Imelda Staunton’s Notable Roles: See Her In ‘The Crown’, ‘Downton Abbey’, ‘Harry Potter’, & More

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January 10, 2022 9:34PM EST

Imelda Staunton is a legend of stage and screen who has enchanted audiences of all ages. Check out some of her more memorable roles through the years!

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Imelda Staunton’s Notable Roles: See Her In ‘The Crown’, ‘Downton Abbey’, ‘Harry Potter’, & More

Imelda Staunton’s Notable Roles: See Her In ‘The Crown’, ‘Downton Abbey’, ‘Harry Potter’, & More
Alex Bailey

Imelda Staunton is a legend of stage and screen who has enchanted audiences of all ages. The English talent trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before starring in West End productions of musicals like ‘Into the Woods’, ‘Sweeney Todd’, and ‘Gypsy’, earning her 4 Laurence Olivier Awards for theater acting.

Imelda became a master of the period piece on screen, appearing in Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, Ang Lee’s adaptation of ‘Sense And ‘Sensibility, and the series ‘Downton Abbey’. Proving her range, she showcased her physical comedy skills in the children’s movie ‘Nanny McPhee’. She also made ‘Harry Potter’ fans’ skin crawl as Dolores Umbridge in ‘The Order of the Phoenix’, and is set to star in Netflix’s ‘The Crown’ in 2022.

Imelda Staunton looks regal as Queen Elizabeth II in stills from the 5th season of ‘The Crown’. 

Imelda Staunton has played some memorable parts. Click through the gallery to see her star in ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Nanny McPhee’, and more.

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Imelda Staunton In ‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’

Imelda Staunton In ‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton is pretty in pink as she plays the devious Dolores Umbridge in 2007’s ‘Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix’. Contrary to her cheery appearance, the witch is a cruel woman with a taste for dark magic.

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Imelda Staunton In ‘Downton Abbey’

Imelda Staunton In ‘Downton Abbey’
Jaap Buitendijk / © Focus Features / courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton looks prim and proper as Maud Bagshaw in the 2019 ‘Downton Abbey’ film. Her character was a new addition, not seen in the series.

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Imelda Staunton In ‘Flesh And Blood’

Imelda Staunton In ‘Flesh And Blood’
©PBS/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton looks serious in the British dramatic miniseries ‘Flesh And Blood’. The still is from season 1, ep. 2 and aired in the US on Oct. 11, 2020.

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Juno Temple, Imelda Staunton, & Lesley Manville In ‘Maleficent’

Juno Temple, Imelda Staunton, & Lesley Manville In ‘Maleficent’
©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton stands center while flanked by Juno Temple (left) and Lesley Manville (right) in  2014’s Maleficent. The ladies play a trio of pixies in the Angelina Jolie movie.

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Imelda Staunton In ‘Finding Your Feet’

Imelda Staunton In ‘Finding Your Feet’
©Roadside Attractions/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton chats with Timothy Spall in 2017’s ‘Finding Your Feet’. The film is about a woman trying to figure out life in the wake of finding out her husband had an affair.

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Imelda Staunton, Demetri Martin, & Jonathan Groff In ‘Taking Woodstock’

Imelda Staunton, Demetri Martin, & Jonathan Groff In ‘Taking Woodstock’
©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton leads Demetri Martin (center) and Jonathan Groff (right) in a scene from 2009’s ‘Taking Woodstock’. The comedy-drama was inspired by the story of the iconic 60s music festival.

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Imelda Staunton In ‘How About You’

Imelda Staunton In ‘How About You’
©Strand Releasing/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton looks a bit roughed up in 2007’s ‘How About You’. The dark, Irish comedy is about a young woman named Ellie (played by Hayley Atwell) who is left in charge of the residential home run by her older sister during Christmas.

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Imelda Staunton Stars In ‘How About You’

Imelda Staunton Stars In ‘How About You’
©Strand Releasing/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton takes her tea in a scene from ‘How About You’. She plays spinster Hazel Nightengale in the movie.

January 7, 2022, 8:59AM
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Imelda Staunton In ‘Nanny McPhee’

Imelda Staunton In ‘Nanny McPhee’
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Col

Imelda Staunton supported Emma Thompson in the wacky British children’s comedy ‘Nanny McPhee’. She played the family cook, Mrs. Blatherwick, in the movie, which came out in 2005.

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Matthew Goode, Imelda Staunton, Russell Tovey, Tamzin Merchant, & Omid Dj In ‘My Family And Other Animals’

Matthew Goode, Imelda Staunton, Russell Tovey, Tamzin Merchant, & Omid Dj In ‘My Family And Other Animals’
©BBC/Courtesy Everett Collection

Matthew Goode, Imelda Staunton, Russell Tovey, Tamzin Merchant, and Omid Djalili (left to right) look serious in a scene from ‘My Family And Other Animals. The comedy-drama, based on the 1956 autobiographical book of the same title by Gerald Durrell, came out in 2005.

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Imelda Staunton In ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

Imelda Staunton In ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
©BBC/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton looks enchanting in a version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ produced for the show ‘ShakespeaRe-Told’ in 2005. She played Polly in the BBC One movie.

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Imelda Staunton In ‘Vera Drake’

Imelda Staunton In ‘Vera Drake’
©Fine Line Features/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton looks understated as the star of 2004’s ‘Vera Drake’. The British period piece is about a 1950s housekeeper who secretly helps women get rid of unwanted pregnancies.

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Imelda Staunton In ‘Crush’

Imelda Staunton In ‘Crush’
©Seventh Art Releasing/Courtesy Everett Collection

Imelda Staunton enjoys a glass of wine in a scene from 2001’s ‘Crush’. She played police superintendent Janine in the rom-com, which also featured Andie MacDowell, Anna Chancellor, and Kenny Doughty.

January 7, 2022, 8:54AM