Jeillo Edwards
Encyclopedia
Jeillo Edwards was a Sierra Leone
an actress. She began performing at the age of four, reading from the Bible
at her church. She was well known for her distinctive voice and imperious enunciation. She featured on the BBC World Service
for Africa which was broadcast in the UK. She became popular in the United Kingdom
, appearing on television
, where she held the distinction of being the first black woman to appear on British television as well as being the first Africa
n to appear on "The Bill
", radio
and on stage.
She appeared in cameo roles in many British television comedy programs including The League of Gentlemen
, Absolutely Fabulous
, Red Dwarf
, Black Books
, Spaced
and Little Britain
, in which she had been planned to appear in the second series before her death.
She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
. As well as acting she also at one time was a school governor and owned a restaurant called Auntie J's in Brixton
.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
an actress. She began performing at the age of four, reading from the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
at her church. She was well known for her distinctive voice and imperious enunciation. She featured on the BBC World Service
BBC World Service
The BBC World Service is the world's largest international broadcaster, broadcasting in 27 languages to many parts of the world via analogue and digital shortwave, internet streaming and podcasting, satellite, FM and MW relays...
for Africa which was broadcast in the UK. She became popular in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, appearing on television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, where she held the distinction of being the first black woman to appear on British television as well as being the first Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n to appear on "The Bill
The Bill
The Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
", radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and on stage.
She appeared in cameo roles in many British television comedy programs including The League of Gentlemen
The League of Gentlemen (comedy)
The League of Gentlemen are a quartet of British dark comedy writers/performers, formed in 1995 by Jeremy Dyson, Mark Gatiss, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith...
, Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous, also known as Ab Fab, is a British sitcom created by Jennifer Saunders, based on an original idea by her and Dawn French, and written by Saunders, who plays the leading character. It also stars Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha, along with June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks...
, Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf
Red Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which primarily comprises eight series of a television science fiction sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and Dave from 2009–present. It gained cult following. It was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who also wrote the first six series...
, Black Books
Black Books
Black Books is a British sitcom television series created by Dylan Moran and Graham Linehan and produced by Nira Park, first broadcast on Channel 4 from 2000 to 2004...
, Spaced
Spaced
Spaced is a British television sitcom written by and starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, and directed by Edgar Wright. It is noted for its rapid-fire editing, frequent pop culture references and jokes, eclectic music, and occasional displays of surrealism and non-sequitur humour...
and Little Britain
Little Britain
Little Britain is a British character-based comedy sketch show which was first broadcast on BBC radio and then turned into a television show. It was written by comic duo David Walliams and Matt Lucas...
, in which she had been planned to appear in the second series before her death.
She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
. As well as acting she also at one time was a school governor and owned a restaurant called Auntie J's in Brixton
Brixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
.
Actress
- 2003: Little BritainLittle BritainLittle Britain is a British character-based comedy sketch show which was first broadcast on BBC radio and then turned into a television show. It was written by comic duo David Walliams and Matt Lucas...
.... Nurse (1 episode, 2003) - 2003: M.I.T.: Murder Investigation Team .... Agnes Welsh (1 episode, 2003)
- 2003: Murder in Mind .... Phyllis (1 episode, 2003)
- 2002: Dirty Pretty ThingsDirty Pretty Things (film)Dirty Pretty Things is a 2002 film directed by Stephen Frears and written by Steven Knight, a drama about two illegal immigrants in London...
.... Hospital Cleaning Lady - 2002: AnansiAnansiAnansi the trickster is a spider, and is one of the most important characters of West African and Caribbean folklore.He is also known as Ananse, Kwaku Ananse, and Anancy; and in the Southern United States he has evolved into Aunt Nancy. He is a spider, but often acts and appears as a man...
.... Aunt Vera - 2001: Absolutely FabulousAbsolutely FabulousAbsolutely Fabulous, also known as Ab Fab, is a British sitcom created by Jennifer Saunders, based on an original idea by her and Dawn French, and written by Saunders, who plays the leading character. It also stars Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha, along with June Whitfield and Jane Horrocks...
.... Jeillo (1 episode, 2001) - 2001: Sam's GameSam's GameSam's Game is a celebrity poker program currently airing on Playboy TV. It features a lineup of comedians, Playmates, and professional Texas Hold 'Em players and is hosted by Simpsons co-creator, Sam Simon.-Format:...
.... Mumma (1 episode, 2001) - 2001: SpacedSpacedSpaced is a British television sitcom written by and starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, and directed by Edgar Wright. It is noted for its rapid-fire editing, frequent pop culture references and jokes, eclectic music, and occasional displays of surrealism and non-sequitur humour...
.... Tim's Benefit Clerk (1 episode, 2001) - 2000: Black BooksBlack BooksBlack Books is a British sitcom television series created by Dylan Moran and Graham Linehan and produced by Nira Park, first broadcast on Channel 4 from 2000 to 2004...
.... Midwife (1 episode, 2000) - 2000: The Thing About Vince .... Mrs. Cuffy (2 episodes, 2000)
- 2000: The League of GentlemenThe League of GentlemenThe League of Gentlemen are a group of British comedians formed in 1995, best known for their radio and television series.The League of Gentlemen may also refer to:* The League of Gentlemen ,...
.... Yvonne (1 episode, 2000) - 2000: Tough LoveTough loveTough love is an expression used when someone treats another person harshly or sternly with the intent to help them in the long run. The phrase was evidently coined by Bill Milliken when he wrote the book Tough Love in 1968 and has been used by numerous authors since then.In most uses, there must...
