
Alison Steadman (born 26 August 1946) is an English actor. She won the 1991 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the Mike Leigh (her husband 1973-2001) film Life is Sweet, and the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role as Mari in the original production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. In a 2007 Channel 4 poll, the "50 Greatest Actors" voted for by other actors, she was ranked No. 42. Steadman made her professional stage debut in 1968 and went on to establish her career in Mike Leigh's 1970s TV plays Nuts in May (1976) and Abigail's Party (1977). She received BAFTA TV Award nominations for the 1986 BBC serial The Singing Detective, and in 2001 for the ITV drama series Fat Friends (2000–05). Other television roles include Pride and Prejudice (1995), Gavin & Stacey (2007–10, 2019) and Orphan Black (2015–16). Her other film appearances include A Private Function (1984), Clockwise (1986), Shirley Valentine (1989), Topsy Turvy (1999), and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004).
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Biography from TMDB.
- August 26, 1946 (80)
- Liverpool, England, UK
- Actor
- 44 on MovieCove · 137 credits in all
What are Alison Steadman's films like?
Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.
Genres
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
What they feel like to watch
Ironic 0 · Wry 2 · Earnest 17
A split, not a type: Light 12 · Serious 3 · Dark 5
A split, not a type: Grounded 12 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3
Gentle 8 · Charged 9 · Intense 3
Steady 11 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 3
Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 4
Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 1
Casual 15 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 1
Easy watch 12 · Affecting 3 · Heavy 5
Resolved 18 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0
Roles they play
Usually the Ally: 5 of 14 analyzed roles.
Show the 14 rolesHide the roles
- Mentoras Miss Land in Kipperbang (1982)
- Allyas Gwenda Stimpson in Clockwise (1986)
- Heraldas Jane in Shirley Valentine (1989)
- Mentoras Wendy in Life Is Sweet (1990)
- Allyas Betty Simpson in Fat Friends (2000)
- Threshold guardianas Angela Cook in The Worst Week of My Life (2004)
- Heroas Pauline Paradise in Love & Marriage (2013)
- Allyas Hallie Miles in The Great War: The People's Story (2014)
- Heraldas Auntie Jean in Peterman (2014)
- Allyas Mary in Care (2018)
- Heroas Edith in Hold the Sunset (2018)
- Threshold guardianas Barbara in Butterfly (2018)
- Mentoras Sue Jessop in Here We Go (2020)
- Allyas Other creations in Stitch Head (2025)
Moods and endings
- Happy12
- Bittersweet16
- Ambiguous2
- 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 Alison Steadman's films?
As of October 24, 2026, 27 of their 44 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).
- Pride and Prejudice (1995) · actor · free
- The Worst Week of My Life (2004) · actor · free
- Midsomer Murders (1997) · actor · free
- Kavanagh QC (1995) · actor · free
- Care (2018) · actor · free
- Burn Burn Burn (2015) · actor · free
- Fat Friends (2000) · actor · free
- 23 Walks (2020) · actor · free
- Stormy Monday (1988) · actor · free
- Boomers (2014) · actor · free
- Coming Through (1985) · actor · free
- Love & Marriage (2013) · actor · free
- Pride and Prejudice (1995) · actor · free
- The Worst Week of My Life (2004) · actor · free
- Midsomer Murders (1997) · actor · free
- Kavanagh QC (1995) · actor · free
- Fat Friends (2000) · actor · free
- 23 Walks (2020) · actor · free
- Stormy Monday (1988) · actor · free
- Boomers (2014) · actor · free
- Coming Through (1985) · actor · free
- BritBox
- Acorn TV, show their 2 titles on Acorn TV
- Howdy, show their 2 titles on Howdy
- Shout! TV, show their 2 titles on Shout! TV
- Best of British Television, show their title on Best of British Television
- Magnolia Selects, show their title on Magnolia Selects
- Passionflix, show their title on Passionflix
- Sony Pictures Core, show their title on Sony Pictures Core
- Wonder Project, show their title on Wonder Project
Subscription and free streaming for Alison Steadman'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
137 credits, 44 with a MovieCove page; 20 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

Joke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks Fantasaganza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

Stitch Head(2025)
Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films
Better Man(2024)
Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films
Here We Go: Mum's Classic Family Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

Alison & Larry: Billericay To Barry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

Wake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

Queen and Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

Here We Go(2020)
Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows
Rules of the Game(2022)
Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows
The King's Man(2021)
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films
Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)
We Love Gavin and Stacey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

23 Walks(2020)
Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films
Gavin & Stacey: A Special Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

Off Grid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

DNA Journey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

Care(2018)
Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
Butterfly(2018)
Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows
Hold the Sunset(2018)
Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows
Yours Faithfully, Edna Welthorpe (Mrs) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

Becky Watts Killed for Kicks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

We Can Be Heroes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

Burn Burn Burn(2015)
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Dad's Army(2016)
Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films
Peterman(2014)
Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
The Secrets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

Boomers(2014)
Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows
Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows
Inside No. 9(2014)
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows
Yonderland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

