More Drama

When we in WGBH’s Drama Club found out that we would be getting Flesh and Blood on Masterpiece, we were pretty darn excited. Not only does it dig deep into that juicy drama found between untimely deaths and sudden romance, but it also stars a ridiculously talented cast: Stephen Rea (Dickensian, Michael Collins), Claudie Blakley (Lark Rise to Candleford), Lydia Leonard (Last Christmas) and David Bamber (Pride and Prejudice). But while those factors got our attention, it was the two leads who truly got us invested: Imelda Staunton and Francesca Annis.

With two such accomplished women heading up the series, we knew we just had to dig into their amazing portfolios to re-live all the great moments. So let’s jump right in and look at some of the best roles of Francesca Annis.

Join us next week for ten facts about the inimitable Imelda Staunton!

A woman wearing a Victorian Gown sits in a high backed chair in a room filled with cobwebs. She knits, while a young man leans around her chair, speaking at her intensely.
BBC

Estella in Great Expectations
This 1967 episodic of the classic Dickensian story was certainly not the first telling of it — and not even the first BBC adaptation! We’re of course covering this version because it features an early-career Annis as an iconic Estella, but this version has more to its credit than just her lovely performance. Being told through a 10-episode arc allows the series to dive deeper into the story than your average film, and the show sees Annis joined by Maxine Audley as Ms. Havisham, Peter Vaughn as Mr. Jaggers, and Gary Bond as Pip. But it’s Annis’ turn as Estella that truly captured us. Not only do you lose your heart to her as surely as young Pip does, but you also resent the cold distance that she turns on the young man. An absolutely pitch perfect portrayal.

NOTE: The below video contains mild nudity.

Lady Macbeth in Macbeth
We often find separating the art from the artist difficult — in this case, it’s a question of how we can celebrate this 1971 retelling of Macbeth from the problematic past of its director, Roman Polanski. But there is one thing that we can indeed agree on about the film, and that’s Annis’ interpretation of Lady Macbeth. A character that is often played as a brutally ambitious woman is made all too human with Annis’ careful emulation. Girlish and happy, the Lady’s initiative seems here to only be a natural desire to get ahead in life, not a malevolent urge to watch the world burn. As such, when Lady Macbeth falls victim to her own ghosts, the delicacy of her nature doesn’t seem as farfetched as it often can. Joining Annis in the cast is a inspired Jon Finch as the titular character, and a scene-stealing Terence Bayler as Macduff.

Lady Jessica in Dune
There’s no point in fibbing: as sci-fi nerds, this is how we first became aware of Ms. Annis. While there have been many denigrations of David Lynch’s sci-fi epic over the years — especially now that we’re looking forward to the December 18th premiere of a new adaptation starring Timotheé Chalamet — this film still holds its place in our hearts as the first adaptation of the saga. Annis was the original Lady Jessica, and played the complex role to the hilt. Scheming, regal and fragile, Lady Jessica is the crux that the story hinges on… and Annis fulfills the role with a brooding intensity. Joining Francesca Annis is a veritable who’s who of eighties cinema: Kyle MacLachlan, Brad Dourif, Linda Hunt, Patrick Stewart, Max Von Sydow, Sean Young and Sting. Could it get any better? Yes, actually: joining them are Lynch long-timers Dean Stockwell and Jack Nance.

A woman, well dressed in 1940's fashion, stands on an empty country lane. She smiles at the camera.

Joyce Cameron in Home Fires
Rounding out our list is another Masterpiece series that we were delighted to see Francesca Annis in: the WWII drama Home Fires! As with many of the characters we see Annis taking on, her role in Home Fires is multi-dimensional, giving us a character that is at turns vicious and vulnerable. Domineering Joyce Cameron is the frenemy that we all love to hate. She achieves so much… and she’s not afraid to point out just how much that is! But of course, with Annis in the role, we’re allowed to see Joyce’s softer side —her marriage difficulties, her pain at becoming victim to insidious gossip, and her hunger for friendship. Joining Annis in this heart-warming series were actresses Clare Calbraith, Samantha Bond, and Fenella Woolgar.

Haven’t caught Home Fires yet? No problem! You can still watch the series on Passport. Want more of this absolutely astounding actress? Lucky for you, Cranford — another great role from Annis – is coming to Passport next month.