Belinda Stewart-Wilson
Encyclopedia
Belinda Stewart-Wilson is an English
actress, best known for her role in the TV sitcom The Inbetweeners
as Polly McKenzie.
, a British Army officer, Stewart-Wilson grew up on military postings in the UK, Germany, and Austria before her family settled in London, her father becoming an Equerry
to Queen Elizabeth II
. She was educated at Hurst Lodge School in Ascot, Berkshire
, before training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
, in London.
. She has a four year old son, Sonny.
, a show based on 1950s London. Her next two roles were one-time appearances in the popular British sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart
and playing a secretary
in a TV adaptation of Agatha Christie
's Poirot
story The Murder on the Links.
From there Stewart-Wilson went on to do more one-time appearances, playing roles in British sitcoms Days Like These
and Starting Out
as well as Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)
, a feature film starring Chris Penn
and Stellan Skarsgård
. She also played Dina in La Passione, a feature film based on the life of Chris Rea
.
In 2004 she made an appearance in the long-running British medical drama Holby City
, before moving on to two satirical programs: making an appearance in Look Around You
, which won the Rose d'Or
award for best comedy, as well as in three episodes of the 24 hour news-mocking Broken News
.
Throughout 2007 and 2008, Stewart-Wilson worked on a number of television shows, making mostly one-time appearances. Her most notable credits during this time period were the roles of Victoria Reynholm, the presumed dead wife of Douglas Reynholm in The IT Crowd
, and Nikki in the TV series Jekyll alongside James Nesbitt
and Gina Bellman
. She also made an appearance in the commercially successful mockumentary feature film Razzle Dazzle: A Journey into Dance
. Belinda also played a cameo role in Stephen Poliakoff
's Joe's Palace
in a scene with Michael Gambon
.
In 2007 Belinda played various roles in The Peter Serafinowicz Show
, going on to appear in The Peter Serafinowicz Show Christmas Special in 2008 which was nominated for a Bafta for Best Comedy in 2009. A "best of" compilation was also aired in 2008.
More recently, she has taken on the role of the central character's mother in three series of the hit comedy The Inbetweeners
, which was nominated for a Bafta for Best Sit-Com in 2009. Belinda also plays the recurring role of Christine Johnson in the third series of cult science-fiction show Primeval
.
In 2010 she once again appeared in The IT Crowd
, this time playing Victoria Reynholm, the wife of Douglas (Denholm Reynholm's son, played by Matt Berry
, making her the daughter-in-law of her previous character), who mysteriously vanished two weeks into their marriage whilst washing the car.
In August 2010, Irish band Pugwash
announced that they would be including a song called "Dear Belinda" on their next album, the track being written as a tribute to Stewart-Wilson for her forthcoming 40th birthday. Pugwash frontman Thomas Walsh
(also of The Duckworth Lewis Method
) added that Stewart-Wilson had requested that she appear on the final version of the song.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
actress, best known for her role in the TV sitcom The Inbetweeners
The Inbetweeners
The Inbetweeners is a British sitcom which aired for three series from 2008 to 2010 on E4. Created and written by Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, the show follows the life of suburban teenager Will , and three of his friends at the fictional Rudge Park Comprehensive. The Inbetweeners Movie was...
as Polly McKenzie.
Early life
The daughter of Sir Blair Stewart-WilsonBlair Stewart-Wilson
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Blair Aubyn Stewart-Wilson, KCVO was Equerry to Her Majesty The Queen and Deputy Master of the Household in the Royal Household from 1976 to 1994.-Biography:...
, a British Army officer, Stewart-Wilson grew up on military postings in the UK, Germany, and Austria before her family settled in London, her father becoming an Equerry
Equerry
An equerry , and related to the French word "écuyer" ) is an officer of honour. Historically, it was a senior attendant with responsibilities for the horses of a person of rank. In contemporary use, it is a personal attendant, usually upon a Sovereign, a member of a Royal Family, or a national...
to Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
. She was educated at Hurst Lodge School in Ascot, Berkshire
Ascot, Berkshire
Ascot is a village within the civil parish of Sunninghill and Ascot, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. It is most notable as the location of Ascot Racecourse, home of the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting...
, before training at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art
The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, formerly the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art, was a drama school, and originally a singing school, in London. It was one of the leading drama schools in Britain, and offered comprehensive training for those intending to pursue a...
, in London.
Personal life
Stewart-Wilson is separated from her husband Ben MillerBen Miller
Bennet Evan "Ben" Miller is an English comedian, actor and director. He is perhaps best known as one half of comedy double act Armstrong and Miller, along with Alexander Armstrong. Together the pair wrote and starred in Channel 4 sketch show Armstrong and Miller, and the more recent BBC television...
