Ursula Howells


Ursula Howells was an English actress whose elegant presence kept her much in demand for roles in film and television.

Life and career

Howells was born in London, the daughter of composer Herbert Howells, and was educated at St Paul's Girls' School, where her father worked as Director of Music. She made her first stage appearance at Dundee in 1939, in John Drinkwater's Bird in Hand, then moved to Oxford in 1942 and three years later made her London debut at the Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage. In 1947, she appeared in the comedy Jane at the Aldwych Theatre. After several years in the West End, and a brief stint on Broadway where she appeared in Springtime for Henry in 1951, she began to appear in films.
After the death of her father in 1983, Ursula Howells instigated the Herbert Howells Society in 1987, and became a standard bearer for the promotion of his work. She financially supported the recording of his compositions and did much to encourage the publishing and promotion of church music.
Howells died on 16 October 2005, aged 83.

Filmography

Film

Flesh and Blood - Harriet MarshallI Believe in You - Hon. UrsulaThe Oracle - PeggyThe Weak and the Wicked - Pam VickersThe Gilded Cage - Brenda LucasThe Constant Husband - 'The Wives' - AnnTrack the Man Down - Mary DennisThey Can't Hang Me - Antonia PittHandcuffs, London - Madelaine PerryKeep It Clean - Pat AnsteyThe Long Arm - Mrs. Elliot / Mrs. GilsonWest of Suez - EileenAccount Rendered - Lucille AinsworthTwo Letter Alibi - Louise Hilary80,000 Suspects - Joanna DutenThe Sicilians - Mme. PerraultDr Terror's House of Horrors - Mrs. Deirdre Biddulph Torture Garden - Miss Maxine Chambers Assignment K - EstelleCrossplot - Maggi ThwaitesMumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly - MumsyFather, Dear Father - BarbaraThe Tichborne Claimant - Lady Doughty

Television

Madhouse on Castle Street - Martha TompkinsDixon of Dock Green - Jean Baker EllisThe Forsyte Saga - FrancesMan in a Suitcase - Clara ArnoldsonFather, Dear Father - Barbara MossmanUpstairs, Downstairs - Duchess of BuckminsterCrown Court (TV series) - Audrey Taylor The Barchester Chronicles - Miss ThorneMiss Marple - A Murder is Announced - Miss BlacklockBergerac - Laura Atherton / Elizabeth FouchetCasualty - Erica Chisnall / HildaLovejoy - Olive NettletonUnder the Hammer - Mrs. RoperHeartbeat - Miriam WakefieldDangerfield - Violet TrevelynA Rather English Marriage - MaryThe Cazalets - Kitty CazaletMidsomer Murders- The Electric Vendetta - Lady Isabel Aubrey