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Siân Phillips

Actress | Soundtrack

Born in Wales in 1934, veteran stage actress Sian Phillips is forever identified on TV as the tarantula mommy/empress "Livia" in the classic BBC series, I, Claudius, and in the movie, Dune, as the "Reverend Mother". Her broad range of roles went from endearing to downright deadly. Sian... See full bio »

Born:

Jane Elizabeth Ailwen Phillips
in Bettws, Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK
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Still of Fairuza Balk and Siân Phillips in Valmont
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Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideActress (94 titles)
2011 Bella Fleace Gave a Party (short) (completed)
Bella
 
2011 Inspector Lewis (TV series)
Adele Goffe
– Wild Justice (2011) … Adele Goffe
 
2010 New Tricks (TV series)
Lady Elizabeth Linden Warner
– Coming Out Ball (2010) … Lady Elizabeth Linden Warner (as Sian Phillips)
 
2010 Missing (TV series)
Beth Murphy
– Episode #2.7 (2010) … Beth Murphy (as Sian Phillips)
 
2008 Shortland Street (TV series)
Vivienne Lindstrom
– Episode #17.217 (2008) … Vivienne Lindstrom
– Episode #17.216 (2008) … Vivienne Lindstrom
 
2008 Agatha Christie's Poirot (TV series)
Mrs Upward
– Mrs McGinty's Dead (2008) … Mrs Upward
 
2007 Holby City (TV series)
Lily Sinclair
– Something's Gotta Give (2007) … Lily Sinclair
 
2007 Kitchen (TV movie)
Morag White
 
2006 The Gigolos
Baroness James
 
2006 Midsomer Murders (TV series)
Lady Annabel Butler
– Vixen's Run (2006) … Lady Annabel Butler (as Sian Phillips)
 
2004 The Murder Room (TV movie)
Marie Strickland
 
2003 The Last Detective (TV series)
Vera Dulciman
– Moonlight (2003) … Vera Dulciman
 
2001 Ballykissangel (TV series)
Consuela Dunphy
– Getting Better All the Time (2001) … Consuela Dunphy
 
2001/I Attila (TV movie)
Grandmother
 
1998-2000 La Femme Nikita (TV series)
Adrian
– Into the Looking Glass (2000) … Adrian (as Sian Phillips)
– View of the Garden (2000) … Adrian (as Sian Phillips)
– There Are No Missions (2000) … Adrian (as Sian Phillips)
– End Game (1998) … Adrian
– Adrian's Garden (1998) … Adrian
 
2000/II Cinderella (TV movie)
The Evil Baroness
 
2000 Come and Go (TV short)
Ru (as Sian Phillips)
 
2000 The Magician's House II (TV short)
Meg Lewis
 
1999 The Magician's House (TV series short)
Meg Lewis
 
1999 Aristocrats (TV mini-series)
Narrator / Older Lady Emily
– Episode #1.6 (1999) … Narrator/Older Lady Emily
– Episode #1.5 (1999) … Narrator/Older Lady Emily
– Episode #1.4 (1999) … Narrator/Older Lady Emily
– Episode #1.3 (1999) … Narrator/Older Lady Emily
– Episode #1.2 (1999) … Narrator/Older Lady Emily
See all 6 episodes »
 
1998 Alice Through the Looking Glass (TV movie)
Red Queen (as Sian Phillips)
 
1998 The Scold's Bridle (TV movie)
Mathilda Gillespie
 
1997 House of America
Mam
 
1997 Network First: Victoria and Albert (TV mini-series)
Narrator
– He Influenced Me in Everything (1997) … Narrator
– A Queen Alone (1997) … Narrator
 
