Penelope Keith

Acting

Penelope Keith

Born — Died

1940-04-02 — 2026-06-29

Place of birth

Sutton, Surrey, England, UK

Known for

Acting

Credits

59 titles

Dame Penelope Anne Constance Keith, DBE, DL (née Hatfield; 2 April 1940 – 29 June 2026) was an English actress and presenter, active in all genres, including radio, stage, television and film and primarily known for her roles in the British sitcoms The Good Life and To the Manor Born.

Known for

Wogan poster
5.6

Chat show hosted by Terry Wogan, featuring live studio interviews with famous and notable personalities.

Wogan

1982

The Avengers poster
7.8

A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominantly female partners. Jonathan Steed - an urbane, proper gentleman spy - teams with various assistants throughout the series' run, including Dr. David Keel, Cathy Gale, Emma Peel and Tara King, to repeatedly save the world from diabolical schemes plotted by equally diabolical evil-doers (among them robots and man-eating monsters).

The Avengers

1961

BBC Play of the Month poster
5.2

A BBC television anthology series featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different work, often using prominent British stage actors in the leading roles. The series was transmitted from October 1965 to September 1983.

BBC Play of the Month

1965

ITV Playhouse poster
7.0

ITV Playhouse is a British comedy-drama TV series that ran from 1967 to 1983, which featured contributions from playwrights such as Dennis Potter, Rhys Adrian and Alan Sharp. The series began in black and white, but was later shot in colour and was produced by various companies for the ITV network, a format that would inspire Dramarama. Actors appearing in the series included Leslie Anderson, Gwen Nelson, Ricky Alleyne, Pat Heywood, Michael Elphick, Ian Hendry, Edward Woodward, Margaret Lockwood, Jessie Matthews and Lloyd Peters.

ITV Playhouse

1967

Death Comes to Pemberley poster
6.9

A British television drama based on P. D. James' novel of the same name, a murder mystery sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Six years after the union of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Lydia Wickham barges into Pemberley screaming that her husband has been murdered.

Death Comes to Pemberley

2013

Remembers… poster
7.5

What are the secrets of our favourite TV shows? Famous names from both sides of the camera reflect on making some of the most popular and influential programs of all time.

Remembers…

2022

Film credits

1980s · 6 titles

1970s · 9 titles

Every Home Should Have One poster
4.9

Teddy works for a large advertising company. Given the seemingly impossible task of selling frozen porridge, he decides to produce commercials that make the product seem sexy. This leads him to confrontation with the "Keep Television Clean" movement, of which his wife is a senior member.

Every Home Should Have One

1970

The Hound of the Baskervilles poster
4.4

When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Sherlock Holmes is hired to investigate.

The Hound of the Baskervilles

1978

Take a Girl Like You poster
5.8

Young Jenny heads to the South of England to start a new career as a school teacher. Even before she has had a chance to settle in she meets Patrick, one of the local "lads". Within a short time she has her hands full when a number of the local boys take a liking to her. But who will be the lucky one who wins her affections?

Take a Girl Like You

1970

Penny Gold poster
6.0

While investigating a murder case, a detective stumbles upon a rare-stamp swindle involving the victim's twin sister.

Penny Gold

1973

Ghost Story poster
4.9

Several old college friends converge at a mansion, ostensibly for a pleasant reunion. Larry Dann, the most easygoing of the bunch, comes to the conclusion that all is not well in the old dark house. For one thing, he's run across several people whom he's never met. For another, they all seem to be of a different time and place.

Ghost Story

1974

No artwork available
NR

Elton John has trouble getting correct directions. Eric and Ernie move house. Ernie's play is called 'Cyrano de Bergerac' and stars Francis Matthews and Penelope Keith.

The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show

1977

No artwork available
NR

A film biography by David Jones with Freddie Jones as John Clare "I am - yet what I am, none cares or knows" (John Clare) John Clare (1792-1864), farm labourer, had three obsessions: his youthful love for Mary Joyce, the countryside of his native Northamptonshire, and the need to celebrate both in his poetry. Clare cracked under the increasing strain of poverty and neglect, and spent the last 23 years of his life in Northampton General Lunatic Asylum. He imagined himself to be Lord Byron, a bigamist, and a prize-fighter; but the poems of his madness are perhaps the most remarkable he ever wrote. "Clare's asylum foretells our need for an asylum, his deprivation foretells our deprivation" (Geoffrey Grigson) Commentary spoken by Tony Church (from BBC Midlands) (David Jones and Patrick Stewart are members of the Royal Shakespeare Company; Tony Church appears by permission of the Northcott Theatre, Exeter)

John Clare: "I Am"

1970

Rentadick poster
4.2

Armitage runs a chemical company that is on the verge of producing a gas that causes temporary disability. Clearly the military want it but it is also sought by a group of Japanese. Both Armitage and Madam Greenfly hire different people in the same detective agency to guard the gas and steal it respectively... confusion, double crosses and hilarity ensue...

