
- 1973
Hard Labour
Veronica Thornley
- 1972
- 1970
1960s
- 1967
No release date
King of the Teds
Tina
Wrote 2
2010s
- 2010
1980s
- 1989
7 Deadly Sins: Stage Acting
Writer
Appearances21
2020s
- 2025
Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell
Self
- 2023
The 1970s Dinner Party
Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2022
Queen and Country
Narrator (voice)
- 2021
Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig
Self · 1 episode
2010s
- 2017
Becky Watts Killed for Kicks
Narrator
- 2016
Let's Do It: A Tribute to Victoria Wood
Self
- 2014
Gareth's All Star Choir
Self - Choir Member · 2 episodes
- 2012
The Great Sport Relief Bake Off
Self - Contestant · 1 episode
- 2011
All Roads Lead Home
Herself · 3 episodes
- 2010
Fry and Laurie Reunited
Self - Narrator (voice)
2000s
- 2009
Caravans: A British Love Affair
Narrator
- 2007
All About 'Abigail's Party'
Self
The 50 Greatest Television Dramas
Self
- 2006
1990s
- 1993
1980s
- 1988
- 1982
Mike Leigh: Making Plays
Self
1940s
- 1949
