Tamsin Greig will forever reign in my heart as Fran from modern-set Black Books, which was an early 2000s comedy about three friends, one of whom runs a bookshop, and is the source of about 90% of my quotes and references.
But since I’m not allowed to talk about modern-set TV here, let’s look at Greig’s increasingly historical resume!
Edith Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank (2009)
A BBC adaptation of the famed diary written by an early-teens Dutch Jewish girl hiding with her family during World War II. Edith is Anne’s mother.
Miss Bates in Emma (2009)
Yet another BBC adaptation of the Jane Austen novel, but this one was pretty good! Greig gives us a sad but appropriately dithery Miss Bates, the spinster neighbor.
Anne Trenchard in Belgravia (2020)
I was impressed to see a mature woman playing the lead in this 1840s-set, Julian Fellowes-helmed TV miniseries. Season 2 is coming, but it’s going to be set a few decades forward, so no Greig.
Mrs. Wickens in The Amazing Mr. Blunden (2021)
A remake of a 1972 film, which adapted a 1969 novel called “The Ghosts.” Two children travel back in time to 1821 to help take care of a perhaps-haunted house.
Helen Gwinear in The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin (2024)
Greig plays a crime boss in this 1730s-set comedy.
What’s your favorite of Tamsin Greig’s historical roles?
‘Black Books!’
I think re-watch is in order.
Don’t forget how brilliant she is in Green Wing too. And Episodes. Sadly her Malvolia (sic) on NTLive is in modernish dress, so it doesn’t count either. (But it’s Shakespeare!
I think her Miss Bates was excellent – so well-meaning and out of her depth.
The image from “The Amazing Mr. Blunden” has Mark Gatiss in amazing specs. I could not find a MCM on him at this site. Is my search ability not up to it? Otherwise, post haste, please, do one. You have this production, his portrayal of the Oxford Don ghost story writer M.R. James, Prinny, Lucia and Mapp, many more, and then killing it as Robert Cecil in Mary & George.
No you’re right, I noticed the same thing too! And will fix it very soon :)
I love Mrs. Wickens’ whole-hearted commitment to the chatelaine!
She’s an actress that I’d seen here and there over several productions and recognized with “I know her from somewhere…” But I really took note of her while watching Belgravia. She’s a talented actress and attractive. I’ve seen one or two of the contemporary bookshop series mentioned earlier, and always thought, “I’ll have to look that up some day.” I think due to this post “some day” has arrived. Also, I still haven’t see the Romola Garai “Emma” and I think I need to watch that one soon, too. Good WCW choice!
She was also terrific as Beatrice in a 1950s-set “Much Ado” for the RSC!