Lesley Manville has built a remarkable career across British film, television and theatre, with performances ranging from intimate character dramas to major international productions. For anyone searching for Lesley Manville movies and TV shows, her filmography offers plenty to explore. She made her film debut in Dance with a Stranger in 1985 and later became closely associated with acclaimed director Mike Leigh through films including Secrets & Lies, Topsy-Turvy, All or Nothing and Another Year. Her later work includes Phantom Thread, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, The Crown, Sherwood, Magpie Murders and Citadel.

Who is Lesley Ann Manville ? A brief biography

Biography Detail	Information
Full Name	Lesley Ann Manville
Date of Birth	March 12, 1956
Age	70 years (as of 2026)
Birthplace	Brighton, Sussex, England
Nationality	British
Profession	Actress
Years Active	1972–present
Known For	Phantom Thread, The Crown, Mrs Harris Goes to Paris
Notable Role	Princess Margaret in The Crown
Awards	BAFTA Award, Olivier Award
Spouse	Gary Oldman (1987–1990)
Children	Alfie Oldman
Education	Arts Educational Schools London

Lesley Manville’s Best-Known Movies

One of the most important titles in Lesley Manville’s career is Secrets & Lies (1996), directed by Mike Leigh. She plays a social worker in the acclaimed drama, which explores family relationships, identity and long-hidden secrets. Manville continued her collaboration with Leigh in Topsy-Turvy (1999), All or Nothing (2002) and Another Year (2010). These films helped establish her reputation for creating realistic, emotionally detailed characters rather than relying on conventional star performances.

Another Year is particularly important when exploring Lesley Manville movies and TV shows because it features one of her most recognized film performances. She plays Mary, a lonely woman whose life intersects with that of an older married couple. The film focuses on everyday relationships and emotional vulnerability, allowing Manville to build the character through small details and natural dialogue. Her performance earned significant awards attention and remains one of the strongest examples of her work with Mike Leigh.

Phantom Thread

In Phantom Thread (2017), Manville took on the role of Cyril Woodcock opposite Daniel Day-Lewis and Vicky Krieps. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the film follows an influential fashion designer whose carefully controlled life changes after he meets a young woman. Manville’s performance as Cyril combines restraint, authority and dry humor. The role brought her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and introduced her work to an even wider international film audience.

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris

Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022) gave Manville a very different leading role. She plays Ada Harris, a London cleaning woman who dreams of owning a Christian Dior dress and travels to Paris to make that dream possible. The film blends comedy, warmth and period drama, with Manville carrying much of the story. She also served as an executive producer, adding another dimension to her involvement in the production.

Other notable movies in her filmography include Maleficent (2014), Let Him Go (2020), Ordinary Love (2019), Misbehaviour (2020), The Critic (2023), Back to Black (2024), Queer (2024), Mr. Burton (2025) and Cold Storage (2026). These projects demonstrate the range of roles she has taken on, moving between fantasy, comedy, drama, historical stories and contemporary productions.

Lesley Manville TV Shows

Manville has also developed an impressive television career. One of her most recognizable recent roles came in The Crown, where she portrayed Princess Margaret during the later seasons. She appeared in the series from 2022 to 2023, taking over the role for the final seasons. Her performance brought a complex historical figure to life while fitting into the show’s established portrayal of the British royal family. For more: GK Barry Girlfriend: Who Is Ella Rutherford?

Another major television project is Sherwood, the BBC crime drama created by James Graham. Manville plays Julie Jackson, a character connected to the tense community at the heart of the story. The series combines a murder investigation with wider themes involving relationships, community divisions and the legacy of industrial conflict. Manville returned for the show’s later episodes, making it an important part of her recent television work.

Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders

Manville plays Susan Ryeland in Magpie Murders and its follow-up Moonflower Murders. The character is a former book editor who becomes involved in solving mysteries connected to fictional detective novels. The two series allow Manville to lead a mystery story while balancing investigation with a literary setting. She also served as an executive producer on Magpie Murders, showing her involvement behind the scenes as well as on screen.

Citadel

In the international spy series Citadel, Manville plays Dahlia Archer. The series is built around espionage, secret identities and an international intelligence organization. Her role represents another departure from the quieter British dramas that helped establish her reputation. Manville appeared in the series across its continuing run, demonstrating her ability to move comfortably into large-scale international television productions.

More Recent Lesley Manville Projects

Manville has remained highly active in the 2020s. Her recent screen work includes Grotesquerie, Disclaimer, Monster, Winter of the Crow, Mr. Burton and Cold Storage. She also returned as Susan Ryeland in Marble Hall Murders, continuing the mystery series associated with Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders. Her current credits show that she continues to work across both film and television rather than focusing on one format.

Her 2026 work also includes Midwinter Break and National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses, in which she plays the Marquise de Merteuil. Meanwhile, Escorted is listed as a 2026 television project and Jack of Spades is listed for 2027. These projects add to an already extensive career that spans several decades and multiple types of performance.

Why Lesley Manville’s Filmography Stands Out

What makes Lesley Manville’s career distinctive is the variety of characters she has played. She has appeared in intimate British dramas, Hollywood films, historical productions, mystery series, fantasy movies and international television. Her work also demonstrates a strong connection between film and television, with substantial roles in both rather than treating one medium as secondary. This makes her filmography particularly useful for viewers who enjoy character-driven performances across different genres.

For readers exploring Lesley Manville movies and TV shows, a good starting point depends on personal taste. Viewers interested in emotional drama can begin with Another Year or Secrets & Lies. Fans of period stories may prefer Phantom Thread, The Crown or Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, while mystery fans can explore Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders. Those who prefer modern television can also try Sherwood, Disclaimer or Citadel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lesley Manville’s most famous movie?

Another Year, Phantom Thread and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris are among her best-known film roles. Phantom Thread also earned her an Oscar nomination.

What TV show did Lesley Manville play Princess Margaret in?

Lesley Manville played Princess Margaret in The Crown during the show’s fifth and sixth seasons.

Was Lesley Manville in The Crown?

Yes. She portrayed Princess Margaret in The Crown from 2022 to 2023.

What mystery shows has Lesley Manville appeared in?

She plays Susan Ryeland in Magpie Murders, Moonflower Murders and Marble Hall Murders.

What was Lesley Manville’s first movie?

Her film debut was Dance with a Stranger, released in 1985.

Conclusion

Lesley Manville’s career covers more than four decades, with memorable performances in films such as Secrets & Lies, Another Year, Phantom Thread and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, alongside television successes including The Crown, Sherwood, Magpie Murders and Citadel. Her recent projects show that she remains an active and versatile performer. If you are exploring Lesley Manville movies and TV shows, her filmography offers plenty of acclaimed dramas, mysteries and character-driven stories to discover.