Sheila Reid (born 21 December 1937) is a Scottish actress. An original member of the Royal National Theatre in 1963, she played Bianca in the National's 1965 film version of Othello, with Laurence Olivier in the title role. Her other film appearances include Brazil (1985), The Winter Guest (1997) and Containment (2015). In her later career, she is known for playing Madge Harvey in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2016).
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Education
Born in Glasgow, Reid grew up in Bridge of Weir, Scotland, before her father's army career took the family to India. She was then educated at Moreton Hall School, a boarding independent school for girls, near the market town of Oswestry in Shropshire. Reid returned to the school to read 'The Four Quartets' by T. S. Eliot, at the Old Moretonian Grand Centenary Reunion celebration in 2014.
Career
Reid has had a long and distinguished career in theatre, film and television. She worked with Laurence Olivier, at The Royal National Theatre in London, and with Ingmar Bergman and Elliott Gould.
Film and television
During the 1960s, Reid appeared in Armchair Theatre, Tales of Mystery, Z-Cars, Love Story, Knock on Any Door, and Theatre 625.
She took on the role of Antoinette Plucheux in the BBC's television film adaptation of the 1907 French stage play A Flea in Her Ear.
in 1970, she appeared as Maria in the episode 'Twelfth Night' of ITV drama anthology series ITV Sunday Night Theatre.
On 14 July 1971, she starred in the Ingmar Bergman directed film The Touch. On 29 September 1971, she appeared in BBC One's drama series Owen, M.D. as Mrs. Shackles in the episode "The Whole Hog, Part 1". She returned to the role as Mrs. Shackles once more in the episode "The Whole Hog, Part 2" which aired on 30 September 1971. In 1973, Reid returned to the series for three more episodes, this time as a different character, Mabel Simpson, in the episodes "Water Under the Bridge" (22 April 1973), "The Love Game" (3 June 1973) and "Father of the Man" (6 May 1973).
In 1972, she appeared in BBC Two's drama anthology series Thirty-Minute Theatre as Mrs. Berry in the episode "And for My Next Trick". On 2 March 1973, she appeared in ITV drama series Justice as Madge in the episode "The Whole Truth?". On 22 May 1975, she appeared in BBC One's drama anthology series Play for Today as Vanessa Bagley in the episode "Brassneck". On 29 December 1975, she appeared in BBC One's drama series Play of the Month as Lottie Grady in the episode "When We Are Married".
In 1976, she appeared in Australian miniseries The Emigrants as May Parker in the episode "Chances for the Children". She returned to the role of May Parker twice more in the episode "Endeavour" which aired on 16 November 1976 and "13,000 Miles Away" which aired on 23 November 1976.
In 1978, she appeared in BBC One's comedy drama series All Creatures Great and Small as Mrs. Donovan in the episode "Practice Makes Perfect". She returned to the role of Mrs. Donovan once more in the episode 'Spring Fever' (1990).
Roles in theatre
In 1963, she starred as Fio Bates in Half a Sixpence at the Cambridge Theatre in London.
In 1993, she starred as Beggar Woman in the London revival of Sweeney Todd at the Royal National Theatre. In 1996, she starred as Celestine in Martin Guerre: The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre in London. In 1998, she starred as Jack's Mother in Into the Woods at the Donmar Warehouse in London.
In 2015 she played Mrs. Fiedke in the National Theatre of Scotland's production of Laurie Sansom's adaptation of Muriel Spark's novella, The Driver's Seat.
In 2017, she starred as Gloria in Silver Lining, a new sitcom written by Sandi Toksvig, at the Rose Theatre, Kingston.
Personal life
Reid was formerly married to actor Julian Curry. On 11 April 2008, after 32 years together, she and partner Terry Bullen were married in London, at a private ceremony watched by 12 close friends.
She is involved with charity Plan International.
Filmography
Video Game credits
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers (2020) as Master Matoya (taking over the role from Sheila Steafel, who died in 2019)
Select National Theatre credits
The Master Builder (1964)
Othello (1964/1965)
The Crucible (1965) directed by Laurence Olivier
Love for Love (1965)
Three Sisters (1967/1968) directed by Olivier
Home and Beauty (1968/1969)
Love's Labour's Lost (1968)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1993)
Other selected theatre credits
Martin Guerre: Prince Edward Theatre, London (1996)
The Importance of Being Earnest: Theatre Royal Haymarket, London (1999)
Pericles, Prince of Tyre: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, London (2015)
Troilus and Cressida: Royal Shakespeare Company (2018)