Caroline Lee-Johnson


Caroline Lee-Johnson is a British actress. She is best known for her starring roles in Chef! as Janice Blackstock and The Knock as Diane Ralston. Her work has been primarily in television, but she has also had roles in films, including The Defender. Lee-Johnson trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London.

Career performances

Selected TV programmes

YearTV ProgramRoleNotes
1988CampaignDee Vincent6 episodes
1993Chef!Janice BlackstockSeries 1–3
1994The KnockDiane Ralston37 episodes
1997The UninvitedSarah Armstrong3 episodes
2002Holby CityPatsy Brassvine9 episodes
2003Silent WitnessAlice Pettman2 episodes
2004Waking the DeadAssistant Commissioner Dyson2 episodes
2007The WhistleblowersBarbara Waters1 episode
2015HumansBrothel Madam3 episodes
2015From DarknessSuperintendent Lola Keir4 episodes
2021VeraDarlene Houghton1 episode
2021Midsomer MurdersJeanie Saint-Stephens1 episode
2022RidleyGill Moreland1 episode
2024RebusGill Templer6 episodes

Selected filmography

YearFilmRoleNotes
1993Monday’s GirlsLee-Johnson narratesEducational documentary explores a Nigerian female initiation ceremony from perspective of two young Waikiriki women from the Niger delta. Ngozi Onwurah, director.
1991Who Needs a HeartNaomiDocumentary inspired by 1960s black revolutionary leader Michael X
1997The SaintPrivate Hotel Receptionist
2004The DefenderMrs. Roberta Jones, National Security Agency headBritish-German action film
2005The Funny Blokes of British ComedySelfDocumentary

Selected theatre

YearPlayRoleTheatreNotes
1991MacbethLady MacbethPerformed at the Haworth Shakespeare Festival, Committed Artists Theatre Company, New York International Festival of the ArtsThe play was a modern-day adaptation based in South Africa. UK actor Patrick Miller recalled, "Caroline Lee Johnson was stunning as Lady M. She used to get a standing ovation after her first speech."
1990Joe Turner's Come and GoneMolly CunninghamTricycle Theatre, LondonUK premiere
1989IndigoPrince's bride-to-beAlmeida Theatre, LondonLee-Johnson performs with Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Dougray Scott and Brian Protheroe. Directed by Keith Boak.
1988The ChangelingJoanna's maidNational Theatre LondonArt critic Gabriele Annan wrote of the performance, "he sexiest and best-spoken performance comes from Caroline Lee Johnson as Joanna's black maid...".
1986Romeo and JulietLadyRoyal Shakespeare Company
1986The Winter's TalePlayed Dorcas, LadyRoyal Shakespeare Company