Geraldine Somerville


Geraldine Margaret Agnew-Somerville is a British actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles in the film Gosford Park and the Harry Potter film series. Her other notable roles were in My Week with Marilyn and Grace of Monaco.
In 1995, Somerville was nominated for a BAFTA Award for playing Jane Penhaligon in the television series Cracker from 1993 to 1995.

Early life

Somerville was born in County Meath, Ireland, the daughter of Sir Quentin Charles Agnew-Somerville, 2nd Baronet, and Hon. Margaret April Irene Drummond, an antiques dealer, but was brought up on the Isle of Man. Her mother is a daughter of John Drummond, 15th Baron Strange, and sister of the late Cherry Drummond, 16th Baroness Strange.
She has an elder sister, Amelia Rachel, and a younger brother, James Lockett Charles Agnew-Somerville, who worked in Hong Kong and writes poetry. Somerville attended dance classes from the age of six, and at eight was sent to the Arts Educational School, a boarding school in Tring, Hertfordshire, where she was taught ballet, music, and drama. She left at sixteen, but continued her studies in London.

Career

Somerville trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and graduated in 1989. She did stage work and appeared on TV in episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot and Casualty before landing the role of Penhaligon in Cracker, which she held from the show's inception in 1993 until its demise in 1995 and became one of the most memorable characters of the series.
Somerville played Lady Stockbridge in Julian Fellowes's Gosford Park and Harry Potter's mother Lily in all the Potter movies. In May 2007, she played author Daphne du Maurier in the BBC TV drama Daphne. She plays a leading role as fictional Louisa, Countess of Manton in the 2012 ITV mini-series Titanic.
In 2014, Somerville played Princess Antoinette of Monaco in the film Grace of Monaco. In 2014, she played Sarah Griffin in the BBC One mini-series Quirke.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1990CasualtyRuthTV series
1991The Black Velvet GownBiddy MillicanTV movie
1991Close My EyesNatalie's Boss
1993Agatha Christie's PoirotPauline WetherbyTV series
1993The BillTV series
1993CrackerDS Jane PenhaligonTV series
Nominated — BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress
1994Romeo & JulietJulietTV movie
1994A Business AffairSaleswoman
1994PerformanceAnn Welch/Miss JulieTV series
1996True BlueRuth McDonald
1998Heaven on EarthDeborah BennettTV movie
1998Jilting JoeOlivia
1998The Canterbury TalesDorigen/PerteloteTV series
1999AristocratsLady Emily LennoxTV series
1999Daylight RobberyVal McArdleTV mini-series
2001Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneLily Potter
2001Gosford ParkLouisa, Lady StockbridgeCritics Choice Award for Best Acting Ensemble
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Cast
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Ensemble
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture
2002Murder in MindAngela CoatesTV series
2002Re-inventing EddieJeanie Harris
2002The Safe HouseDr. Sam GrahamTV movie
2002Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsLily Potteruncredited
2004Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanLily Potter
2005Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireLily Potter
2005JerichoFiona HewittTV series
2006Sixty SixAlice Barrie
2007DaphneDaphne du MaurierTV movie
2007The Inspector Lynley MysteriesDS Michelle TateTV series
2007Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixLily Potter
2008The ChildrenSueTV series
2009Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceLily Potter
2010SurvivorsFiona DouglasTV series
2010Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1Lily Potter
2011Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2Lily Potter
2011My Week with MarilynLady Jane Clark
2012TitanicLouisa, Countess of MantonTV series
2012Inspector George GentlyAlethea BlackstoneTV series
2014QuirkeSarahTV series
2014Kids in LoveLinda
2014Grace of MonacoPrincess Antoinette of Monaco
2015New TricksAsst. Commissioner Cynthia Kline2 episodes
2016Silent WitnessLydia HamiltonTV series
2017Prime Suspect 1973Joyce TennisonTV series
2017The HippopotamusRebecca Logan
2017Goodbye Christopher RobinLady O
2018SydneyJennyShort movie
2018Kiss Me FirstRuth PalmerTv series