Glenda Jackson ‘delighted’ to be making TV comeback after more than 25 years

Glenda Jackson
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Glenda to star in new BBC1 drama

Double Oscar winner Glenda Jackson has expressed her “delight” at returning to our screens for the first time in over 25 years.

The 83-year-old will star in a new BBC1 adaptation of Emma Healey’s best-selling 2014 novel, Elizabeth is Missing.

Glenda, who was last seen on TV back in 1992’s The Secret Life of Arnold Bax, will play the role of Maud in the one-off feature length drama, which has been adapted by Andrea Gibb.

Glenda Jackson on Morecambe and Wise Show

Glenda famously had a great time as Cleopatra on The Morecambe and Wise Show

Elizabeth is Missing follows dementia sufferer Maud, who’s convinced that something terrible has happened when her best friend, Elizabeth, vanishes.

Maud sets about trying to solve the mystery, which turns into a race against time as her dementia worsens. Can Maud discover the truth before she loses herself completely?

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The former Labour MP said: “Emma’s novel and Andrea’s screenplay paint the most striking portrait of a woman in the grip of a devastating condition. I am delighted to be making my return to television to play Maud, a character it’s impossible not to be charmed and moved by.”

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, added: “We are thrilled that Glenda Jackson is returning to the BBC and will be at the heart of this inspiring and extraordinary tale. Andrea Gibb’s brilliantly crafted script and adaptation of Elizabeth Is Missing explores important themes told through emotion, warmth and humour.”

Glenda won her first Best Actress Oscar in 1971 for Ken Russell’s adaptation of the D.H. Lawrence classic, Women in Love. She claimed a second Best Actress Oscar in 1974 for the romantic comedy, A Touch of Class.

On television she memorably starred in the BBC series Elizabeth R and famously popped up as Cleopatra on the Morecambe and Wise Show.

Elizabeth is Missing, starring Glenda Jackson, will begin filming this summer in Scotland.

Main Glenda Jackson picture: Getty images

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

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David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

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