Miriam Margolyes is a globally renowned actress, best known for her roles in the Harry Potter films as well as a wide range of other movies and TV projects throughout her career.
Miriam Margolyes, an acclaimed actress with a career spanning back to the 1960s, is widely recognized for playing Professor Pomona Sprout in the Harry Potter films. The 83-year-old, who will appear on Celebrity Gogglebox with Lesley Joseph, also earned a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mrs. Mingott in The Age of Innocence.
Over her long career, Miriam Margolyes has appeared in many films, including James and the Giant Peach, Mulan, Happy Feet, Flushed Away, and Early Man.
She has also been seen on TV, with roles in Doctor Who, as Prudence Stanley in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, and from 2018 to 2021 as Sister Mildred in Call the Midwife.
Born in Oxford in May 1941, Miriam attended Oxford High School and Newnham College, Cambridge, where she first began acting in Cambridge Footlights productions. During college, she also represented Newnham in the inaugural series of University Challenge, which eventually led to her starting out as a voice artist before moving into theatre and her first acting roles.
Miriam Margolyes, awarded an OBE in 2002 for her services to drama, has spent periods of her life living in Australia and became an Australian citizen in 2013 while retaining her British nationality. She often divides her time between London, Italy, and other locations.
She has been in a long-term relationship with Heather Sutherland, an Australian retired professor of Indonesian studies, since 1968. The couple keeps their personal life private.
Although they currently live separately, Miriam revealed in 2023 that she now hopes to live with Heather, recognizing that as they grow older, time together feels increasingly important.
Miriam Margolyes is also set to appear on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox for the Stand Up to Cancer special, joining actress and presenter Lesley Joseph. The pair will share the couch, offering their commentary on various TV programs for the show.
Reflecting on her Gogglebox appearance, Miriam said, “When they invited me to do Gogglebox for Stand Up to Cancer, I thought, ‘If I can watch TV and help raise money for a wonderful cause, I’m in!’ What could be better than that especially doing it with my brilliant friend of nearly 40 years, Lesley Joseph?”
“She’s wise and funny and knows everyone; a perfect partner in crime. Also, Stand Up to Cancer does vital work, and if we two old birds can help towards that – just show me the sofa, I’m all for it.”