Catherine Neilson
Encyclopedia
Catherine Neilson is a British stage, television, and film actress, who was active from the late 1970s through the mid 1990s.
, at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in London, opposite Tim Pigott-Smith
, in 1977. The Spectator observed that the role was "superbly played by Catherine Neilson". In 1980, she was Anni in Make and Break by Michael Frayn
in the West End
at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. And in 1985 she starred at the National Theatre
as Val in Neaptide by Sarah Daniels
.
On television, Neilson's early starring roles include the two-season series Yanks Go Home
(1976–1977), and Czech Mate, one of the 13 teleplays of the Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense
(1985). In 1988 she was Ian Charleson
's love interest in the espionage miniseries Codename: Kyril
. On the Ruth Rendell Mysteries, she played Elizabeth Nightingale in A Guilty Thing Surprised
(1988).
Neilson continued her television success with a starring role in Small Zones, a teleplay for Screen Two
(1990), and she was a cast member of the crime series Yellowthread Street
(1990). She also starred in two films by Ken Russell
: The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner (1990), which included a nude scene, and Prisoner of Honor
(1991).
In feature films, Neilson had supporting and co-starring roles. These include, most notably, Lady June Carberry in White Mischief
(1987), and Irene Saunders in Clint Eastwood's White Hunter Black Heart
(1990).
Career
On stage, Neilson starred as Christie in Traps by Caryl ChurchillCaryl Churchill
Caryl Churchill is an English dramatist known for her use of non-naturalistic techniques and feminist themes, the abuses of power, and sexual politics. She is acknowledged as a major playwright in the English language and a leading female writer...
, at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs in London, opposite Tim Pigott-Smith
Tim Pigott-Smith
Tim Pigott-Smith is an English film and television actor.-Early life:Pigott-Smith was born in Rugby, Warwickshire, the son of Margaret Muriel and Harry Thomas Pigott-Smith, who was a journalist. He was educated at Wyggeston Boys' School, Leicester, King Edward VI School Stratford-upon-Avon, and...
, in 1977. The Spectator observed that the role was "superbly played by Catherine Neilson". In 1980, she was Anni in Make and Break by Michael Frayn
Michael Frayn
Michael J. Frayn is an English playwright and novelist. He is best known as the author of the farce Noises Off and the dramas Copenhagen and Democracy...
in the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. And in 1985 she starred at the National Theatre
Royal National Theatre
The Royal National Theatre in London is one of the United Kingdom's two most prominent publicly funded theatre companies, alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company...
as Val in Neaptide by Sarah Daniels
Sarah Daniels
Sarah Daniels is a British dramatist. She has been a prolific writer since her first performed play was given a production at the Royal Court in 1981. Her plays have appeared at other venues including the National Theatre, the Battersea Arts Centre, the Crucible, Sheffield and Chicken Shed...
.
On television, Neilson's early starring roles include the two-season series Yanks Go Home
Yanks Go Home
Yanks Go Home is a British sitcom about U.S. Army Air Forcemen stationed in Lancashire, England in the Second World War. It was produced and directed by Eric Prytherch for Granada Television and broadcast on ITV between 1976 and 1977. The series ran for 2 series and 13 episodes in total before its...
(1976–1977), and Czech Mate, one of the 13 teleplays of the Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense
Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense
Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense was a short-lived anthology television series from Hammer Studios similar to the format now used by Masters of Horror in which several directors under contract to Hammer produced thirteen 69-73 min films for television. It is known in the United States as Fox...
(1985). In 1988 she was Ian Charleson
Ian Charleson
Ian Charleson was a Scottish stage and film actor. He is best known internationally for his starring role as Olympic athlete and missionary Eric Liddell, in the Oscar-winning 1981 film Chariots of Fire. He is also well known for his portrayal of Rev...
's love interest in the espionage miniseries Codename: Kyril
Codename: Kyril
Codename: Kyril is a 208-minute British serial, first broadcast in 1988. It is a Cold War espionage drama, starring Ian Charleson, Edward Woodward, Denholm Elliott, Joss Ackland, and Richard E. Grant...
. On the Ruth Rendell Mysteries, she played Elizabeth Nightingale in A Guilty Thing Surprised
A Guilty Thing Surprised
A Guilty Thing Surprised is a novel by British crime-writer Ruth Rendell. It was first published in 1970, and is the 5th entry in her popular Inspector Wexford series.- Plot summary:...
(1988).
Neilson continued her television success with a starring role in Small Zones, a teleplay for Screen Two
Play for Today
Play for Today is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC1 from 1970 to 1984. During the run, more than three hundred programmes, featuring original television plays, and adaptations of stage plays and novels, were transmitted...
(1990), and she was a cast member of the crime series Yellowthread Street
Yellowthread Street
Yellowthread Street was a 1990 ITV police drama about detectives of the Royal Hong Kong Police based on the novels by William Leonard Marshall....
(1990). She also starred in two films by Ken Russell
Ken Russell
Henry Kenneth Alfred "Ken" Russell was an English film director, known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his flamboyant and controversial style. He attracted criticism as being obsessed with sexuality and the church...
: The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner (1990), which included a nude scene, and Prisoner of Honor
Prisoner of Honor
Prisoner of Honor is a 1991 British dramatic television movie made by Warner Bros. Television and distributed by HBO about the French Dreyfus Affair...
(1991).
In feature films, Neilson had supporting and co-starring roles. These include, most notably, Lady June Carberry in White Mischief
White Mischief
White Mischief is a 1987 film dramatising the events of the Happy Valley murder case in Kenya in 1941, when Sir Henry "Jock" Delves Broughton was tried for the murder of Josslyn Hay, Earl of Erroll....