. She has a four year old son, Sonny.
Career
Stewart-Wilson's first television role was in the series Shine on Harvey MoonShine on Harvey Moon
Shine on Harvey Moon is a British television series made by Central Television for ITV from 8 January 1982 to 23 August 1985 and briefly revived in 1995 by Meridian....
, a show based on 1950s London. Her next two roles were one-time appearances in the popular British sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart
Goodnight Sweetheart
Goodnight Sweetheart is a sitcom that ran for six series on BBC1 from 1993 to 1999. It stars Nicholas Lyndhurst as Gary Sparrow, an accidental time traveller who leads a double life after discovering a time portal allowing him to travel between the London of the 1990s and the same area during the...
and playing a secretary
Secretary
A secretary, or administrative assistant, is a person whose work consists of supporting management, including executives, using a variety of project management, communication & organizational skills. These functions may be entirely carried out to assist one other employee or may be for the benefit...
in a TV adaptation of Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie
Dame Agatha Christie DBE was a British crime writer of novels, short stories, and plays. She also wrote romances under the name Mary Westmacott, but she is best remembered for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections , and her successful West End plays.According to...
's Poirot
Hercule Poirot
Hercule Poirot is a fictional Belgian detective created by Agatha Christie. Along with Miss Marple, Poirot is one of Christie's most famous and long-lived characters, appearing in 33 novels and 51 short stories published between 1920 and 1975 and set in the same era.Poirot has been portrayed on...
story The Murder on the Links.
From there Stewart-Wilson went on to do more one-time appearances, playing roles in British sitcoms Days Like These
Days Like These
Days Like These is a British TV series remake of the popular American sitcom That '70s Show. Directed by Bob Spiers, it was broadcast Fridays at 8.30pm on ITV in 1999 and used many of the same names , or slight alterations . It was set in Dunstable, Bedfordshire...
and Starting Out
Starting Out
Starting Out is an Australian television soap opera made for the Nine Network by the Reg Grundy Organisation in 1983.The series was the network's replacement for The Young Doctors and was set at a medical college with an emphasis on young people getting their first experience of living away from...
as well as Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)
Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)
Kiss Kiss is a 2000 English comedy film written and directed by Stewart Sugg. It features Stellan Skarsgård, Chris Penn, and Paul Bettany.- Plot :Felix is a hit-man who wants out of the business...
, a feature film starring Chris Penn
Chris Penn
Christopher Shannon "Chris" Penn was an American film and television actor known for his roles in such films as The Wild Life, Reservoir Dogs, Footloose, Rush Hour, True Romance, All the Right Moves and Pale Rider.-Early life:Penn was born in Los Angeles, California, the youngest son of Leo Penn,...
and Stellan Skarsgård
Stellan Skarsgård
Stellan John Skarsgård is a Swedish actor, known internationally for his film roles in Angels & Demons, Breaking the Waves, The Hunt for Red October, Ronin, Good Will Hunting, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist,...
. She also played Dina in La Passione, a feature film based on the life of Chris Rea
Chris Rea
Chris Rea is an English singer-songwriter, recognisable for his distinctive, husky voice and slide guitar playing. The British Hit Singles & Albums stated that Rea was "one of the most popular UK singer-songwriters of the late 1980s. He was already a major European star by the time he finally...
.
In 2004 she made an appearance in the long-running British medical drama Holby City
Holby City
Holby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
, before moving on to two satirical programs: making an appearance in Look Around You
Look Around You
Look Around You is a British television comedy series devised and written by Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz, and, in the first series, narrated by Nigel Lambert...
, which won the Rose d'Or
Rose d'Or
The Rose d’Or is one of the most important international festivals in entertainment television. It was founded in Montreux in 1961 and has taken place in Lucerne since 2004. Producers, executives from independent and public service broadcasters and heads of production companies from over 40...
award for best comedy, as well as in three episodes of the 24 hour news-mocking Broken News
Broken News
Broken News is a comedy programme shown on BBC Two in autumn 2005 and in Australia on SBS-TV from the 17 July 2006. The show poked fun at the world of 24-hour rolling news channels. The title of the show is a play on the phrase "Breaking News". It had six thirty-minute episodes...
.
Throughout 2007 and 2008, Stewart-Wilson worked on a number of television shows, making mostly one-time appearances. Her most notable credits during this time period were the roles of Victoria Reynholm, the presumed dead wife of Douglas Reynholm in The IT Crowd
The IT Crowd
The IT Crowd is a British sitcom by Channel 4, written by Graham Linehan, produced by Ash Atalla and starring Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson and Matt Berry...
