How often, by pure chance, having fallen into one or another popular project, actors become hostages of one role. And now they themselves are not happy that they once agreed to play a character who is now inextricably associated with the viewer with them. The brilliant British theater actress Julia Mackenzie, alas, did not escape this fate either. Like the previous performer of the role of Miss Marple, Geraldine McEwan, she is forever associated with the image of a lady detective for the viewer.
However, in the UK, the actress became famous not for participating in television series, but for her magnificent work on the stage. She not only plays, but she herself is a director and also a singer. Talent Mackenzie was awarded two Lawrence Olivier Prizes in the nomination for Best Musical Actress in 1982 and 1994. Unfortunately, the domestic viewer cannot see her on stage, but please see in different roles on television!
Shirley Valentine (1990)
In 1989, Julia Mackenzie was invited to the supporting role in the film by the English director Lewis Gilbert "Shirley Valentine" based on the play of the same name by W. Russell. This is an eccentric story of a Liverpool housewife, fed up with a quiet family life. Going to a Greek resort on a ticket, she decides to stay there and start a new life, shocking her husband and adult children.
The film is worth watching not only for the actress, but also for the development of horizons. The picture was marked by rave reviews from critics, prestigious awards and nominations.
“Purely English murder” (1997-2003)
D. Mackenzie took part in several episodes of the series. Then the actress left the project of her own free will, without explaining the reasons. Pure English Murder is a cult British television series that has broken all records in terms of duration and won many prestigious awards. He talks about the work and life of police officers.
Cranford (2007)
Without a role in a television series or film based on the novels by Jane Austen or Elizabeth Gaskell, the career of any British actress can be considered inferior.
Actress Julia Mackenzie did not miss her chance. In 2007, she took part in the Cranford television series, based on just three novels by E. Gaskell. The action takes place in a fictional provincial town. The lion's share of its population is women. Therefore, the appearance of a young military man causes a storm of emotions and events.
Miss Marple (2009-2013)
Say what you like, but Julia Mackenzie is familiar to the domestic audience by the role of the sweet and charming Miss Marple, who now and then gets to the right place at the right time. The role brought the actress wide fame outside the theater audience. Unraveling the intricate plot of the detectives of Agatha Christie like a ball, along the way you have the opportunity to compare two Miss Marple - D. McEwan and D. Mackenzie. The image created by the first actress has something in common with the Victorian era, she is extremely cute and welcoming. The episodes with her participation have a comic start. The Miss Marple series with Julia Mackenzie is more atmospheric and dynamic, with less irony. In their mood, individual episodes resemble a thriller rather than a classic detective story, which is also very interesting.
“Random Vacancy” (2015)
In 2015, the mini-series “Random Vacancy” consisting of only three episodes was released. It is a joint product of the American channel HBO and the British BBC. The plot is based on the book of the same name by Joan Rowling, and the script is written by Sarah Phelps.
In the fictional English town of Pagford with picturesque, sunlit cobbled streets and an ancient monastery, it would seem that a complete idyll reigns. However, look a little deeper. In fact, the city is in a state of internal war: teachers conflict with children, husbands with wives, rich with the poor.
One of the leading roles in the mini-series was performed by Julia Mackenzie. She embodied on the screen the image of the mother of the Mollison family.