Lesley Manville is a British actress who is best known for her fruitful collaborations with Mike Leigh, having appeared in films like "Grown-Ups" (1980), "High Hopes" (1988), "Secrets & Lies" (1996), "Topsy-Turvy" (1999), "All or Nothing" (2002), "Vera Drake" (2004), "Another Year" (2010), and "Mr. Turner" (2014). Additionally, she is famous for her roles in various other films and TV series, including "Dance with a Stranger" (1985), "A Christmas Carol" (2009), "Maleficent" (2014), "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" (2019), "Let Him Go" (2020), and "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris" (2022), as well as TV series like "Emmerdale" (1974–1976), "Cranford" (2007), "Fleming: The Man Who Would Be Bond" (2014), "River" (2015), and "Mum" (2016–2019). In the acclaimed television series "The Crown," she portrays Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, in its final two seasons. Throughout her career, Manville has graced the stage with memorable performances in plays like Andrea Dunbar's "Rita, Sue and Bob Too" (1981) and Caryl Churchill's "Top Girls" (1982) and "Serious Money" (1987), among others. Her remarkable contributions to drama and charity were recognized in the 2021 New Year Honours when she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Exploring Lesley Manville's Childhood and Family Life
Born on 12 March 1956 as Lesley Ann Manville, she hails from Brighton, East Sussex, England. Lesley holds British nationality and belongs to the British-White ethnicity. About her family, she is the daughter of her father, Ron Manville who works as a taxi driver, and her mother, Jean Manville who was formerly a ballet dancer. She spent her early childhood happily with her two elder sisters named Brenda and Diana. Lesley celebrated her 67th birthday in 2023.
Impressive in her talents from a young age, she received training as a soprano singer and became the twice under-18 champion of Sussex. Starting her acting journey as a teenager, she made appearances in TV series like "King Cinder." At the age of 15, she secured a place at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, setting the stage for her successful career in the performing arts.
Lesley Manville's Acting Success
- Lesley Manville's impressive career journey includes her professional stage debut in the 1972 West End musical "I and Albert" directed by John Schlesinger.
- She earned her first flat by participating in 80 episodes of the ITV soap opera "Emmerdale Farm" (1974–76). Throughout the 1980s, she showcased her talent for the Royal Court, starring in plays like Andrea Dunbar's "Rita, Sue and Bob Too" (1981), Caryl Churchill's "Top Girls" (1982), and "Serious Money" (1987).
- She also performed for the RSC in productions like "As You Like It" (1985) and "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" (1985–86).
- Her film debut came in 1985 with "Dance with a Stranger," directed by Mike Newell, followed by appearances in "Sammy and Rosie Get Laid" (1987) and "High Season" (1987).
- Returning to the stage, she starred in "The Cherry Orchard" at the Aldwych Theatre in 1989, directed by Sam Mendes, and "Three Sisters" at the Royal Court in 1990.
- Her television work includes roles in series such as "Ain't Misbehavin'" (1994), "Holding On" (1997), "Real Women" (1998–99), "The Cazalets" (2001), "North & South" (2004), and "Cranford" (2007).
- She garnered acclaim for her performances in the miniseries "Other People's Children" (2000) and the TV film "Bodily Harm" (2002), receiving nominations for Best Female Actor at the Royal Television Society Awards.
- Among her extensive television credits, she also appeared in "Coronation Street" in 1982 as Jill Mason in two episodes.
- She next starred in "Cards on the Table," a feature-length episode of "Agatha Christie's Poirot" in 2006.
- Since 2005, she has been part of various National Theatre productions, such as "His Dark Materials" (2005), "The Alchemist" (2006), and "Her Naked Skin" (2008).
- She also had roles in The Old Vic productions of "All About My Mother" (2007) and "Six Degrees of Separation" (2010). In 2009, she portrayed Margaret Thatcher in the Channel 4 drama "The Queen."
- Lesley is known for her collaborations with Mike Leigh, appearing in films like "High Hopes" (1988), "Secrets & Lies" (1996), "Topsy-Turvy" (1999), "Vera Drake" (2004), and "Mr. Turner" (2014). Notably, she starred in Mike Leigh's films "All or Nothing" (2002) and "Another Year" (2010).