Rentadick

1972

Private Lives poster
6.8

Divorced couple Amanda and Elyot have both recently remarried. On their honeymoons, however, they discover that they have accidentally booked adjoining suites at the same hotel. Containing some of Coward's best dialogue, the play revolves around the agonising realisation that despite their ferocious incompatibility, they are still drawn to each other.

Private Lives

1976

1960s · 3 titles

Series credits

Wogan poster
5.6

Chat show hosted by Terry Wogan, featuring live studio interviews with famous and notable personalities.

Wogan

1982

The Avengers poster
7.8

A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominantly female partners. Jonathan Steed - an urbane, proper gentleman spy - teams with various assistants throughout the series' run, including Dr. David Keel, Cathy Gale, Emma Peel and Tara King, to repeatedly save the world from diabolical schemes plotted by equally diabolical evil-doers (among them robots and man-eating monsters).

The Avengers

1961

The Avengers poster
7.8

A quirky spy show of the adventures of eccentrically suave British Agent John Steed and his predominantly female partners. Jonathan Steed - an urbane, proper gentleman spy - teams with various assistants throughout the series' run, including Dr. David Keel, Cathy Gale, Emma Peel and Tara King, to repeatedly save the world from diabolical schemes plotted by equally diabolical evil-doers (among them robots and man-eating monsters).

The Avengers

1961

BBC Play of the Month poster
5.2

A BBC television anthology series featuring productions of classic and contemporary stage plays usually broadcast on BBC1. Each production featured a different work, often using prominent British stage actors in the leading roles. The series was transmitted from October 1965 to September 1983.

BBC Play of the Month

1965

ITV Playhouse poster
7.0

ITV Playhouse is a British comedy-drama TV series that ran from 1967 to 1983, which featured contributions from playwrights such as Dennis Potter, Rhys Adrian and Alan Sharp. The series began in black and white, but was later shot in colour and was produced by various companies for the ITV network, a format that would inspire Dramarama. Actors appearing in the series included Leslie Anderson, Gwen Nelson, Ricky Alleyne, Pat Heywood, Michael Elphick, Ian Hendry, Edward Woodward, Margaret Lockwood, Jessie Matthews and Lloyd Peters.

ITV Playhouse

1967

Death Comes to Pemberley poster
6.9

A British television drama based on P. D. James' novel of the same name, a murder mystery sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Six years after the union of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Lydia Wickham barges into Pemberley screaming that her husband has been murdered.

Death Comes to Pemberley

2013

Remembers… poster
7.5

What are the secrets of our favourite TV shows? Famous names from both sides of the camera reflect on making some of the most popular and influential programs of all time.

Remembers…

2022

The Good Life poster
7.7

Tom and Barbara Good escape the rat race and pursue a self-sufficient lifestyle in Surbiton, much to the concern, frustration and sometimes envy of their neighbours Margo and Jerry Leadbetter. Entitled ‘Good Neighbors’ when shown in the USA.

The Good Life

1975

The Pallisers poster
6.4

This sprawling BBC saga follows an aristocratic family through three generations of power, wealth, intrigue, and scandal in Victorian England. Based on Anthony Trollope’s “political” novels .

The Pallisers

1974

The Secret Show poster
8.7

Secret agents Anita Knight and Victor Volt protect the world from evildoers, who are primarily members of T.H.E.M. (The Horrible Evil Menace), headed by the ruthless Doctor Doctor. Backed by fellow U.Z.Z. staffers Professor Professor and Unit Commander Agent Ray Rocket, the pair works to keep the world safe. And in keeping everyone apprised of their progress, the agents always hijack "The Fluffy Bunny Show" -- much to the chagrin of Grandma and the pink bunnies who are supposed to star.

The Secret Show

2006

Boohbah poster
7.3

Boohbah is about five little sparkling atoms who love to dance. They encourage viewers at home to follow along.

Boohbah

2003

Tickle on the Tum poster
NR

Tickle On The Tum was a series of ten minute programmes for young children produced by Granada Television and aired on the ITV network from 1984 until 1988. The series was set in a shop in the fictional village of Tickle-on-the-Tum. The original presenters were folk-singer Ralph McTell, fresh from his stint on Granada's other children's series Alphabet Zoo and Danusia Harwood. From about the middle of the second series, Harwood was replaced by Jacqueline Reddin. In the final series, Reddin became the show's lead presenter and sang the theme song, after McTell returned to his recording career.

Tickle on the Tum

1984

To the Manor Born poster
7.0

Following the love-hate relationship between upper-class Audrey Forbes-Hamilton and Richard DeVere, the nouveau riche businessman who buys her manor house when she can no longer afford to keep it.

To the Manor Born

1979

Two's Company poster
7.3

Two's Company is a British television situation comedy series that ran from 1975-79. Produced by London Weekend Television for the ITV Network, the programme starred Elaine Stritch and Donald Sinden.