Love & Marriage(2013)
Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows
Orphan Black(2013)
Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows
Gadget Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)
A Civil Arrangement (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

Playhouse Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

The Syndicate(2012)
Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all showsComedy Blaps (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

French Exchange (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

Come Rain Come Shine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

Little Crackers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

Caravans: A British Love Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special 2008 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

Who Gets the Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

Fanny Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

Fanny Hill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

The Dinner Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

The Man from Montevideo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

Gavin & Stacey(2007)
Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows
Inspector Lewis(2006)
Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows
Loony in the Woods (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

Confetti(2006)
Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films
Twisted Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)
Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all showsBosom Pals (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

Chunky Monkey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

D.I.Y. Hard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)
Ivor the Invisible (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films
Happy Now (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)
Lenny Henry in Pieces (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

Fat Friends(2000)
Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows
Topsy-Turvy(1999)
Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films
Jack and the Beanstalk(1999)
Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)
Let Them Eat Cake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

Santa's Last Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

Stressed Eric (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

The Ugly Duckling(1997)
Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
The Missing Postman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

The Missing Postman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

Midsomer Murders(1997)
Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows
Secrets & Lies(1996)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films
No Bananas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

Karaoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

Dalziel and Pascoe(1996)
Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows
The Snow Queen's Revenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

Crapston Villas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

Pride and Prejudice(1995)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows
Kavanagh QC(1995)
Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows
Gotta Get Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

The Wimbledon Poisoner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

Do You Remember the First Time? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

Degas and Pissario Fall Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

Selling Hitler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

Gone to Seed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

Blame It on the Bellboy(1992)
Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films
Gone to the Dogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

Selling Hitler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

Life Is Sweet(1990)
Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films
News Hounds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

A Small Mourning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

Screen One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

Shirley Valentine(1989)
Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films
Wilt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

The Jim Henson Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

Virtuoso (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

Monster Maker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

7 Deadly Sins: Stage Acting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)
Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films
Stormy Monday(1988)
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
The Short & Curlies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

The Singing Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

ScreenPlay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

Clockwise(1986)
Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films
Coming Through(1985)
Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films
Number One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

Screen Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

The Caucasian Chalk Circle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

A Private Function(1984)
Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films
Champions(1984)
Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films
Tartuffe, or The Imposter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

Kipperbang(1982)
Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films
The Muscle Market (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

Pasmore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)
Two Days That Shook the Branch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

Abigail's Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

Our Flesh and Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

Bag of Yeast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

Nuts in May (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

Red Letter Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

Through the Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

Oil Strike North (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

Early to Bed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

The Wackers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

Taking Leave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)
Second City Firsts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

Hard Labour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

Crown Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)
Bel Ami (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

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

ITV Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

King of the Teds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Career shape
Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 138 titles, 137 of them dated from 1967 to 2026; peak year 1988.

Biggest box office
Better Man (2024)

Highest rated
Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Most popular right now
Better Man (2024)
Film career
Peak 1988 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 6 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.
- 1976Screen debut· Nuts in May
- 1976First top-billed film· Nuts in May
- 1991Career best· Life Is Sweet
- 2007Career best· Gavin & Stacey
Billing
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
2 major nominations and no wins, 1987–2001.
- BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Actress
- BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Actress
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 Alison Steadman's films land?
Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 63rd percentile, the median of all 26; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 63rd percentile for acclaim.
- 75th and up20
- 50th to 74th10
- 25th to 49th10
- Below 25th4
Shape of the crowd
20 of their 44 titles are Crowd Pleasers.
- Universally Loved9
- Crowd Pleaser20
- Broadly Agreed1
- Mixed14
Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 50. 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 Alison Steadman's work okay for kids?
Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films and violence & gore lighter.
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 Alison Steadman work with?
People who share at least 2 of Alison Steadman's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Rob Brydon shares the most, 3.
Actors
- Rob BrydonShared titles: Stitch Head (2025), Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse (2020), Gavin & Stacey (2007)See all 3 shared titles with Rob Brydon

- Steve PembertonShared titles: Better Man (2024), The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)See all 2 shared titles with Steve Pemberton

- Jessica HynesShared titles: Extraordinary Escapes (2021), Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse (2020)See all 2 shared titles with Jessica Hynes

- Sue JohnstonShared titles: Extraordinary Escapes (2021), Hold the Sunset (2018)See all 2 shared titles with Sue Johnston

Composers and cinematographers
- Carl DavisShared titles: Pride and Prejudice (1995), Champions (1984)See all 2 shared titles with Carl Davis

- Tony Pierce-RobertsShared titles: A Private Function (1984), Kipperbang (1982)See all 2 shared titles with Tony Pierce-Roberts

Producers
- Frances MableShared titles: Hold the Sunset (2018), Boomers (2014)See all 2 shared titles with Frances Mable
- Gregor SharpShared titles: Hold the Sunset (2018), Boomers (2014)See all 2 shared titles with Gregor Sharp
- Tim PhillipsShared titles: Burn Burn Burn (2015), Peterman (2014)See all 2 shared titles with Tim Phillips