- Her acclaimed role as Helene Alving in the 2013 revival of Ibsen's "Ghosts" earned her the 2014 Olivier Award and the Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Actress. Lesley's diverse repertoire includes appearances in "Romeo and Juliet" (2013) and "Maleficent" (2014).
- She also starred in BBC productions like "River" (2015) opposite Stellan Skarsgård, the sitcom "Mum" (2016) alongside Peter Mullan, and the BBC series "Harlots" (2017) as Lydia Quigley.
- Her performances in "Phantom Thread" (2017) and "Let Him Go" (2020) showcased her versatility as an actress. In 2022, she starred in "Magpie Murders" and portrayed the titular character in "Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris."
- She also played the main role of Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in "The Crown" (Seasons 5–6) (2022-Present).
- In 2022, she appeared in "Dangerous Liaisons" as Genevieve de Merteuil, and portrayed the role of Dahlia Archer in "Citadel" in 2023. Likewise, she appeared in "Who Do You Think You Are?" in an episode exploring her ancestry.
- Her upcoming projects include the Amy Winehouse biopic "Back to Black," where she will play Winehouse's grandmother Cynthia Winehouse, and the film "Queer."
Lesley Manville Awards & Nominations
2001: Topsy-Turvy
- Nominated for London Film Critics Circle Award for Best British Supporting Actress.
2003: All or Nothing
- Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actress.
- London Film Critics Circle Award for Best British Actress of the Year.
2011: Another Year
- London Film Critics Circle Award for Best British Actress of the Year.
- National Board of Review Award for Best Actress.
- 3rd place in the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress.
- San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso Award.
- Nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
- Nominated for BIFA Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Nominated for Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress.
- Nominated for European Film Award for Best Actress.
- Nominated for San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Ensemble Performance.
2016: River
- Nominated for British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2017: Mum
- Nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance.
2018: Phantom Thread
- London Film Critics' Circle Award for Supporting Actress of the Year.
- Nominated for Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
- Nominated for Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Nominated for National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Nominated for Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Nominated for San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- Nominated for Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2019: Mum
- Royal Television Society Award for Comedy Performance (Female).
- Nominated for British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance.
2023: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
- Nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.
2023: The Crown
- Nominated for SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
2023: Sherwood
- Nominated for British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Lesley Manville's Marital Journey: Two Marriages and Divorces
Lesley Manville has experienced two marriages and subsequent divorces, but currently, she leads a contented single life free of disturbances. In 2007, she resided with her son, Alfie, in East Grinstead, West Sussex, and she continues to relish her present life without disruptions. Lesley identifies as straight in terms of her sexual orientation. Her first marriage was with actor Gary Oldman in 1987, but they split just three months after their son, Alfie, was born in 1988, leading to their divorce in 1990. Her second marriage was to actor Joe Dixon in 2000, which also ended in divorce in 2003. In her past, she had dated actor Peter Duncan, whom she met at stage school while attending Italia Conti.
Lesley Manville's Net Worth Overview
Lesley Manville, a highly accomplished actress with a career spanning from 1972 to the present, has achieved success in various movies and TV series. As of 2023, her estimated net worth stands at $5 million, primarily earned from her endeavors in the entertainment industry. With an annual salary of approximately $1 million, Lesley began her journey as a theater actress before establishing herself in numerous notable films and television shows, notably collaborating with director Mike Leigh. Her substantial earnings afford her a luxurious lifestyle, and she expresses contentment with her achievements in the industry.
Lesley Manville: Eyes, Height, and Weight
Lesley Manville, a stunning actress, boasts a slim body type and stands at a height of 1.57 m (5 feet and 2 inches). With a body weight of approximately 132 lbs (60 kg), she maintains a healthy lifestyle and is particularly mindful of her food intake. Her captivating hazel eyes and dark brown hair add to her charm. As of now, Lesley Manville enjoys a healthy and fit physique, showcasing her dedication to maintaining her well-being.