(1987), and Irene Saunders in Clint Eastwood's White Hunter Black Heart
White Hunter Black Heart
White Hunter Black Heart is a 1990 American film, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood as John Wilson, based on the book by Peter Viertel. Viertel also co-wrote the script with James Bridges and Burt Kennedy. The film was based on several Golden Age of Hollywood movie producers...
(1990).
Film
- FirepowerFirepower (film)Firepower is a 1979 British action film directed by Michael Winner and starring Sophia Loren, James Coburn, O.J. Simpson and Eli Wallach. It was the final film in the career of actor Victor Mature.-Synopsis:...
(1979) - The Wicked LadyThe Wicked Lady (1983 film)The Wicked Lady is a 1983 British drama film directed by Michael Winner. It was screened out of competition at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival. It is a remake of the 1945 film of the same name, which was one of the popular series of Gainsborough melodramas....
(1983) - Biggles: Adventures in TimeBiggles: Adventures in TimeBiggles: Adventures in Time is a 1986 adventure film based on the character of Biggles from the series of novels written by Captain W.E. Johns...
(1986) - White MischiefWhite MischiefWhite Mischief is a 1987 film dramatising the events of the Happy Valley murder case in Kenya in 1941, when Sir Henry "Jock" Delves Broughton was tried for the murder of Josslyn Hay, Earl of Erroll....
(1987) - White Hunter Black HeartWhite Hunter Black HeartWhite Hunter Black Heart is a 1990 American film, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood as John Wilson, based on the book by Peter Viertel. Viertel also co-wrote the script with James Bridges and Burt Kennedy. The film was based on several Golden Age of Hollywood movie producers...
(1990) - The TrialThe Trial (1993 film)The Trial is a 1993 film made by the British Broadcasting Corporation based on Harold Pinter's screenplay adaptation of Franz Kafka's 1925 novel The Trial....
(1993)
Television
- WarshipWarship (TV series)Warship was a popular British television drama series produced by the BBC between 1973 and 1977. It was also dubbed into Dutch and broadcast in the Netherlands as Alle hens...
(1976) - Yanks Go HomeYanks Go HomeYanks Go Home is a British sitcom about U.S. Army Air Forcemen stationed in Lancashire, England in the Second World War. It was produced and directed by Eric Prytherch for Granada Television and broadcast on ITV between 1976 and 1977. The series ran for 2 series and 13 episodes in total before its...
(1976–1977) - Coronation StreetCoronation StreetCoronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
(1979) - World's End (1981)
- WidowsWidows (TV series)Widows was a British primetime television serial aired in 1983, produced by Euston Films for Thames Television and aired on the ITV network....
(miniseries) (1983) - Mr. Palfrey of WestminsterMr. Palfrey of WestminsterMr Palfrey of Westminster was a British television drama which ran in 1984–85.-Plot summary:Mr Palfrey is a mild, middle aged man—the epitome of a middle rank British Civil Servant.He is also a spook....
(1984) - Czech Mate (Hammer House of Mystery and SuspenseHammer House of Mystery and SuspenseHammer House of Mystery and Suspense was a short-lived anthology television series from Hammer Studios similar to the format now used by Masters of Horror in which several directors under contract to Hammer produced thirteen 69-73 min films for television. It is known in the United States as Fox...
, 1985) - Widows 2Widows (TV series)Widows was a British primetime television serial aired in 1983, produced by Euston Films for Thames Television and aired on the ITV network....
(miniseries) (1985) - London's BurningLondon's BurningLondon's Burning was a British television drama programme produced by London Weekend Television for the ITV network that focused on the lives of members of the London Fire Brigade, principally those of the Blue Watch at a fictional fire station called Blackwall.It was broadcast between 1986 and...
(1988) - Codename: KyrilCodename: KyrilCodename: Kyril is a 208-minute British serial, first broadcast in 1988. It is a Cold War espionage drama, starring Ian Charleson, Edward Woodward, Denholm Elliott, Joss Ackland, and Richard E. Grant...
(miniseries) (1988) - Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1988)
- Wipe Out (miniseries) (1988)
- BergeracBergerac (TV series)Bergerac was a British television show set on Jersey. Produced by the BBC in association with the Seven Network, and screened on BBC1, it starred John Nettles as the title character Detective Sergeant Jim Bergerac, a detective in "Le Bureau des Étrangers" Bergerac was a British television show...
(1989) - The Strange Affliction of Anton Bruckner (TV movie) (1990)
- Small Zones (Screen TwoPlay for TodayPlay for Today is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC1 from 1970 to 1984. During the run, more than three hundred programmes, featuring original television plays, and adaptations of stage plays and novels, were transmitted...
, 1990) - Yellowthread StreetYellowthread StreetYellowthread Street was a 1990 ITV police drama about detectives of the Royal Hong Kong Police based on the novels by William Leonard Marshall....
(1990) - CasualtyCasualty (TV series)Casualty, stylised as Casual+y, is a British weekly television show broadcast on BBC One, and the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world. Created by Jeremy Brock and Paul Unwin, it was first broadcast on 6 September 1986, and transmitted in the UK on BBC One. The...
(1990) - Prisoner of HonorPrisoner of HonorPrisoner of Honor is a 1991 British dramatic television movie made by Warner Bros. Television and distributed by HBO about the French Dreyfus Affair...
(TV movie) (1991) - Perfect Scoundrels (1992)
- Thicker Than Water (TV movie) (1994)
Reference
- Screen International Film and TV Year Book, Volume 39. Screen International, King Publications, 1984. p. 606.
External links
- Catherine Neilson at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...