1997 Ivanhoe (TV mini-series)
Queen Eleanor
– Part Six (1997) … Queen Eleanor
– Part Five (1997) … Queen Eleanor
 
1995 The Vacillations of Poppy Carew (TV movie)
Calypso
 
1995 A Mind to Kill (TV series)
Rachel Hardcastle
– Rachel Hardcastle (1995) … Rachel Hardcastle
 
1994 The Mousehole Cat (TV short)
Narrator
 
1993 The Return of the Borrowers (TV series)
Mrs. Driver
 
1993 Scene (TV series)
Judge
– Pig Boy (1993) … Judge (voice)
 
1993 The Age of Innocence
Mrs. Archer
 
1993 Heidi (TV movie)
Frau Sesemann
 
1992 The Borrowers (TV series)
Mrs. Driver
 
1992 Covington Cross (TV series)
Lady Isabel
– The Trial … Lady Isabel
 
1991 The Chestnut Soldier (TV mini-series)
Nain
– Out of the Forest (1991) … Nain
– Fiery Dreams (1991) … Nain
– Broken Horses (1991) … Nain
– A Prince Returns (1991) … Nain
 
1991 Tonight at 8.30 (TV series)
Barbara Faber / Clare Wedderburn / Olive Lloyd-Ransome
– Ways and Means (1991) … Olive Lloyd-Ransome
– The Astonished Heart (1991) … Barbara Faber
– Hands Across the Sea (1991) … Clare Wedderburn
 
1991 Perfect Scoundrels (TV series)
Mother Aloysius
– Ah, the Sisters of Mercy (1991) … Mother Aloysius
 
1991 The Black Candle (TV movie)
Daisy Barnett
 
1990 Freddie and Max (TV series)
Ursula Blythe
– Episode #1.6 (1990) … Ursula Blythe
 
1990 Emlyn's Moon (TV mini-series)
Nain
– Orchard of the Moon (1990) … Nain
– The Wrong Reflection (1990) … Nain
– Cold Flowers (1990) … Nain
– A Fight (1990) … Nain
– The Move (1990) … Nain
 
1990 Dark River (TV movie)
Mrs. Blessington
 
1989 Valmont
Madame de Volanges (as Sian Phillips)
 
1989 Shadow of the Noose (TV mini-series)
Lady Scott
– Noblesse Oblige (1989) … Lady Scott
 
1988 David Macaulay: Pyramid (TV movie)
Mersyankh (voice)
 
1988 The Snow Spider (TV mini-series)
Nain Griffiths
 
1987 Vanity Fair (TV series)
Miss Matilda Crawley
– Widow and Mother (1987) … Miss Matilda Crawley
– A Marriage and Part of a Honeymoon (1987) … Miss Matilda Crawley
– Who Played on the Piano? (1987) … Miss Matilda Crawley
– Arcadian Simplicity (1987) … Miss Matilda Crawley
 
1987 A Killing on the Exchange (TV mini-series)
Isobel Makepeace
 
1987 The Two Mrs. Grenvilles (TV movie)
Duchess of Windsor
 
1985 Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (TV movie)
Charal
 
1985 The Doctor and the Devils
Annabella Rock
 
1984 Dune
Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam (as Sian Phillips)
 
1984 A Painful Case (TV movie)
Emily Sinico
 
1982 Smiley's People (TV mini-series)
Lady Ann Smiley
– Episode #1.5 (1982) … Lady Ann Smiley
 
1981-1982 Barriers (TV series)
Mrs Dalgleish
– Episode #2.6 (1982) … Mrs Dalgleish
– Episode #1.11 (1981) … Mrs Dalgleish
 
1982 How Many Miles to Babylon? (TV movie)
Mrs. Alicia Moore
 
1981 Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years (TV mini-series)
Clementine Churchill
– Politics Are Foul (1981) … Clementine Churchill
– A Menace in the House … Clementine Churchill
– Down and Out … Clementine Churchill
– His Own Funeral … Clementine Churchill
– In High Places … Clementine Churchill
See all 8 episodes »
 
1981 Clash of the Titans
Cassiopeia
 
1980 Hammer House of Horror (TV series)
Mrs. Henska
– Carpathian Eagle (1980) … Mrs. Henska
 
1980 Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)
Hermione
– Back for Christmas (1980) … Hermione
 
1980 Nijinsky
Lady Ripon
 
1979 Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (TV mini-series)
Ann Smiley
– Flushing Out the Mole (1979) … Ann Smiley
 
1979 Crime and Punishment (TV mini-series)
Katerina Ivanovna
– Part 3 (1979) … Katerina Ivanovna
– Part 2 (1979) … Katerina Ivanovna
– Part 1 (1979) … Katerina Ivanovna
 