, and Nikki in the TV series Jekyll alongside James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt
James Nesbitt is a Northern Irish actor. Born in Ballymena, County Antrim, Nesbitt grew up in the nearby village of Broughshane, before moving to Coleraine, County Londonderry. He wanted to become a teacher like his father, so he began a degree in French at the University of Ulster...
and Gina Bellman
Gina Bellman
Gina Bellman is a New Zealand-born British actress currently starring in the series Leverage as Sophie Devereaux for which she was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in Television.-Personal life:...
. She also made an appearance in the commercially successful mockumentary feature film Razzle Dazzle: A Journey into Dance
Razzle Dazzle: A Journey into Dance
Razzle Dazzle: A Journey Into Dance is a 2007 Australian mockumentary comedy film directed by Darren Ashton about competitive dance, first screened on 15 March 2007...
. Belinda also played a cameo role in Stephen Poliakoff
Stephen Poliakoff
Stephen Poliakoff, CBE, FRSL is an acclaimed British playwright, director and scriptwriter, widely judged amongst Britain's foremost television dramatists.-Early life and career:...
's Joe's Palace
Joe's Palace
Joe's Palace is a BBC television drama, and written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff. It was first aired on BBC One on 4 November 2007...
in a scene with Michael Gambon
Michael Gambon
Sir Michael John Gambon, CBE is an Irish actor who has worked in theatre, television and film. A highly respected theatre actor, Gambon is recognised for his roles as Philip Marlowe in the BBC television serial The Singing Detective, as Jules Maigret in the 1990s ITV serial Maigret, and as...
.
In 2007 Belinda played various roles in The Peter Serafinowicz Show
The Peter Serafinowicz Show
The Peter Serafinowicz Show was a BBC Two comedy sketch show written by and starring Peter Serafinowicz. The first series started on the 4 October 2007 at 21:30 as part of the newly launched "Thursdays Are Funny" brand on BBC2 and Thursdays on ABC2...
, going on to appear in The Peter Serafinowicz Show Christmas Special in 2008 which was nominated for a Bafta for Best Comedy in 2009. A "best of" compilation was also aired in 2008.
More recently, she has taken on the role of the central character's mother in three series of the hit comedy The Inbetweeners
The Inbetweeners
The Inbetweeners is a British sitcom which aired for three series from 2008 to 2010 on E4. Created and written by Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, the show follows the life of suburban teenager Will , and three of his friends at the fictional Rudge Park Comprehensive. The Inbetweeners Movie was...
, which was nominated for a Bafta for Best Sit-Com in 2009. Belinda also plays the recurring role of Christine Johnson in the third series of cult science-fiction show Primeval
Primeval
Primeval or primæval may refer to:* Primeval, a British science fiction television series.* Primeval , a 2007 film* Primeval , a score of music from the BBC TV series Doctor Who...
.
In 2010 she once again appeared in The IT Crowd
The IT Crowd
The IT Crowd is a British sitcom by Channel 4, written by Graham Linehan, produced by Ash Atalla and starring Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson and Matt Berry...
, this time playing Victoria Reynholm, the wife of Douglas (Denholm Reynholm's son, played by Matt Berry
Matt Berry
Matthew Charles "Matt" Berry is an English actor, writer, comedian and musician. Berry is perhaps best known for his appearances in The IT Crowd, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace and The Mighty Boosh; he also had his own series, Snuff Box...
, making her the daughter-in-law of her previous character), who mysteriously vanished two weeks into their marriage whilst washing the car.
In August 2010, Irish band Pugwash
Pugwash (band)
Pugwash is an Irish pop band fronted by Drimnagh-born musician Thomas Walsh. Pugwash has released four albums since its debut LP Almond Tea in 1999. The band signed a five-year deal with XTC founding member Andy Partridge's label Ape House in 2009...
announced that they would be including a song called "Dear Belinda" on their next album, the track being written as a tribute to Stewart-Wilson for her forthcoming 40th birthday. Pugwash frontman Thomas Walsh
Thomas Walsh (musician)
Thomas Walsh is an Irish musician and frontman for the band Pugwash.In 2009 he worked with The Divine Comedy singer Neil Hannon on a project called "The Duckworth Lewis Method", a cricket-themed band and album. Their single The Age of Revolution was released digitally at the end of June and the...
(also of The Duckworth Lewis Method
The Duckworth Lewis Method
The Duckworth Lewis Method are an Irish pop group formed by Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy and Thomas Walsh of Pugwash. The Duckworth Lewis Method is also the title of the group's only album, which was released on 3 July 2009, a few days before the start of the 2009 Ashes series. A concept album...
