Celia Imrie Movies

Merlin Ward's psychological thriller Out of Bounds stars Sofia Myles as Louise, a student at a boarding school. She is engaged in a sexual relationship with Matthew (George Asprey), the husband of her school's headmistress, Veronica (Sophie Ward). One day Matthew disappears. Louise sets about trying to figure out what happened to him, but she fears that she is either being framed by someone for murder and that her life may be in jeopardy. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Produced for British television, Daniel Deronda was adapted from George Eliot's final novel, written in 1874 (and first filmed in 1921). As was her habit, Eliot laid bare the hypocrisy and venality of Victorian-era "class culture," at the same time admitting that a certain amount of conformity was necessary if one hoped to survive in a world where nonconformity was not only looked down upon but actively suppressed. Essentially, both the novel and the TV presentation are comprised of two separate stories, linked together by the titular Daniel Deronda (Hugh Dancy), a young man of Jewish heritage. In the main narrative, Daniel is attracted to the spoiled, headstrong Gwendolen Harleth (Romola Garai), who is reluctantly poised to enter into a marriage of convenience with the wealthy, snobbish, and intensely anti-Semitic Henleigh Grancourt (Hugh Bonneville). This romantic intrigue is played against the curious relationship between Daniel and the Zionist visionary Mordecai (Daniel Evans), who tirelessly proselytizes in favor of a permanent homeland for the Jewish people. Things come to a head when Daniel finds himself falling in love with Mordecai's sister Mirah (Jodhi May). Originally telecast in three parts on the BBC beginning December 7, 2002, Daniel Deronda was re-edited as a two-parter for the PBS anthology Masterpiece Theatre, where it first aired on March 30, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A powerful ancient relic holds the key to ultimate destruction in director Stuart Urban's religious-flavored thriller Revelation. Since the crucifixion of Christ, the Loculus has eluded the grasp of the demonic Grand Master (Udo Kier), who seeks to find the artifact and learn its mysterious secrets in order to unlock its power to devastating results. As the Grand Master continues his quest for the Loculus, a billionaire mogul named Magnus Martel (Terence Stamp) enlists the reluctant aid of his computer expert son, Jake (James D'Arcy), and an alchemy student named Mira (Natasha Wightman) in finding the Loculus before the Grand Master completes his quest. Traveling the world in a race to save the soul of humankind, the trio attempts to unlock the centuries-old secrets of the Loculus, which may ultimately reveal the connection between science and religion as well as the salvation of the human race. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The first British TV version of Nancy Mitford's autobiographical novel Love in a Cold Climate was telecast in seven hour-long installments in 1980. This 2001 version attempted to crystallize Mitford's long and labyrinthine narrative into a mere 150 minutes, and for the most part it succeeded. Set during the period from 1929 to 1940, the story (which also incorporates elements of another Mitford novel, The Pursuit of Love) largely takes place in an English country estate presided over by Matthew Radlett (Alan Bates), for whom the word "eccentric" must have been coined. When she isn't being "hunted" by her zany uncle for sport, Matthew's niece Fanny (Rosamund Pike), who serves as narrator, looks on compassionately while her cousin Linda (Elisabeth Dermot-Walsh) and her friend Polly (Megan Dodds) desperately seek out worthwhile and decent husbands, only to be thwarted at every turn by deceitful, duplicitous, dissolute, disagreeable, and otherwise unsuitable young swains. First telecast by the BBC on February 4, 2001, Love in a Cold Climate was shown in America as a two-part installment of PBS's Masterpiece Theatre on February 11 and 18, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this made-for-TV period drama, Kevin Whately stars as David Bruce, who, in 1911, receives an important promotion at the gas company for which he works. Born and raised in a working-class family, David is proud to have risen to a more economically privileged status, and he and his wife move into a new home in Bedford Park, with David confirming their new status by hiring a maid for his wife. Jane (Emma Cunliffe), the family's new domestic, soon falls in love with David's son Harry (Jason Hughes), a medical student. Harry is equally attracted to Jane, but Jane insists they keep their romance a secret, as it could jeopardize her career with the Bruce family. After a gas explosion claims the life of a fellow employee, David soon finds himself out of favor at work, and the pressures to live up to his employer's expectations take a steep emotional toll on him. With his marriage falling apart, David becomes increasingly attracted to Jane, and in time he persuades her to have an affair with him, which she feels she is in no position to refuse. Racked with guilt over her betrayal of Harry, Jane is forced to break the news to David that she is with child; David responds with a plan to murder his sickly wife, while Harry is outraged to discover Jane isn't sure if the child was fathered by himself or his father. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The Groan family has led the people for years from their castle, Gormenghast. Although a new heir, Titus Groan, has just come into the world, a scheming kitchen boy, Steerpike, begins an elaborate attempt to take control. Surprisingly Steerpike faces his stiffest competition from the usually mild-mannered Titus, the Earl of Goran. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

