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Linda Bassett

Linda Bassett

Actor · Born February 4, 1950 (76) · Pluckley, Kent, England, UK

BAFTA Award nominee

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 4, 1950 (76)
From
Pluckley, Kent, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
30 on MovieCove · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 16% in 30 days

What are Linda Bassett's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
26%
Morality
21%
Self
19%
Survival
11%
Society
10%
Ideas
7%
Power
5%
Romantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeHope3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMortality2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 9 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 2 of 8 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
2 of 8
Ally
2 of 8
Mentor
2 of 8
Hero
1 of 8
Trickster
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
7
Hopeful
7
Warm
5
Melancholic
5
Bittersweet
5
Other
15

How their films linger

Hopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Linda Bassett's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Linda Bassett's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 30 with a MovieCove page.

  • Bare Roots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Sue

  • The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry(2023)

    as Queenie

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Careful How You Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • C.B. Strike(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Joan Nancarrow

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Carnage(2017)

    as Dr Yasmine Vondenburg

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Effie Gray(2014)

    as Anna

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • National Theatre Live: People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Iris

  • Spies of Warsaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Maika Rosen

  • The Life and Adventures of Nick Nickleby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 5 episodes · as Mrs. Smike

  • Call the Midwife(2012)

    Show 79 episodes · as Nurse Phyllis Crane · as Phyllis Crane

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • West Is West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Ella Khan

  • Grandma's House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 12 episodes · as Grandma Lily

  • The Reader(2008)

    as Ms. Brenner

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Lark Rise to Candleford(2008)

    Show 40 episodes · as Queenie Turrill

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Cass(2008)

    as Doll

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Sense & Sensibility(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mrs. Jennings

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The English Harem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Monica Pringle

  • Color Me Kubrick(2005)

    as Trolley Lady

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Separate Lies(2005)

    as Maggie

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Kinky Boots(2005)

    as Mel

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Spivs(2004)

    as Auntie Vee

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Brief(2004)

    Show 8 episodes · as Maureen Tyler

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Calendar Girls(2003)

    as Cora

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • This Little Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Nurse Nina

  • The Hours(2002)

    as Nelly Boxall

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Martins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Anthea

  • Don Quixote(2000)

    as Housekeeper

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Lounge Act (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Actor

  • Beautiful People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Sister

  • East Is East(1999)

    as Ella Khan

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • dinnerladies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Peggy

  • Far from the Madding Crowd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 4 episodes · as Maryann Money

  • Out of Hours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 6 episodes · as Carol-Anne Kumar

  • Far from the Madding Crowd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Maryann Money

  • Spoonface Steinberg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Mrs. Spud

  • Our Mutual Friend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Abby Potterson

  • The Life and Crimes of William Palmer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Mary Thornton

  • Oscar and Lucinda(1997)

    as Betty Stratton

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Eileen Carnack

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Alive and Kicking(1996)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • No Bananas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 10 episodes · as Ellen Slater

  • Mary Reilly(1996)

    as Mary's Mother

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Haunted(1995)

    as Madame Brontski

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Loved Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Mum

  • Bramwell(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Maud

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • A Village Affair(1995)

    as Gwen

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Kavanagh QC(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Miss Haddon QC

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • In The Cold Light Of Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Mrs. Loveless

  • Skallagrigg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Susan

  • Frank Stubbs Promotes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Eileen

  • A Touch of Frost(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs Cornish

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Heartbeat(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Beryl Palmer

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • A Small Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Sandra Matkin

  • Let Him Have It(1991)

    as Mrs. Miles

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • News Hounds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Virginia Lyddon

  • Paris by Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Janet Swanton

  • Waiting for the Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Gertrude Stein

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Olwyn Humphries

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • The Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dramarama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Meg Crawford

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Gertrude Stein

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 61 titles from 1982 to 2026; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

Calendar Girls (2003)

$93M worldwide

Highest rated

Call the Midwife (2012)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19822026

Peak 2004 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting61 of 61: 61 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score74th

By decade

1980s6 · acting1990s27 · acting2000s16 · acting2010s10 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 17 roles
910106

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

Nominated for a BAFTA Award in 2000, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Linda Bassett's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 19; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 55th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 30 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 30 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Alive and Kicking (1996)

84th percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Call the Midwife (2012)

Midcredits 96th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 78/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 84, detractors 52. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Linda Bassett's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 5 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 36 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles14–62 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 47 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Linda Bassett work with?

People who share at least 2 of Linda Bassett's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ciarán Hinds shares the most, 3.

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers