Carol Royle

 ( Official Website ) 

Carol Buchanan Royle (born 10 February 1954) is an English actress. She is best known for playing Jenny Russell in the BBC sitcom Life Without George (1987—1989) and Lady Patricia Brewster in Heartbeat (1997—2003).

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Early life Born in Blackpool, the daughter of actor Derek Royle, Carol Royle studied drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

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Career Making her screen debut in 45 episodes of The Cedar Tree from 1977 to 1978, Royle went on to become known for her role as Jenny Russell in the BBC sitcom Life Without George, which ran for three series from 1987 to 1989, as well as her role in ITV1's 1960s-based drama Heartbeat, in which she played Austin Healey-driving Lady Patricia Brewster in four episodes. In 1989, she appeared in the prominent role of Jessica in Blackeyes, written by Dennis Potter. Other television shows Royle has appeared in are Blake's 7, The Professionals, Bergerac, Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense, Cribb, Crossroads, The Outsider, Casualty, Ladies in Charge, Crime Traveller, The Bill, Doctors, and Father Brown. Her film career includes roles in The Greek Tycoon (1978) and Tuxedo Warrior (1982).

From 2019 to 2023, Royle played Mrs Bright in the Inspector Morse prequel Endeavour, appearing in five episodes of the series.

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Personal life Royle married musician Julian Spear, son of actor Bernard Spear, in 1977. They had two children, Taran, the drummer in the band Anonymous Tip, and Talitha. Spear suffered a brain haemorrhage and died on 9 December 2024.

Her younger sister Amanda Royle is also an actress. The two played sisters in the 1990 Casualty episode "Say It With Flowers".

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Filmography

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Film

Short film

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Television

Series 2–4; 45 episodes

Series 1; Episode 8: "Duel"

Series 2; Episode 8: "A Stirring of Dust"

Series 3; Episode 4: "Dead Reckoning"

Episode 2: "Trackdown"

Episode 1: "Waxwork" (Pilot for series, Cribb)

Series 2; Episodes 3 & 4: "Family" and "The Sponge Man"

Series 1; Episode 2: "Judgement Day"

Television film

Series 1; Episode 3: "Feet Foremost"

All 6 episodes

Series 3; Episode 1: "Ninety Per Cent Proof"

Episode 11: "And the Wall Came Tumbling Down"

Episode 2: "That Was Tory"

Episode 5: "The Muse"

Episode 15: "A Still Small Shout"

Series 2; Episode 2: "Ladies in Charge" (Pilot for series)

All 6 episodes

Series 3; Episode 14: "Hedgehog Wedding"

Mini-series; Episode 1: "An Unofficial English Rose"

Series 1–3; All 20 episodes

Mini-series; All 4 episodes

Series 5; Episode 7: "Say It with Flowers"

Series 12; Episode 48: "Cheating"

Episode 3: "Fashion Shoot"

Series 3; Episode 2: "Fashion Victims"

Recurring role; 4 episodes

Series 22; Episode 5

Episodes 1 & 2: "Hide and Seek: Parts 1 & 2"

Series 17; Episodes 38 & 39: "Complicity: Parts 1 & 2"

4 episodes

Series 6; Episode 127: "Conflicts of Interest"

Mini-series; Episode 2: "Requiem for a Dove"

Series 8; 10 episodes

Series 4; Episode 7: "Father's Pride"

Series 24; Episode 20: "Dark Places"

Series 12; Episode 223: "Chelsea Girl"

Series 14; Episode 87: "What I'm Good At"

Series 30; 4 episodes

Series 5; Episode 5: "The Hand of Lucia"

Series 19; Episode 117: "The Old Toe and the New Nose"

Series 2; Episode 3: "This Cursed Hand"

Series 6 & 7; 5 episodes

Mother of Joel Deering

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External links

• target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Carol Royle at the British Film Institute

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