The British series Wokenwell had something in common with the whimsical small-town saga Ballykissangel, albeit with a more bizarre and supernatural edge. The series took place in the tiny rural community mentioned in the title, with dramatic emphasis on Wokenwall's three chief law enforcers: PC Brian Rainford (Jason Done), PC Rudy Whiteside (Nicholas Gleaves), and Sgt. Duncan Bonney (Ian McElhinney). The trio was perennially baffled and flustered by the weird goings-on in the community, but the cops weren't anywhere near as perplexed as their long-suffering wives, respectively Fran Rainford (Nicola Stephenson), Lucky Whiteside (Lesley Dunlop), and June Bonney (Celia Imrie). The first of the six hour-long Wokenwell episodes was seen on May 18, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Based on author Ruth Rendell's novel of the same name, A Dark Adapted Eye follows the jealous and arguably insane path of the domineering Vera Hillyard (Celia Imrie), whose obsessive need to control her sons (the older is prone to demonstrating decidedly aggressive behavior, the younger may or may not be legitimate) and daughter plays a prominent role in her own undoing. Meanwhile, her manipulative sister, Eden (Sophie Ward), ultimately provokes Vera into what the community believes to be the deliberate murder of a child. Directed by Tim Fywell, the film also features Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Durr, Guy Witcher, and Robin Ellis. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

In this futuristic sci-fi political drama, the minerals of the moon are being exploited by both Russian and American mining companies. When a terrorist threatens an American mining company, a KGB agent teams up with a NASA investigator to stop them. The two agents are attracted to each other and this nearly derails their assignment. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This weekly British sketch-comedy series represented the first major TV vehicle for that irrepressible comedienne, monologist, playwright, and singer-pianist Victoria Wood. Regular features included Shakespearean versions of popular British television programs, and the ongoing soap opera lampoon "Acorn Antiques." Also in the cast were several of Wood's favorite supporting players, including Julie Walters, Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, and Susie Blake. Debuting January 11, 1985, Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV yielded 12 35-minute episodes and one 60-minute special before its final broadcast on December 18, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The fourth season of the British drama series Upstairs, Downstairs takes place during the war years of 1914 through 1918, a time of great anxiety and upheaval for England in general and the Bellamy household at 165 Eaton Place in particular. The season begins as Hazel Bellamy (Meg Wynn Owen), wife of James Bellamy (Simon Williams), agrees to take in a family of Belgian refugees. Not so politely inclined towards foreigners is the surprisingly emotional head butler Hudson (Gordon Jackson), whose anti-German hysteria all but tears the Bellamy's servant staff apart in the episode "The Beastly Hun" (for which actor Jackson won an Emmy). Maid Daisy (Jacqueline Tong) weds footman Edward (Christopher Beeny) just before he marches off to war; he will return a shellshocked shadow of his former self. Georgina (Leslie Anne-Down), the ward of James Bellamy's father Richard (David Langton), takes nursing training, while scullery maid Ruby (Jenny Tomasin), heretofore dismissed as a dimwit, demonstrates her patriotism and resilience by going to work at a munitions factory. Also, head maid Rose (Jean Marsh) is unexpectedly reunited with her erstwhile Australian sweetheart Gregory (Keith Barron), who is ultimately killed in battle. While James is serving his country in France, Hazel begins a platonic friendship with young airman Jack Dyson (Andrew Ray), and later agonizes when James is reported missing in action. The war comes home in spectacular fashion when 165 Eaton is damaged by a German bomb. And in the episode "Another Year", Hannah Gordon is introduced in the role of Virginia Hamilton, the widow of a Naval officer. The season finale is a riveting combination of happiness and heartbreak: Though seriously injured in the war, James manages to return to the arms of his wife Hazel--who, unfortunately, has become one of the victims of the deadly international influenza epidemic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide