Lesley Manville Movies and TV Shows A Guide to Her Most Notable Roles

Lesley Manville has built one of the most varied acting careers in British film and television. From intimate character dramas to major Hollywood productions, she has repeatedly moved between the stage, independent cinema, prestige television, and mainstream entertainment.

For viewers searching for Lesley Manville movies and TV shows, her filmography can initially seem overwhelming. She has worked with acclaimed filmmaker Mike Leigh, appeared in The Crown, taken leading roles in television mysteries, and played memorable supporting characters in films such as Phantom Thread, Maleficent, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Back to Black, and Queer. Her recent credits also include Citadel, Grotesquerie, Disclaimer, Monster, and other film and television projects.

The best way to explore her career is not simply to look at a chronological list. Her work reveals several distinct phases, with different types of characters and storytelling styles.

Who Is Lesley Manville?

Lesley Manville is an English actress from Brighton, East Sussex, whose career spans film, television, and theater. She began working professionally at a young age and developed extensive stage experience before becoming widely recognized for her screen performances.

One of the most important creative relationships in her career has been with filmmaker Mike Leigh. Manville appeared in several of Leigh’s films, including High Hopes, Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy, All or Nothing, Vera Drake, and Another Year.

Her work is particularly notable for its attention to complicated, recognizable characters. Rather than being defined by one particular genre, she has played mothers, professionals, aristocrats, socialites, investigators, historical figures, and deeply troubled characters.

Lesley Manville Movies Worth Knowing

Her movie career includes critically acclaimed dramas, historical productions, fantasy films, comedies, and contemporary stories. These are some of the most useful starting points for viewers discovering her work.

Another Year

Another Year is one of the most important films in Manville’s career. Directed by Mike Leigh, the 2010 drama follows Tom and Gerri, a married couple whose relatively stable life contrasts with the emotional struggles of people around them.

Manville plays Mary, a lonely and emotionally vulnerable woman whose connection with the central couple becomes increasingly complicated. The role demonstrated her ability to communicate difficult emotions without relying on exaggerated performances.

Her work in the film received significant awards attention, including a National Board of Review Best Actress win and major award nominations.

All or Nothing

Released in 2002, All or Nothing is another collaboration between Manville and Mike Leigh. She plays Penny, a supermarket cashier living with a taxi driver and their children in a working-class London environment.

The movie is a strong example of Leigh’s character-driven filmmaking and Manville’s ability to make everyday experiences feel dramatically significant. It is especially useful for viewers interested in the part of her career before her later international recognition.

Vera Drake

In Vera Drake, Manville appears in a supporting role in Mike Leigh’s acclaimed 2004 drama. The film centers on a working-class woman whose secret activities create serious consequences for her family.

The movie offers another example of the naturalistic acting style associated with many of Manville’s collaborations with Leigh. Her role is part of an ensemble designed to make the social environment surrounding the central character feel authentic.

Topsy-Turvy

Topsy-Turvy takes audiences into the world of Victorian theater and the partnership behind the Gilbert and Sullivan operas.

Manville plays Lucy Gilbert, also known as Kitty. The 1999 film is particularly interesting for viewers who want to explore her earlier work and her recurring collaboration with Mike Leigh.

Phantom Thread

For many American audiences, Phantom Thread is an especially recognizable entry point into Lesley Manville’s movies.

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the 2017 drama stars Daniel Day-Lewis as fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock. Manville plays Cyril Woodcock, his highly controlled and formidable sister.

Her performance earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

The role also illustrates an important feature of Manville’s screen presence: she can make a character powerful through restraint, timing, facial expressions, and carefully controlled dialogue.

Maleficent

Manville also stepped into the world of mainstream fantasy with Disney’s Maleficent. She played Flittle, one of the three fairy guardians.

The film gave her a very different type of role from the psychologically realistic characters associated with her Mike Leigh collaborations. She later returned as Flittle in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

Let Him Go

In 2020’s Let Him Go, Manville plays Blanche Weboy, a character dramatically different from many of her earlier roles.

