Geraldine James

Geraldine James, OBE (born 6 July 1950), is an English actress known for her work in both film and television. Born in Maidenhead, Berkshire, James comes from a family with a medical background - her father was a cardiologist and her mother a nurse. She attended Downe House, a girls' independent school in Newbury, Berkshire, where she used the name Gerry Thomas. After graduating from the Drama Centre London in 1973, James started her career in repertory theatre. She has been nominated four times for the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress and has received critical acclaim for her role in the 1989 Broadway revival of The Merchant of Venice.