Joan Benham


Joan Benham was an English actress best known for her portrayal of Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series) characters#Lady Prudence Fairfax|Lady Prudence Fairfax] in the ITV period drama series Upstairs, Downstairs. She was born in London and was the first cousin of Hollywood actress Olive Sturgess.
Although her career mostly centred on television, Benham began her career appearing on the West End stage in the 1940s and continued to appear on the London stage periodically throughout her career. She appeared on Broadway as Helena in the 1954 revival of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream opposite Patrick Macnee as Demetrius.
Joan Benham appeared in sixteen episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs, from the first to the last series, as a Bellamy family friend, Lady Prudence Fairfax. Other London Weekend Television roles for her saw her appear as Lady Loftus in the comedies Doctor in the House, Doctor in Charge and Doctor on the Go and as Cecily Foyle, the friend of prison governor Faye Boswell, in the drama Within These Walls.
Other television programmes she appeared in include Mrs Thursday, Father Brown, The Duchess of Duke Street, Just William and Take My Wife. Her film credits include the Miss Marple movie Murder Ahoy!, Ladies Who Do, Perfect Friday and Carry On Emmannuelle.
Her last role was as Melinda Spry in the sitcom Terry and June. This episode, The Lawnmower, was broadcast on 13 November 1981, exactly five months after the day she had died, in Westminster, London, aged 63.

Selected filmography

The Divorce of Lady X – Wearing a blue gown with a large crystal necklace Maytime in Mayfair – Fashion Editor Saturday Island – NurseMother Riley Meets the Vampire – Lady at Police Station The [Pickwick Papers (1952 film)|The Pickwick Papers] – Innocents in Paris – Receptionist Dance, Little Lady – The Man Who Loved Redheads – ChloeKing's Rhapsody – Countess AstridChild in the House – Vera McNallyLoser Takes All – Miss Bullen Dry Rot – BlondeIt's Great to Be Young – Mr. Routledge's Companion A [Night to Remember (1958 film)|A Night to Remember] – Lottie The Whole Truth – Party GuestThe Heart of a Man – Grace The Crowning Touch – DaphneThe Bridal Path – BarmaidDesert Mice – Una O'TooleThe Grass Is Greener – Hairdresser's Receptionist I Thank a Fool – Restaurant ManagerThe V.I.P.s – Miss PotterTamahine – Mrs. O'ShaugnessyLadies Who Do – Miss PinsentMurder Ahoy! – Matron Alice FanbraidThe Wild Affair – AssistantThe Limbo Line – Lady FaradayArthur? Arthur! – Mrs. PayneThe Magic Christian – Socialite in Sotheby'sPerfect Friday – Miss WelshThe Tales of Beatrix Potter – NurseHardcore – Norma BlackhurstRosie Dixon – Night Nurse – Sister TutorThe Greek Tycoon – Lady AllisonCarry On Emmannuelle – Cynical Lady