Lesley Nicol
Biography
Lesley Nicol (born August 7, 1953 in Manchester, England) is an English actress. She is a three-time SAG Award winner in the Best Cast in a Drama Series category for her role as Beryl Patmore in the ITV and PBS drama TV series Downton Abbey. She also starred in the 2019 feature film adaptation of the series, its 2022 sequel, and its 2025 finale. Nicol is also notable for her role as Mrs Beaver in the 1988 BBC adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and as the Queen Giant in the 1990 adaptation of The Silver Chair. She has guest-starred on numerous British television series and also appeared as Rosie in the West End production of Mamma Mia! from 2000 to 2002. She trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Also Known As
Movie Appearances
Dead Clever: The Life and Crimes of Julie Bottomley
as Jean
2007
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair
as Giant Queen
1990
West Is West
as Auntie Annie
2010
Free Birds
as Female Pilgrim (voice)
2013
East Is East
as Auntie Annie
1999
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe
as Mrs. Beaver
1988
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
as Mrs Patmore
2025
Hancock & Joan
as Nellie
2008
Ghostbusters
as Mrs. Ponner (uncredited)
2016
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
as Nobel Moderator (voice)
2017
Downton Abbey
as Beryl Patmore
2019
More Beautiful for Having Been Broken
as Adel
2020
Downton Abbey Live!
as Self
2019
Piney: The Lonesome Pine
as Forever Tree
2019
Downton Abbey: A New Era
as Beryl Patmore
2022
Joy: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir
as Self
2024
Sarah & Duck On The Big Screen
2025
Benefit to Mankind
as Stella Beauchamp
2004
Downton Abbey Celebrates the Grand Finale
as Self
2025
The Wingfeather Saga: The Journey Begins
as Nurgabog Weaver (voice)
2025
TV Appearances
Jellystone!
as Winsome Witch (voice)
2021
Downton Abbey
as Beryl Patmore
2010
Once Upon a Time
as Johanna
2011
Supernatural
as Katja
2005
Animaniacs
as Mrs. Kettle (voice)
2020
Blackadder
as Mrs. Pants
1983
Father Brown
as Majorie Chummy
2013
dinnerladies
as Worker
1998
Peak Practice
as Sally Buxton
1993
Rose and Maloney
as Headteacher
2002
Paul Merton: The Series
1991
Harvey Beaks
as Ms. Paddles (voice)
2015