Polly Walker is now acting in the popular period drama Bridgerton, but over 30 years ago she participated in an adaptation of a Jane Austen novel.
The 58-year-old actress, who plays domineering mother Lady Portia Featherington in the Netflix series, has appeared on television for decades.
Polly began her career as a ballet dancer, but a leg injury in her teens led her to pursue acting roles.
She studied at Drama Centre London before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she played small roles for six months before landing her first TV job.
Her first significant role was in the 1990 television drama Lorna Doone, followed by appearances in Patriot Games, The Trial, Silver, and Restoration before playing Jane Fairfax in Douglas McGrath’s 1996 adaptation of Jane Austen.
Polly, the title character’s adversary, co-starred with Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Colette, Alan Cumming, and Ewan McGregor.
Polly seemed to have not aged at all in the 28 years since the film was produced.
Stills from the film show her with Ewan, who played her character’s fiancé, Frank Churchill, a fleeting love interest for Emma.
Polly went on to star in the BBC drama series State of Play in 2003, and in 2006, she was nominated for a Golden Globe for her part in the drama series Rom.
She has also appeared in Prisoners’ Wives, Line of Duty, Marple at Bertam’s Hotel, Cane, Mr Selfridge and Pennyworth.
In 2020, she played Lady Lunete, the Queen Regent and mother of Uther Pendragon, in the Netflix series Cursed.
That same year, she appeared in the first season of Bridgerton and has since appeared in the subsequent two seasons, most notably sharing the spotlight with the character’s daughter Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), who is the star of the plot this time around.
Since 2008, the actress has been married to former actor Laurence Penry-Jones, Rupert’s brother.
Bridgerton is streaming on Netflix.
