About
Dame Penelope Alice Wilton DBE (born 3 June 1946) is an English actress. She was formerly married to fellow actor Sir Ian Holm, and as she has not remarried, she retains her married style of Lady Holm. Wilton is known for starring opposite Richard Briers in the BBC sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles (1984–1989), playing Homily in The Borrowers (1992) and The Return of the Borrowers(1993), and for her role as the widowed Isobel Crawley in the ITV drama Downton Abbey (2010–2015). She also played the recurring role of Harriet Jones in Doctor Who (2005–2008) and Anne in Ricky Gervais' Netflix dark comedy After Life. Wilton has had an extensive career on stage, receiving six Olivier Award nominations. She was nominated for Man and Superman (1981), The Secret Rapture (1988), The Deep Blue Sea(1994), John Gabriel Borkman (2008) and The Chalk Garden (2009) before winning the 2015 Olivier Award...
Known for
Doctor WhoSeries • 2005
Play for TodaySeries • 1970
Downton AbbeySeries • 2010
BBC Play of the MonthSeries • 1965
Agatha Christie's MarpleSeries • 2004
Pride & PrejudiceMovie • 2005
Kavanagh Q.C.Series • 1995
PerformanceSeries • 1991
The BFGMovie • 2016
After LifeSeries • 2019
Shaun of the DeadMovie • 2004
Downton AbbeyMovie • 2019
Downton Abbey: A New EraMovie • 2022
Downton Abbey: The Grand FinaleMovie • 2025
Five DaysSeries • 2007
Match PointMovie • 2005
Operation MincemeatMovie • 2022
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold FryMovie • 2023
Wives and DaughtersSeries • 1999
Calendar GirlsMovie • 2003
SummerlandMovie • 2020
Murder Is EasySeries • 2023
The Second Best Exotic Marigold HotelMovie • 2015
The French Lieutenant's WomanMovie • 1981