Bernadette O'Farrell


Bernadette Mary O'Farrell was an Irish actress in film and television, best known for playing Maid Marian in the 1950s.

Early years

O'Farrell was born in Birr, County Offaly, Irish Free State. Her mother was an amateur actress, and her father managed a bank. She attended a convent school, and worked as a secretary as a young woman.

Career

O'Farrell broke into film work in her twenties, after being introduced to English director Carol Reed. She is best known for playing Maid Marian in the 1950s British television adaptation of The Adventures of Robin Hood, co-starring Donald Pleasence, Paul Eddington, Richard O'Sullivan, and Richard Greene. It was one of the first British television productions to find an audience in North America, and O'Farrell and Greene made a publicity tour in the United States in 1956, to support the show. She left the show in 1957, after 78 episodes, to avoid type-casting, and was replaced by Patricia Driscoll.
She played an English school mistress, Miss Harper, in The Happiest Days of Your Life, Jessie Bond in The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan and Peg Curtis in the boxing film The Square Ring.
She retired from acting in 1959 to live on a farm in Buckinghamshire, England. Later, O'Farrell and Launder moved to Monaco. Her last film appearance was in The Wildcats of St. Trinian's.

Personal life

After appearing in his production of The Happiest Days of Your Life, O'Farrell married the film writer, director and producer Frank Launder in 1950. He died in 1997. They had two daughters together, Georgina and Aisling. O'Farrell died in 1999, at the age of 75, in Monaco.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1947Captain BoycottMrs. Fagan
1950The Happiest Days of Your LifeMiss Harper
1951Life in Her HandsMary Gordon
1951Lady Godiva Rides AgainJanie
1952Lady in the FogHeather McMara
1953The Story of Gilbert and SullivanJessie Bond
1953The Genie
1953The Square RingPeg Curtis
1959The Bridal PathSiona
1980The Wildcats of St TriniansMiss Carfax