1979 Oresteia (TV mini-series)
Leader of the Furies
– Furies (1979) … Leader of the Furies
 
1978 Off to Philadelphia in the Morning (TV movie)
Lina Van Elyn
 
1978 Warrior Queen (TV series)
Queen Boudicca
– Episode #1.6 (1978) … Queen Boudicca
– Episode #1.5 (1978) … Queen Boudicca
– Episode #1.4 (1978) … Queen Boudicca
– Episode #1.3 (1978) … Queen Boudicca
– Episode #1.2 (1978) … Queen Boudicca
See all 6 episodes »
 
1971-1977 BBC Play of the Month (TV series)
Anna Voinitseva, widow / Hesione Hushabye / The Duchesse of Berwich
– Heartbreak House (1977) … Hesione Hushabye
– Lady Windermere's Fan (1972) … The Duchesse of Berwich
– Platonov (1971) … Anna Voinitseva, widow
 
1977 BBC2 Playhouse (TV series)
Janet Achurch
– The Achurch Letters (1977) … Janet Achurch
 
1976 I, Claudius (TV mini-series)
Livia
– Old King Log (1976) … Livia
– Queen of Heaven (1976) … Livia
– Some Justice (1976) … Livia
– Poison Is Queen (1976) … Livia
– What Shall We Do About Claudius? (1976) … Livia
See all 7 episodes »
 
1975-1976 How Green Was My Valley (TV mini-series)
Beth Morgan
– Episode #1.6 (1976) … Beth Morgan
– Episode #1.5 (1976) … Beth Morgan
– Episode #1.4 (1976) … Beth Morgan
– Episode #1.3 (1976) … Beth Morgan
– Episode #1.2 (1976) … Beth Morgan
See all 6 episodes »
 
1975 The Puritan Experience: Forsaking England (short)
 
1974 Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill (TV mini-series)
Mrs. Patrick Campbell
– His Borrowed Plumes (1974) … Mrs. Patrick Campbell
 
1974 Shoulder to Shoulder (TV mini-series)
Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst
– Sylvia Pankhurst (1974) … Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst
– Outrage (1974) … Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst
– Christabel Pankhurst (1974) … Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst
– Lady Constance Lytton (1974) … Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst
– Annie Kenney (1974) … Mrs. Emmeline Pankhurst
See all 6 episodes »
 
1972 ITV Saturday Night Theatre (TV series)
Sally Stirling
– Sharing the Honours (1972) … Sally Stirling
 
1972 The Man Outside (TV series)
Sarah Pelow
– Intruders (1972) … Sarah Pelow
 
1972 Under Milk Wood
Mrs. Ogmore-Pritchard
 
1971 Murphy's War
Hayden (as Sian Phillips)
 
1970 W. Somerset Maugham (TV series)
Martha Jones
– The Vessel of Wrath (1970) … Martha Jones
 
1969 Goodbye, Mr. Chips
Ursula Mossbank
 
1969 ITV Playhouse (TV series)
Mary
– Beast in the Jungle (1969) … Mary
 
1969 Laughter in the Dark
Lady Elizabeth More
 
1968 The Sex Game (TV series)
– Women Can Be Monsters (1968)
 
1968 Half Hour Story (TV series)
– Thief (1968)
 
1968 City 68' (TV series)
Jo
– It's Dearer After Midnight (1968) … Jo
 
1966 Eh, Joe? (TV movie)
 
1965 Young Cassidy
Ella
 
1959-1964 ITV Play of the Week (TV series)
Dona Ana / Kate Grant
– The Other Man (1964) … Kate Grant
– Don Juan in Hell (1962) … Dona Ana
– Garden of Loneliness (1959)
 
1964 Espionage (TV series)
Anna
– A Free Agent (1964) … Anna
 
1964 Becket
Gwendolen (as Sian Phillips)
 
1963 It Happened Like This (TV series)
Paula
– Coincidence (1963) … Paula
 
1962 The Longest Day
WREN (uncredited)
 
1961 Armchair Theatre (TV series)
– Strangers in the Room (1961)
 
1959 BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV series)
Countess Else von Dietlof
– Treason (1959) … Countess Else von Dietlof
 
1959 A Quiet Man (TV movie)
Megan
 
1958 Granite (TV movie)
Judith
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (1 title)
2000/II Cinderella (TV movie) (performer: "Finale")
 
Show ShowSelf (30 titles)
2012 Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (documentary) (in production)
Herself
 
2008-2012 Welsh Greats (TV series documentary)
Herself - Narrator / Herself / Herself - Presenter / …
– Margaret John (2012) … Herself - Narrator (voice)
– Ryan Davies (2012) … Herself - Narrator (voice)
– Ivor Novello (2010) … Herself - Narrator (voice)
– Stanley Baker (2010) … Herself
– Rachel Roberts (2008) … Herself - Presenter/Narrator
 
2007-2009 Loose Women (TV series)
Herself
– Episode #14.11 (2009) … Herself
– Episode #12.49 (2007) … Herself
 
2009 This Morning (TV series)
Herself
– Episode dated 14 April 2009 (2009) … Herself
 
2009 The Alan Titchmarsh Show (TV series)
Herself
– Episode dated 30 January 2009 (2009) … Herself
 
2007 Togas on TV (TV documentary)
Herself
 
2007 The 50 Greatest Television Dramas (TV documentary)
Herself
 
2006 Deleted 'Dune' (video documentary short)
Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam (uncredited)
 
2005 Drama Connections (TV series documentary)
Herself
– I, Claudius (2005) … Herself (as Sian Phillips)
 
2005 The Guernica Children (documentary short)
Narrator
 
2005 Breakfast (TV series)
Herself
– Episode dated 13 June 2005 (2005) … Herself
 
2004 Happy Birthday BBC Two (TV documentary)
Herself (as Sian Phillips)
 
2003 Arena (TV series documentary)
Narrator
– Alec Guinness: A Secret Man (2003) … Narrator (voice)
 
2003 Dal: Yma/Nawr (documentary)
 
2003 The Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2003 (TV documentary)
Herself
 
2003 Stalin: Inside the Terror (TV documentary)
Narrator
 
2002 I Claudius: A Television Epic (video documentary)
Herself
 
2001 Blankety Blank (TV series)
Herself
– Episode #17.15 (2001) … Herself
– Episode #17.9 (2001) … Herself
 
2000 Ruby (TV series)
Herself
– Episode #4.3 (2000) … Herself
 
1999 The Making of 'Aristocrats' (TV documentary short)
Herself
 
1997 The Works (TV series documentary)
Herself - Narrator
– Bloodties (1997) … Herself - Narrator
 
1997 The Laurence Olivier Awards 1997 (TV movie)
Herself
 
1993 The Sherman Plays (TV series)
Herself - Introduction
– Sailing to America (1993) … Herself - Introduction
– Green Favours (1993) … Herself - Introduction
 
1990 Red Empire (TV mini-series documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
1989 I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing (TV series)
Herself
 
1988 The South Bank Show (TV series documentary)
– Under Milk Wood (1988)
 
1982 Friday Night, Saturday Morning (TV series)
Herself
– Episode #6.6 (1982) … Herself
 
1981 The Theatre Quiz (TV series)
Herself - Panellist
– Episode #1.5 (1981) … Herself - Panellist
 
1980 Call My Bluff (TV series)
Herself
– Episode dated 10 July 1980 (1980) … Herself
– Episode dated 3 July 1980 (1980) … Herself
 
1964 The Other World of Winston Churchill (TV documentary)
Lady Lavery
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (1 title)
2003 Check the Gate: Putting Beckett on Film (video documentary)
From "Come and Go"
 

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Personal Details

Other Works:

She is featured doing a spoken-word rendition in the song "Between My Legs" on Rufus Wainwright's "Release the Stars" album. See more »

Publicity Listings:

3 Print Biographies  | 1 Article  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Sian Phillips

Height:

5' 7½" (1.71 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

Upon receiving her C.B.E. in 2000, "I still have a very heavy schedule. I haven't been off the stage for the last seven years - and at weekends, I appear in cabaret." See more »

Trivia:

Although she played George Baker's mother in I, Claudius, she is actually 2 years his junior. See more »

Star Sign:

Taurus