Janet Suzman

Dame Janet Suzman (born 9 February 1939) is a South African-born British actress known for her successful career in the Royal Shakespeare Company and her portrayal of Shakespearean roles on TV. She gained critical acclaim for her performance as Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in her first film, Nicholas and Alexandra (1971), earning her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Suzman has appeared in a diverse range of classical and modern drama and has directed numerous productions in both Britain and South Africa. She also starred in A Dry White Season (1989), a film that explored apartheid. Born in Johannesburg to a Jewish family, Suzman comes from a political background with her grandfather and aunt being prominent figures in South African politics.