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Wanda Ventham

Wanda Ventham

Actor · Born August 5, 1935 (91) · Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK

Wanda Ventham (born 5 August 1935) is an English television actress. She appeared in the third and fourth series of BBC's Sherlock in 2014 and 2017, where she played the title character's mum, with her son, actor Benedict Cumberbatch starring in the title role of Holmes. In April 2014, People magazine featured her in its "Most Beautiful People in the World" edition.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 5, 1935 (91)
From
Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 84 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 5% in 30 days

What are Wanda Ventham's films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
35%
Morality
26%
Survival
20%
Bonds
8%
Society
7%
Power
4%
Purpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 3 · Serious 2 · Dark 2

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 1 · Intense 3

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 4 · 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 4 · 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 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 3
Shadow
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
4
Joyful
3
Dread
3
Warm
3
Contemplative
1
Other
4

How their films linger

Feel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

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 Wanda Ventham's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 22 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Wanda Ventham'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

84 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Departure(2019)

    Show 5 episodes · as Wendy

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie(2016)

    as Violet

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Father Brown(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Ellen Jennings

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Run for Your Wife(2012)

    as Woman on Bus

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Sherlock(2010)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mrs. Holmes

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Inspector Lewis(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Eleanor Mallory

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Asylum(2005)

    as Bridie Straffen

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War(2002)

    as Victoria

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Coupling(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Edna

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Beverley Conran

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs Braithwaite

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Romany Rose

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Hetty Wainthropp Investigates(1995)

    Show 2 episodes · as Margaret Balshaw

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Next of Kin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 22 episodes · Actor

  • Heartbeat(1992)

    Show 4 episodes · as Fiona Weston

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Men Behaving Badly(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Capstick's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 6 episodes · as Madge Capstick

  • Out of the Shadows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Liz Bennett

  • Doctor Who: Time and the Rani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Faroon

  • Flying Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Lady Manley

  • Executive Stress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 19 episodes · Actor

  • Love and Marriage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Margaret

  • Union Castle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • Only Fools and Horses(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Pamela Parry

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Invasion: UFO (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Col. Virginia Lake

  • Minder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Beryl

  • Only When I Laugh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Fiona

  • You're Not Watching Me, Mummy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Susan

  • Fallen Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 12 episodes · as Dorothy Hopkins

  • All Creatures Great & Small(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Ridge

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who: Image of the Fendahl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Thea Ransome

  • That's Carry On!(1977)

    as Pretty Bidder (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • The Upchat Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Gwen

  • Life and Death of Penelope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Sweeney(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Brenda

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Dial M for Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Margot Lamasse

  • Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter(1974)

    as Lady Durward

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • UFO: Take Them Alive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Colonnello Virginia Lake

  • The Lotus Eaters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 15 episodes · as Ann Shepherd

  • Walt, King of the Dumper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Jasmine

  • UFO: Allarme rosso... Attacco alla Terra!(1973)

    as Colonel Virginia Lake

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • UFO(1970)

    Show 9 episodes · as Virginia Lake

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Department S (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Leila Rankin

  • The Caesars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Ennia

  • The Expert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Peggy Kirby

  • Carry on Up the Khyber(1968)

    as Khasi's First Wife

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Blood Beast Terror(1968)

    as Clare Mallinger

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Prisoner(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Computer Attendant

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Who: The Faceless Ones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Jean Rock

  • Mister Ten Per Cent(1967)

    as Kathy

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The World of Wodehouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Jane

  • The Spy with a Cold Nose(1966)

    as Mrs. Winters

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Josephine

  • Watch the Birdies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 5 episodes · as Irene Grant

  • Love Is a Woman(1966)

    as Priscilla Blunstone-Smythe

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Softly, Softly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Thirty-Minute Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Jasmine

  • The Big Job (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Dot Franklin

  • Out of the Unknown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Josephine

  • Blackmail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Susan Bannerton

  • The Troubleshooters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 2 episodes · as Moira Hart

  • The Knack... and How to Get It(1965)

    as Gym Mistress (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Intelligence Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Blonde at Reception Dinner Table (uncredited)

  • Joey Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Italian Girl

  • The Likely Lads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Angela

  • Carry on Cleo(1964)

    as Pretty Bidder (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Story Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Mary

  • A Stitch in Time(1963)

    as Nurse (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Doctor Who(1963)

    Show 4 episodes · as Faroon · as Jean Rock · as Thea Ransome

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • We Joined the Navy(1962)

    as Dartmouth Girl

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Human Jungle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Nurse

  • The Cracksman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Sandra

  • On the Beat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Outraged Hairdressers Customer (uncredited)

  • The Saint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Laura Stride · as Penny

  • Solo for Sparrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Waitress

  • Z-Cars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Rag Trade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 58 episodes · Actor

  • The Avengers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Danger Man(1960)

    Show 1 episode · as Penny

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • No Hiding Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Navy Lark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mabel

  • Armchair Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Julie · as Milly Craddock

  • My Teenage Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Gina

Career shape

Star power in the 87th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 84 titles from 1956 to 2019; peak year 2016.

Biggest box office

Asylum (2005)

$2.8M worldwide

Highest rated

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates (1995)

Midcredits 78th

Film career

19562019

Peak 2016 · 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
Acting84 of 84: 84 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score70th

By decade

1950s4 · acting1960s37 · acting1970s17 · acting1980s9 · acting1990s7 · acting2000s5 · acting2010s5 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 8 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 Wanda Ventham's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 27th percentile, the median of all 16; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 23rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

23rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

10thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

13 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Run for Your Wife (2012)

85th percentile spread · 72% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Sherlock (2010)

Midcredits 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 53/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 65, detractors 35. 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 Wanda Ventham work with?

People who share at least 2 of Wanda Ventham's MovieCove titles; John Le Mesurier shares the most, 2.