Miriam Margolyes is a celebrated British-Australian actress renowned for her exceptional versatility across stage, film, and television. With a career spanning over five decades, she has become a beloved figure for her dynamic performances, distinctive voice, and unapologetic wit. Margolyes won widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Mrs. Mingott in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence (1993), earning a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. She is perhaps best known internationally for her portrayal of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films (2001–2011), a role that cemented her place in the hearts of millions.
Her career began in theatre, and she made her film debut in A Nice Girl Like Me (1969), before gaining significant roles in Yentl (1983), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Little Dorrit (1988), Immortal Beloved (1994), and Romeo + Juliet (1996). Margolyes’s voice work in animated films such as Babe (1995), James and the Giant Peach (1996), Mulan (1998), Happy Feet (2006), and Early Man (2018) also earned her critical acclaim.
On television, Margolyes has starred in an array of iconic series, from Blackadder (1983–1988) to Doctor Who (2023), with memorable roles in Call the Midwife (2018–2021) and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012–2015). She has been a prominent figure in documentaries, including Miriam’s Big American Adventure (2018), and her one-woman show, Dickens’ Women, which she performed from 1989 to 2012, showcased her extraordinary ability to inhabit multiple characters.
Margolyes’s stage career includes originating the role of Madame Morrible in Wicked (West End, 2006; Broadway, 2008), and her recent performances in The Lady in the Van (2019) and The Real Marigold Hotel (2016–2017) continue to highlight her unparalleled range and appeal.
A passionate political activist and writer, Margolyes has authored two memoirs, This Much is True (2021) and Oh Miriam! (2023), and remains a vocal advocate for human rights and social justice causes. In 2002, she was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama. Margolyes’s career is a testament to her profound impact on the entertainment industry and her commitment to speaking her truth, both on and off the screen.