(TV) .... Irate Woman - 1999: Red DwarfRed DwarfRed Dwarf is a British comedy franchise which primarily comprises eight series of a television science fiction sitcom that aired on BBC Two between 1988 and 1999 and Dave from 2009–present. It gained cult following. It was created by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, who also wrote the first six series...
.... Second Ground Controller (1 episode, 1999) - 1998: A Rather English MarriageA Rather English MarriageA Rather English Marriage is a novel by Angela Lambert, first published in 1992, and later adapted for television by Andrew Davies for the BBC.-Plot summary:...
(TV) .... Sister - 1998: Babes in the WoodBabes in the WoodBabes in the Wood is a traditional children's tale, as well as a popular pantomime subject. It has also been the name of some other unrelated works. The expression has passed into common language, referring to inexperienced innocents entering unawares into any potentially dangerous or hostile...
.... Nigerian Lady (1 episode, 1998) - 1998: In ExileIn Exile[In] Exile is the third full-length studio album by Australian rock band After the Fall, released through Roadrunner Records on 28 August 2009. The album was produced, engineered and mixed by Richard Stolz....
.... Mother (1 episode, 1998) - 1997: Holding On .... Aunt Gaynor (5 episodes, 1997)
- 1997: Paris, Brixton .... Landlady
- 1996: Beautiful ThingBeautiful ThingOriginally Beautiful Thing is a play written by Jonathan Harvey and first performed in 1993. A screen adaptation of the play was released in 1996 by Channel 4 Films, with a revised screenplay also by Harvey. Initially, the film was only intended for television broadcast but it was so well-received...
.... Rose - 1994: Pat and MargaretPat and MargaretPat and Margaret is a British television film written by comedian Victoria Wood. The story follows sisters Margaret, a cook, and Pat, a successful actress in the United States, after they are reunited on a television programme after spending 27 years apart...
(TV) .... Tea Bar Lady - 1994: A Skirt Through History .... Mary Prince (1 episode, 1994)
- 1993: The Line, the Cross & the Curve .... Dancer 'Eat the Music'
- 1992: Screen OneScreen OneScreen One is a British television anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and transmitted on BBC1 between 1989 to 1993.Following the demise of the BBC's Play For Today which ran from 1970 to 1984, producer Kenneth Trodd was asked to formulate a new series of one-off television dramas...
.... Mrs. Jessop (1 episode, 1992) - 1989: Sob Sisters .... Woman with dog (1 episode, 1989)
- 1989: 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...
.... Grandmother / ... (3 episodes, 1989–1997) - 1988: Rumpole of the BaileyRumpole of the BaileyRumpole of the Bailey is a British television series created and written by the British writer and barrister John Mortimer which starred Leo McKern as Horace Rumpole, an ageing London barrister who defends any and all clients...
.... Lady Cashier (1 episode, 1988) - 1988: 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...
.... Mrs. Jones (1 episode, 1988) - 1987: The BillThe BillThe Bill is a police procedural television series that ran from October 1984 to August 2010. It focused on the lives and work of one shift of police officers, rather than on any particular aspect of police work...
.... Clarice Paine / ... (5 episodes, 1987–2000) - 1987: Elphida (TV) .... Somali woman
- 1987: ScoopScoop (1987 film)Scoop is a 1987 TV film directed by Gavin Millar, adapted by William Boyd from the 1938 satirical novel Scoop by Evelyn Waugh. It was produced by Sue Birtwistle with executive producers Nick Elliott and Patrick Garland. Original music was made by Stanley Myers...
(TV) .... Mrs. Jackson - 1985: 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...
.... Landlady (1 episode, 1985) - 1983: MayburyMayburyMaybury is an area on the western edge of Edinburgh, Scotland, near South Gyle and Ingliston, named after the civil engineer Sir Henry Maybury ....
.... Mrs. Galsworthy (1 episode, 1983) - 1982: Love Is Old, Love Is New (TV) .... Ward maid
- 1981: Memoirs of a SurvivorMemoirs of a SurvivorThe Memoirs of a Survivor is a dystopian novel by Nobel Prize-winner Doris Lessing. It was first published in 1974 by Octagon Press. It was made into a film in 1981, starring Julie Christie and Nigel Hawthorne, and directed by David Gladwell.-Plot:...
.... Woman at Newsstand - 1975: Play for TodayPlay 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...
.... Lucy / ... (2 episodes, 1975–1980) - 1975: Angels .... Mrs. Jobo (2 episodes, 1975–1980)
- 1979: Empire RoadEmpire RoadEmpire Road is a British television series, made by the BBC in 1978 and 1979.The series was the first British television series to be written, acted and directed entirely by black artists...
... Mary O'Fili (1 episode, 1979) - 1979: Room ServiceRoom ServiceRoom service is an accommodation available at many hotels, whose employees bring food or other items to guests in their rooms.Room service may also refer to:- Music :...
TV series .... Mrs. McGregor (unknown episodes) - 1978: The ProfessionalsThe ProfessionalsThe Professionals or The Professional may refer to:*The Professionals , a 1977–1983 British television series*The Professionals , a 1966 Western film...
.... West Indian Woman (1 episode, 1978) - 1978: Betzi (TV) .... Sarah
- 1976: Centre Play .... Nurse (2 episodes, 1976–1977)
- 1972: Dixon of Dock GreenDixon of Dock GreenDixon of Dock Green was a popular BBC television series that ran from 1955 to 1976, and later a radio series. Despite being a drama series, it was initially produced by the BBC's light entertainment department.-Overview:...
.... Mrs. Morgan (1 episode, 1972)