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Barbara Flynn

Barbara Flynn

Actor · Born August 5, 1948 (78) · Hastings, East Sussex, England, UK

Barbara Joy Flynn (born 5 August 1948) is an English actress. She first came to prominence playing Freda Ashton in the ITV drama series A Family at War (1970–1972). She went on to play the milk woman in the BBC comedy Open All Hours (1976–1985), Jill Swinburne in The Beiderbecke Trilogy (1985–1988), Dr. Rose Marie in the BBC series A Very Peculiar Practice (1986–1988), Judith Fitzgerald in the ITV drama Cracker (1993–1995), and Mrs. Jamieson in Cranford (2007–2009). In 2021, she appeared in Doctor Who: Flux as Tecteun, a founder of Time Lord society and The Doctor's adopted mother. Starting in 2023, she acted in Beyond Paradise, playing the mother of the detective's girlfriend. This included some episodes in 2024 where she was reunited with Peter Davison, her A Very Peculiar Practice co-star. In her own words, she tends to play "feisty, strong women"

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 5, 1948 (78)
From
Hastings, East Sussex, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
30 on MovieCove · 88 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 17% in 30 days

What are Barbara Flynn's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 97th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary 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
35%
Self
22%
Society
19%
Morality
11%
Power
6%
Survival
5%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 5 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 7 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 4 · Intense 0

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 1

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 4 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 5 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Mentor
2 of 6
Threshold guardian
2 of 6
Hero
1 of 6
Shadow
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
8
Melancholic
9
Tense
8
Joyful
4
Hopeful
4
Other
10

How their films linger

Bittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet10
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

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 Barbara Flynn's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 26 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Barbara Flynn'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

88 credits, 30 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Open All Hours: Inside Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Secrets of the Royals: Births, Marriages and Deaths (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 10 episodes · as Narrator

  • Beyond Paradise(2023)

    Show 9 episodes · as Anne Lloyd

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Morse and the Last Endeavour(2023)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Diana: The Curse of the Spencers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Narrator

  • 1978: The Winter of Discontent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Narrator

  • Midsomer Murders: 25 Years of Mayhem(2022)

    as Millie Bullard

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Kate & Koji(2020)

    Show 6 episodes · as Councillor Lavinia Bone

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Killing Eve(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Durrells(2016)

    Show 5 episodes · as Aunt Hermione

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • 1864 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Queen Victoria

  • The Christmas Candle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Lady Camdon

  • Pat & Cabbage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · as Pat

  • The Flying Scotsman: A Rail Romance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Narrator (Voice)

  • Cheerful Weather for the Wedding(2012)

    as Aunt Bella

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Just Henry(2011)

    as Mrs Beaumont

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Death in Paradise(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Patti Grenson

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Borgias(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Isabella

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 14 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

  • Burlesque Fairytales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Mrs. Argyle

  • The Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 5 episodes · as The Queen

  • Moving On(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Carol

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The Marchioness Disaster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Eileen Dallaglio

  • Christmas at the Riviera(2007)

    as Rita

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Cranford(2007)

    Show 7 episodes · as Mrs Jamieson

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Guarding The Queen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 3 episodes · as Narrator

  • Miss Potter(2006)

    as Helen Potter

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Cracker: Nine Eleven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Judith Fitzgerald

  • The Line of Beauty(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Sally Tipper

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • The 7/7 Bombers: A Psychological Investigation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Voice

  • Elizabeth I(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mary Queen of Scots

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Malice Aforethought (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Julia Bickleigh

  • The Queen's Castle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Narrator (Voice)

  • Doctor Who(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Awsok

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • He Knew He Was Right (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mrs French

  • Sea of Souls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lt Col Petra Summers

  • George Orwell: A Life In Pictures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Narrator

  • Rosalind Franklin: DNA's Dark Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Narrator

  • Hornblower: Duty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Mrs. Mason

  • Hornblower: Loyalty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Mrs. Mason

  • The Inspector Lynley Mysteries(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Maureen Finnegan

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Forsyte Saga(2002)

    Show 6 episodes · as Emily · as Emily Forsyte

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Night Flight(2002)

    as Moira

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Perfect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Imogen

  • Murder in Mind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Grace Fisher

  • Lorna Doone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Sarah Ridd

  • Lorna Doone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sarah Ridd

  • Wives and Daughters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 4 episodes · as Miss Browning

  • The Escort(1999)

    as Kim's Mother

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • You're Dead... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Prof. Corner

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Mrs Mason

  • King Lear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Goneril

  • Dear Nobody (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Chris' Mother

  • The Vanishing Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr Jeffries

  • The Vanishing Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Me Jeffries

  • Dalziel and Pascoe(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as TV Documentary Narrator

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Silent Witness(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Carol Fisher

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Chandler & Co (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 6 episodes · as Dee Tate

  • Cracker(1993)

    Show 15 episodes · as Judith · as Judith Fitzgerald

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Maigret(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Performance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Goneril

  • Joshua Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • The Justice Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 4 episodes · as Eleanor Goodchild

  • Poirot(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs Allerton

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Benefactors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Bosses From Hell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • The Beiderbecke Connection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 4 episodes · as Jill Swinburne

  • The Beiderbecke Tapes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jill Swinburne

  • Inspector Morse(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Monica Height

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Season's Greetings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Belinda

  • Day To Remember (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Judy

  • A Very Peculiar Practice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 14 episodes · as Dr Rose Marie

  • The Beiderbecke Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 6 episodes · as Jill Swinburne

  • A Mother Like Him (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Jill

  • The Barchester Chronicles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mary Bold

  • The New Adventures of Lucky Jim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Joanna Lassiter

  • Britannia Hospital(1982)

    as Private Nurse

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • No Visible Scar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Margaret Hanson

  • The Bagthorpe Saga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Sue

  • Standing in for Henry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Heather

  • Murder Most English: A Flaxborough Chronicle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Pauline Sutton

  • Love on a Gunboat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Monica Potter

  • Open All Hours(1976)

    Show 11 episodes · as The Milk Woman

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Flight Fund (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Angie

  • Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Heather

  • Centre Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Angie

  • Play for Today (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Jill · as Margaret Hanson · as Monica Potter

  • A Family at War(1970)

    Show 32 episodes · as Freda Ashton · as Freda MacKenzie

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 86 titles from 1970 to 2026; peak year 2013.

Biggest box office

Miss Potter (2006)

$35M worldwide

Highest rated

Cranford (2007)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Beyond Paradise (2023)

Film career

19702026

Peak 2013 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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
Acting86 of 86: 86 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score80th

By decade

1970s8 · acting1980s18 · acting1990s15 · acting2000s27 · acting2010s12 · acting2020s6 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 6 roles

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.

How do Barbara Flynn's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 9; across their 8 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 59th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Approval · how many liked their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 30 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up19
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th5

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 30 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Night Flight (2002)

68th percentile spread · 16% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Morse and the Last Endeavour (2023)

Midcredits 98th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 74/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 41. 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.

Who does Barbara Flynn work with?

People who share at least 2 of Barbara Flynn's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; David Moore shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Producers

Mixed roles