The film stars Kevin Costner and Diane Lane and combines family drama with thriller elements. Manville’s performance adds a darker dimension to the story and demonstrates her willingness to take on more unsettling characters.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris offers a much lighter showcase for Manville.

She plays Ada Harris, a London housekeeper whose dream of owning a Dior dress leads her to Paris. The film combines comedy, warmth, fashion, and period storytelling.

Manville also served as an executive producer on the film, making it particularly notable within her filmography.

Back to Black

Manville appeared as Cynthia Levy in Back to Black, the 2024 biographical drama about singer Amy Winehouse.

The film added another contemporary cultural figure to a career that has frequently moved between historical drama and modern character stories.

Queer

In Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Manville appears as Dr. Cotter. The film stars Daniel Craig and is based on William S. Burroughs’ novel.

Her involvement continues a pattern visible throughout her career: appearing in ambitious projects alongside major contemporary filmmakers and performers.

Lesley Manville TV Shows to Add to Your Watchlist

Manville’s television work is just as important as her movie career. She has appeared in historical dramas, crime series, mysteries, prestige productions, and international streaming shows.

The Crown

One of the most recognizable Lesley Manville TV shows is The Crown.

Manville joined the Netflix historical drama as Princess Margaret in its later seasons, taking over the role from Helena Bonham Carter. Her portrayal covers a later period in the princess’s life and explores Margaret’s relationships, public responsibilities, family tensions, and changing position within the royal family.

Her performance received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

For viewers primarily familiar with Manville from independent movies, The Crown provides an easy introduction to her work in large-scale television drama.

Mum

Mum is a particularly interesting television role because it allows Manville to work in a quieter, more intimate comedy-drama setting.

She plays Cathy, a recently widowed woman navigating family relationships and a changing personal life. The series relies heavily on character interaction and subtle emotional shifts, making it a natural fit for Manville’s strengths.

Harlots

In the period drama Harlots, Manville plays Lydia Quigley, a brothel owner competing for power and influence in 18th-century London.

The character is considerably more ruthless than many of Manville’s other roles. The series gives her an opportunity to explore ambition, rivalry, manipulation, and survival in a historical setting.

Sherwood

Sherwood is another major television credit for Manville. The BBC drama is set in a Nottinghamshire community affected by a murder investigation and longstanding tensions.

Manville plays Julie Jackson, becoming part of an ensemble cast exploring the effects of violence, community division, policing, and unresolved history.

The series demonstrates her ability to anchor serious contemporary drama rather than relying solely on period productions.

Magpie Murders

Mystery fans should also know Magpie Murders.

Manville plays Susan Ryeland, a book editor who becomes involved in a mystery connected to a bestselling crime novelist. The series moves between a contemporary investigation and the fictional world of a classic detective story.

Apple’s current listings also identify Manville with the follow-up Moonflower Murders and the upcoming Marble Hall Murders, continuing the Susan Ryeland character across the mystery series.

Citadel

Manville takes a very different direction in the spy-action series Citadel, where she plays Dahlia Archer.

The role places her within a global action franchise rather than the intimate British dramas that defined much of her earlier career. Her participation demonstrates the breadth of projects she has taken on in recent years.

Disclaimer

In Apple’s Disclaimer, Manville plays Nancy Brigstocke. The psychological thriller stars Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline and uses a layered narrative involving secrets, identity, and personal consequences.

It is another example of Manville’s growing presence in high-profile streaming productions.

Grotesquerie

Manville also appeared in Ryan Murphy’s horror series Grotesquerie, playing Nurse Redd.

The role is a notable departure from her period dramas and grounded British character work, giving viewers another opportunity to see her in a contemporary genre production.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story

More recently, Manville appeared in Monster: The Ed Gein Story as Bernice Worden. The series forms part of the Monster anthology and adds another darker, real-world-inspired project to her recent television credits.

What Makes Lesley Manville’s Filmography Stand Out?

The variety of Lesley Manville movies and TV shows is arguably one of the most interesting aspects of her career.

She has moved comfortably between:

• British social realism
• Period dramas
• Historical television
• Psychological thrillers
• Mystery series
• Fantasy films
• Comedy-drama
• Horror
• Action and espionage
• Literary adaptations
• Biographical films

Her career also demonstrates the value of strong character acting. Manville does not need to be the central protagonist for a performance to become memorable. In Phantom Thread, Maleficent, The Crown, Harlots, and Citadel, for example, she occupies very different dramatic spaces while maintaining a distinctive screen presence.

Her extensive theater background is another important part of that versatility. Her stage credits include productions such as Ghosts, The Visit, Oedipus, and Les Liaisons Dangereuses. In 2026, she appeared as Marquise de Merteuil in the National Theatre production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses.

Where Should You Start With Lesley Manville?

The best starting point depends on the type of story you enjoy.

If you prefer serious character dramas, start with Another Year, All or Nothing, or Vera Drake.

If you enjoy fashion and psychological drama, Phantom Thread is an obvious choice.

For historical television, try The Crown or Harlots.

For mystery stories, Magpie Murders is a strong introduction to her television work.

For fantasy, Maleficent offers a completely different side of her career.

For contemporary British drama, Sherwood provides another compelling option.

And if you prefer modern streaming thrillers, Disclaimer, Citadel, and Grotesquerie show how broadly her career has expanded.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lesley Manville Movies and TV Shows

What is Lesley Manville best known for?

Lesley Manville is widely recognized for films including Another Year, All or Nothing, Vera Drake, and Phantom Thread, as well as television roles in The Crown, Mum, Harlots, Sherwood, and Magpie Murders.

Was Lesley Manville in The Crown?

Yes. Manville played Princess Margaret in the later seasons of The Crown. Her performance earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

What movie earned Lesley Manville an Oscar nomination?

Manville received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Cyril Woodcock in Phantom Thread.

Did Lesley Manville work with Mike Leigh?

Yes. Manville has a long professional association with filmmaker Mike Leigh. Their collaborations include High Hopes, Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy, All or Nothing, Vera Drake, and Another Year.

What role did Lesley Manville play in Phantom Thread?

She played Cyril Woodcock, the sister and business partner of Daniel Day-Lewis’s character, Reynolds Woodcock.

Was Lesley Manville in Maleficent?

Yes. She played the fairy Flittle in Maleficent and returned for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

What character does Lesley Manville play in Magpie Murders?

Manville plays Susan Ryeland, a book editor who becomes involved in a mystery connected to a crime novelist.

Is Lesley Manville in Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris?

Yes. She stars as Ada Harris and also served as an executive producer on the film.

What recent TV shows has Lesley Manville appeared in?

Her recent television credits include Citadel, Disclaimer, Grotesquerie, and Monster: The Ed Gein Story.

What is Lesley Manville’s newest work?

Her recent credits include Cold Storage, Midwinter Break, Monster: The Ed Gein Story, and the 2026 National Theatre production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Apple also lists Marble Hall Murders as a new Susan Ryeland project.

Conclusion

Exploring Lesley Manville movies and TV shows reveals a career built on remarkable range rather than one signature genre. She has worked repeatedly with Mike Leigh, earned an Oscar nomination for Phantom Thread, portrayed Princess Margaret in The Crown, led the mystery series Magpie Murders, and taken roles in productions ranging from Maleficent to Citadel and Disclaimer.

For new viewers, there is no single required starting point. Another Year highlights her dramatic strengths, Phantom Thread showcases her precision in a major Hollywood production, while The Crown, Magpie Murders, and Sherwood demonstrate the breadth of her television career.

Taken together, these movies and shows make Manville’s filmography particularly rewarding to explore: the roles may look very different from one another, but they consistently reveal an actor comfortable with complex characters, demanding material, and dramatically diverse worlds.