ZODIACLOG
London, April 13, 2025 — Jean Marsh, the esteemed British actress and writer re
nowned for co-creating and starring in the groundbreaking 1970s television series Upstairs, Downstairs, passed away peacefully at her London home on Sunday due to complications related to dementia. She was 90.
Marsh’s portrayal of Rose Buck, the head parlour maid in the Edwardian-era Bellamy household, earned her the 1975 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. The series, which she co-created with fellow actress Eileen Atkins, delved into the intricate class dynamics of early 20th-century England and garnered seven Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award during its original run from 1971 to 1975.
Born Jean Lyndsey Torren Marsh on July 1, 1934, in Stoke Newington, London, she developed an early passion for the performing arts, choosing ballet and theatre over traditional career paths. Her acting career spanned several decades, with notable film appearances in Cleopatra (1963), Frenzy (1972), The Eagle Has Landed (1976), Return to Oz (1985), and Willow (1988), where she portrayed the villainous Queen Bavmorda.
Marsh also made significant contributions to the Doctor Who universe, portraying characters such as Joan of England in The Crusade, the companion Sara Kingdom alongside the First Doctor, and later a villain opposite the Seventh Doctor.
In addition to her acting accolades, Marsh co-created the 1991 period drama The House of Eliott, further cementing her legacy as a pioneer in British television. Her contributions to drama were recognized in 2012 when she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Marsh’s personal life included a marriage to actor Jon Pertwee, known for his role as the Third Doctor in Doctor Who, from 1955 until their divorce in 1960.
Jean Marsh’s enduring impact on television and her trailblazing work in exploring class narratives continue to influence and inspire.
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