) added that Stewart-Wilson had requested that she appear on the final version of the song.
Filmography
- Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang)Kiss Kiss is a 2000 English comedy film written and directed by Stewart Sugg. It features Stellan Skarsgård, Chris Penn, and Paul Bettany.- Plot :Felix is a hit-man who wants out of the business...
(2000) - Razzle Dazzle: A Journey into DanceRazzle Dazzle: A Journey into DanceRazzle Dazzle: A Journey Into Dance is a 2007 Australian mockumentary comedy film directed by Darren Ashton about competitive dance, first screened on 15 March 2007...
(2007) - The Inbetweeners Movie (2011), Polly McKenzie
- All That Way For Love (2011), Kate
TV appearances
- Shine on Harvey MoonShine on Harvey MoonShine on Harvey Moon is a British television series made by Central Television for ITV from 8 January 1982 to 23 August 1985 and briefly revived in 1995 by Meridian....
(1995) - Murder on the LinksMurder on the LinksThe Murder on the Links is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by The Bodley Head in May 1923 and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in of the same year.It features Hercule Poirot and Arthur Hastings...
(1996) - Goodnight SweetheartGoodnight SweetheartGoodnight Sweetheart is a sitcom that ran for six series on BBC1 from 1993 to 1999. It stars Nicholas Lyndhurst as Gary Sparrow, an accidental time traveller who leads a double life after discovering a time portal allowing him to travel between the London of the 1990s and the same area during the...
(1999) - Days Like TheseDays Like TheseDays Like These is a British TV series remake of the popular American sitcom That '70s Show. Directed by Bob Spiers, it was broadcast Fridays at 8.30pm on ITV in 1999 and used many of the same names , or slight alterations . It was set in Dunstable, Bedfordshire...
(1999) - Holby CityHolby CityHolby City, stylised as Holby Ci+y, is a British medical drama television series that airs weekly on BBC One.The series was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama Casualty, and premiered on 12 January 1999...
(2004) - Look Around YouLook Around YouLook Around You is a British television comedy series devised and written by Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz, and, in the first series, narrated by Nigel Lambert...
(2005) - Broken NewsBroken NewsBroken News is a comedy programme shown on BBC Two in autumn 2005 and in Australia on SBS-TV from the 17 July 2006. The show poked fun at the world of 24-hour rolling news channels. The title of the show is a play on the phrase "Breaking News". It had six thirty-minute episodes...
(2005) - Party AnimalsParty Animals (TV series)Party Animals is a British television drama series screened on BBC Two in 2007. It was produced by World Productions, the makers of No Angels and This Life....
(2007) - Jekyll (2007)
- The Peter Serafinowicz ShowThe Peter Serafinowicz ShowThe Peter Serafinowicz Show was a BBC Two comedy sketch show written by and starring Peter Serafinowicz. The first series started on the 4 October 2007 at 21:30 as part of the newly launched "Thursdays Are Funny" brand on BBC2 and Thursdays on ABC2...
(2007) - The IT CrowdThe IT CrowdThe IT Crowd is a British sitcom by Channel 4, written by Graham Linehan, produced by Ash Atalla and starring Chris O'Dowd, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson and Matt Berry...
(2007, 2010) - The InbetweenersThe InbetweenersThe Inbetweeners is a British sitcom which aired for three series from 2008 to 2010 on E4. Created and written by Damon Beesley and Iain Morris, the show follows the life of suburban teenager Will , and three of his friends at the fictional Rudge Park Comprehensive. The Inbetweeners Movie was...
(2008–2010) - PrimevalPrimevalPrimeval or primæval may refer to:* Primeval, a British science fiction television series.* Primeval , a 2007 film* Primeval , a score of music from the BBC TV series Doctor Who...
(2009) - New Tricks (2010)
- MirandaMiranda (TV series)Miranda is a BBC television series co-written by and starring comedienne Miranda Hart, which first aired on BBC Two on 9 November 2009. The situation comedy also features Sarah Hadland, Tom Ellis, Patricia Hodge, James Holmes and Sally Phillips...
(2010) - The Impressions Show With Culshaw And StephensonThe Impressions Show with Culshaw and StephensonThe Impressions Show with Culshaw and Stephenson is a British comedy sketch show which stars impressionists Jon Culshaw and Debra Stephenson. A second series was broadcast between 14 November 2010 - 23 December 2010 and a third series started on the 26 October 2011 at 8.30pm on BBC One...
(2010) - My Family (2011)