Ursula Howells

Biography

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" 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.

Movies & TV Shows

1. Midsomer Murders (1997) — Lady Isabel Aubrey
2. Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965) — Mrs. Deirdre Biddulph (segment 1 "Werewolf")
3. Torture Garden (1967) — Miss Maxine Chambers (segment 3 "Mr. Steinway")
4. Lovejoy (1986) — Olive Nettleton
5. Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly (1970) — Mumsy
6. Miss Marple: A Murder Is Announced (1985) — Miss Blacklock
7. Heartbeat (1992) — Miriam Wakefield
8. Upstairs, Downstairs (1971) — Duchess of Buckminster
9. Crossplot (1969) — Maggi Thwaites
10. The Long Arm (1956) — Mrs. Elliot / Mrs. Gilson
11. Bergerac (1981) — Elizabeth Fouchet
12. Sherlock Holmes (1954)
13. A Rather English Marriage (1998) — Mary
14. The Weak and the Wicked (1954) — Pam Vickers
15. Account Rendered (1957) — Lucille Ainsworth
16. The Constant Husband (1955) — Ann
17. 80,000 Suspects (1963) — Joanna Duten
18. I Believe in You (1952) — Hon. Ursula
19. Fall of Eagles (1974) — Empress Maria Fyodorovna
20. Man in a Suitcase (1967)
21. Play for Today (1970) — Sarah Chandler
22. Assignment K (1968) — Estelle
23. Father Dear Father (1973) — Barbara
24. Track the Man Down (1955) — Mary Dennis
25. Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965) — Ellen
26. They Can't Hang Me (1955) — Antonia Pitt
27. Jewels (1992) — The Duchess
28. Keep It Clean (1956) — Pat Anstey
29. The Cold Room (1984) — Headmistress
30. The Cazalets (2001)
31. Armchair Theatre (1956) — Margaret
32. The Barchester Chronicles (1982) — Miss Thorne
33. Father, Dear Father (1968) — Barbara
34. The Human Jungle (1963) — Julia Gray
35. The Sicilians (1963) — Mme. Perrault
36. Interpol Calling (1959) — Miki
37. No Hiding Place (1959)
38. Cousin Bette (1971) — Adeline Hulot
39. All Gas and Gaiters (1967) — Mrs Buckley
40. Hard Times (1977) — Mrs Gradgrind