Vilma Jean Napier Brown (21 July 1932 – 11 September 2021), known professionally as Vilma Hollingbery, was a British character actress. She appeared in various television programmes and films over a span of sixty years, and was known for her appearances as Claudia Wren in Psychoville, and also appeared in A Touch of Frost, the 1980 film Babylon, Doctor Who and The Bill, in which she appeared six times as different characters.[1][2][3] She also portrayed Barbara in Motherland.

Vilma Hollingbery
Born
Vilma Jean Hollingbery

(1932-07-21)21 July 1932
West Ham, Essex, England
Died11 September 2021(2021-09-11) (aged 89)
Hillingdon, London, England
NationalityBritish
OccupationActress
Spouse
(m. 1961; died 2016)
Children1

Hollingbery was married to the actor and director Michael Napier Brown, the couple had a daughter together, who also became an actress. Michael Napier Brown died in August 2016.[4]

Hollingbery died in London, on 11 September 2021, at the age of 89.[5][6][7]

Filmography

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Television
Year Title Role Notes
1967 Champion House Mim Royston Episode: "Sonata for a Solo Fiddle"
1976 BBC2 Playhouse Mrs Smith Episode: "The Mind Beyond: Meriel, the Ghost Girl"
1977 Secret Army Neighbour Episode: "Growing Up"
1978 The Sweeney Anne Monk Episode: "Money, Money, Money"
1981 When the Boat Comes In Mrs Dawson Episode: "Oh, My Charming Billy Boy"
1988 The Management Mrs Crusty
1989 The River Aunt Betty
1989 The Bill Hazel Davison Episode: "Traffic"
1991 The Bill Dorothy Strong Episode: "832 Receiving"
1992 Maigret Landlady Episode: "Maigret and the Burglar's Wife"
1992 Waiting for God Esme Sutherland Episode: "Harvey's Fiancee"
1992 Sitting Pretty Kitty Unknown episodes
1995 London Bridge Winnie Brown
1995 A Touch of Frost Jeanette Conrad Episode: "Appropriate Adults"
2001 Gimme Gimme Gimme Sister Brian May Episode: "Lollipop Man"
2003 Grass Rose 5 episodes
2003 The Bill Louisa Episode: #104
2004 Coupling Mrs M Episode: "The Naked Living Room"
2005 Doctor Who Mrs Harcourt Episode: "The Doctor Dances"
2005 The Bill Mrs Coley Episode: #320
2006 Doctors Rose Connolly Episode: "Dying Happy: Parts 1 & 2"
2007 The Bill Lena Jones Episode: "Killer on the Run"
2009–2011 Psychoville Claudia Wren Episodes: #6-#14
2011, 2014 Not Going Out Betty Episodes: "Fireworks" / "The Wedding"
2013–14 Derek Elsie
2013 Doc Martin Mrs Eddy Episode: "Nobody Likes Me"
2015 Inside No. 9 Caller Episode: "Cold Comfort"
Film
Year Film Role Notes
1980 Babylon Lady in street
1995 The Young Poisoner's Handbook Aunty Panty

References

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  1. ^ Guide, British Comedy. "Vilma Hollingbery". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  2. ^ O'Neill, Phelim (7 June 2011). "Psychoville: in a different league". the Guardian. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  3. ^ Guide, British Comedy. "Motherland Series 1, Episode 4 - The Cavalry". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  4. ^ "InYourArea". Archived from the original on 21 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Vilma Jean Brown death record". GRO Index. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Vilma Jean Napier-Brown". Probate Search. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Vilma Hollingbery". Doctor Who Guide. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
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