Two's Company

1975

No Job for a Lady poster
6.2

Jean Price is the newly elected, somewhat rebellious Labour MP for an inner-city constituency, and her life in the House of Commons. She's married to Geoff Price, a public defender and carer of many household chores so that Jean can pursue her new career. Jean balances her personal life with parliamentary duties, including 'women's issues', which Jean alternately fights for and is frustrated by, as other MPs think she cares about nothing else due to her gender. She often is surprised by others' duplicity and hypocrisy, holding them to a significantly higher standard.

No Job for a Lady

1990

Coming Home poster
NR

Alone and without her parents, Judith Dunbar spends her school days in a boarding school. When her friend Loveday invites her to Gut Nancherrow one day, it is love at first sight for Judith. The elegant lady of the house Diana, her husband Colonel Cary-Lewis and Loveday's siblings Edward and Athena immediately fall in love with her and treat her like family. But the outbreak of the Second World War put an end to the idyll on Nancherrow overnight. A long, thorny road lies ahead of Judith until she finally finds happiness in a family of her own...

Coming Home

1998

Executive Stress poster
6.2

Executive Stress is a British sitcom that aired on ITV from 1986 to 1988. Produced by Thames Television, it first aired on 20 October 1986. After three series, the last episode aired on 27 December 1988. Written by George Layton, Executive Stress stars Penelope Keith as Caroline Fairchild, a middle-aged woman who decides to go back to work. Her husband, Donald, is played by Geoffrey Palmer in the first series. However, Palmer was unable to return for the second series, so Peter Bowles played Donald in the last two series. Keith and Bowles had previously appeared in together in To the Manor Born.

Executive Stress

1986

Next of Kin poster
7.3

Andrew and Maggie Prentice have taken early retirement and plan to move to France, however when tragedy strikes they are left to care for their three grandchildren: Georgia, Jake and Michael and are going nowhere fast.

Next of Kin

1995

No artwork available
NR

This show was a series of six plays in which the hero of one was the villain in another, thus illustrating the good and bad sides of the characters.

Six Shades of Black

1965

No artwork available
8.0

Set in Chelsea, London, an agony aunt named Kate Graham works as a newspaper columnist where she gives advice to readers dealing with personal problems, but sometimes she can't help getting personally drawn towards the people that write to her.

Kate

1970

No artwork available
NR

Series of plays about the comic and tragic situations of people who rent a country cottage.

Cottage to Let

1977

Saving Country Houses with Penelope Keith poster
10.0

From cafes to craft fairs, glamping to ghosts, join Dame Penelope Keith as she meets the owners of Britain’s historic country houses struggling to keep their homes intact. Featured properties include Ashby Manor in Northamptonshire, Chillingham Castle in Northumberland, and Mapperton House in Dorset. As these estates turn to innovative ventures to stay afloat, Keith offers insight into the challenges of maintaining these grand homes in 2025. Will their creative solutions be enough to save their history?

Saving Country Houses with Penelope Keith

2026

No artwork available
NR

Wild, Wild Women was a British sitcom that aired on BBC from 1968 to 1969. Made in black-and-white, it starred Barbara Windsor and was written by Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney.

Wild, Wild Women

1968

Law and Disorder poster
7.2

Law and Disorder is a British sitcom that aired on ITV in 1994. Starring Penelope Keith, it was written by Alex Shearer, who had also written No Job for a Lady, which Keith appears in. It was directed and produced by John Howard Davies. Law and Disorder was made for the ITV network by Central and Thames Television.

Law and Disorder

1994

The Norman Conquests poster
6.3

The trilogy presents a comically fraught weekend from three different perspectives, as family and in laws gather at the decaying country home of their bedridden mother; the drink flows, and hidden enmities, intimate secrets and uncomfortable truths emerge through the veneer of jollity and civility.

The Norman Conquests

1977

No artwork available
6.7

Sweet Sixteen is a British sitcom that aired on BBC1 in 1983. It stars Penelope Keith and was written by Douglas Watkinson and directed and produced by Gareth Gwenlan.

Sweet Sixteen

—

Moving poster
8.5

Moving is a British sitcom that aired on ITV in 1985. It stars Penelope Keith and was written by Stanley Price. It was made for the ITV network by Thames Television.

Moving

1985

No artwork available
NR

Penelope Keith delves into the BBC's written archives.

BBC: The Secret Files

2015

Penelope Keith's Coastal Villages poster
NR

Penelope sets forth on a special journey exploring the UK's seaside villages

Penelope Keith's Coastal Villages

2017

The Manor Reborn poster
6.0

The Manor Reborn will see a team of historians, experts and volunteers reinterpreting 500-year-old Avebury Manor in Wiltshire and restoring it as an immersive experience.

The Manor Reborn

2011