Linda Bassett
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- February 4, 1950
- Birthplace
- Pluckley, Kent, England, UK
Linda Bassett was born in the Kentish village of Pluckley - location for the television series The Darling Buds of May (1991). She was brought up in Pimlico, South London, by her typist mother and police officer father. She became interested in acting as a child when she was frequently taken to see plays in London, most notably at the Old Vic, the famous classical theater. On leaving school, Linda went to work at the Old Vic as an usherette and catering manager, before going to read English at Leeds University. However, she dropped out after a year and became involved in a local drama group which put on plays in community-based locations, such as schools. She regards this as her theatrical schooling, having had no formal training. She made her London stage debut at the age of 32 in 1982 and, in 1991, joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. Although she was a well-regarded stage performer, it was the 1999 film version of the play East Is East (1999) (in which she had been an original stage cast member) which brought her to a larger audience and, throughout the 2000s, she has been a familiar face in a variety of films and television series. In the late 1980s, she returned to live in Pluckley.
Filmography
Bare Roots 2026
as Sue
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry 2023
as Queenie
Careful How You Go 2018
Actor
Carnage: Swallowing the Past 2017
as Dr Yasmine Vondenburg
Effie Gray 2014
as Anna
National Theatre Live: People 2013
as Iris
West Is West 2010
as Ella Khan
The Reader 2008
as Ms. Brenner
Cass 2008
as Doll
- The English Harem
The English Harem 2005
as Monica Pringle
Colour Me Kubrick 2005
as Trolley Lady
Separate Lies 2005
as Maggie
Kinky Boots 2005
as Mel
Spivs 2004
as Auntie Vee
Calendar Girls 2003
as Cora
This Little Life 2003
as Nurse Nina
The Hours 2002
as Nelly Boxall
The Martins 2001
as Anthea
Don Quixote 2000
as Housekeeper
- Lounge Act
Lounge Act 2000
Actor
Beautiful People 1999
as Sister
East Is East 1999
as Ella Khan
Far from the Madding Crowd 1998
as Maryann Money
Spoonface Steinberg 1998
as Mrs. Spud
The Life and Crimes of William Palmer 1998
as Mary Thornton
Oscar and Lucinda 1997
as Betty Stratton
Alive and Kicking 1996
as Doctor
Mary Reilly 1996
as Mary's Mother
Haunted 1995
as Madame Brontski
Loved Up 1995
as Mum
A Village Affair 1995
as Gwen
In The Cold Light Of Day 1994
as Mrs. Loveless
Skallagrigg 1994
as Susan
A Small Dance 1991
as Sandra Matkin
Let Him Have It 1991
as Mrs. Miles
News Hounds 1990
as Virginia Lyddon
Paris by Night 1989
as Janet Swanton
- Omnibus: Caryl Churchill
Omnibus: Caryl Churchill 1988
as Player in 'Cloud 9' extract
Waiting for the Moon 1987
as Gertrude Stein
Credits from TMDB.