Beloved British actress Jean Marsh, who co-created and starred in the iconic period drama Upstairs, Downstairs, has died at the age of 90.
The Emmy-winning star passed away peacefully at her home in London on Sunday, her close friend, filmmaker Michael Lindsay-Hogg, confirmed.Â
The cause of death was reported as complications from dementia.
Jean, who was known for her striking features and commanding presence, rose to fame in the 1970s for her iconic portrayal of Rose Buck in the beloved ITV series set in Edwardian England. As the no-nonsense yet warm-hearted head parlour maid, she captured the hearts of audiences and became a household name.
“Upstairs, Downstairs” was a groundbreaking show that mesmerized viewers on both sides of the Atlantic. Originally airing in the UK from 1971 to 1975 and in the US from 1974 to 1977, the series amassed a large following and garnered widespread acclaim.
Jean’s performance as Rose was nothing short of remarkable, earning her a prestigious Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. This accolade was just one of seven Emmys that the show would go on to win, in addition to receiving a coveted Peabody Award for its excellence.
Beloved British actress Jean Marsh — who co-created and starred in the iconic period drama Upstairs, Downstairs — has died at the age of 90
The Emmy-winning star passed away peacefully at her home in London on Sunday, her close friend, filmmaker Michael Lindsay-Hogg, confirmed
Jean Marsh in Paris, France – 17 Nov 2010.
Born in Stoke Newington, north London, in 1934, Marsh began her career as a stage actress before making her name on television and film screens in the 1950s and ’60s.
Her career spanned over six decades, with appearances in everything from sci-fi classics to Hollywood films.
Before becoming a household name, she featured in several early episodes of Doctor Who, including the iconic 1965 serial The Daleks’ Master Plan, where she played space agent Sara Kingdom, one of the first truly empowered female characters in the series.Â
Her big-screen credits included roles in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy, and the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale.Â
She also starred in fantasy favourites like Return to Oz (1985) and Willow (1988), where she portrayed the evil Queen Bavmorda in a memorably menacing performance.
On television, Marsh was a familiar face in countless dramas, including The Twilight Zone, The Love Boat, The House of Eliott, and 9 to 5.Â
She also appeared in several Shakespearean adaptations and held her own opposite the likes of Laurence Olivier and Judi Dench.
Her big-screen credits included roles in Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy, and the 1967 James Bond spoof Casino Royale
But it was Upstairs, Downstairs — which she co-created alongside friend and fellow actress Eileen Atkins — that cemented her place in television history.
Marsh played the no-nonsense yet warm-hearted parlour maid Rose Buck in the Edwardian-set ITV drama, which aired from 1971 to 1975 and explored the complex relationship between the aristocratic Bellamy family and their servants.
The show became an international sensation, winning seven Emmy Awards, a BAFTA and a Peabody, with Marsh taking home the 1975 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — a rare accolade for a British performer at the time.
She reprised the role of Rose in the BBC’s 2010 revival of Upstairs, Downstairs, where she returned as the housekeeper, bridging the gap between old and new generations of fans.
Despite her fame, Marsh remained fiercely private. She had a brief marriage to actor Jon Pertwee, the Third Doctor in Doctor Who, in the 1950s, but the pair later divorced and remained friends.
Known for her intelligence, wit and elegance, Marsh was not only a talented actress but also a passionate advocate for women’s voices in the arts.Â
Marsh was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to drama.Â
