
Mary grew up in Zimbabwe and came to London to train. She has been acting in film, television and theatre since 1980, and teaching alongside her acting work for 10 years. Recent acting with the acclaimed film directors Mike Leigh and Joanna Hogg led to Mary teaching improvisation for film at several drama schools in London.
Film work includes – Testament of Youth (James Kent), The Riot Club (Lone Scherfig), Paddington (Paul King), Woman in Black Angel of Death (Tom Harper) Exhibition (Joanna Hogg), Les Miserables (Tom Hooper), Suspension of Disbelief (Mike Figgis), Chatroom (Hideo Nakata), Unrelated (Joanna Hogg – Guardian & Evening Standard award for best first film, Independent Film Critic’s Award for best film), Topsy Turvy (Mike Leigh).
TV work includes – War & Peace, Partners in Crime, The Casual Vacancy, Whitechapel, Holby City, Great Expectations, The Crimson Petal and the White, Canoe Man, Antiques Rogue Show, The Thieving Headmistress, George Orwell A Life in Pictures, The Rector’s Wife, Frank Stubbs, Lovejoy, Sorry!
Theatre includes playing lead roles in Repertory Theatres all over UK. London work includes “Aunt Dan & Lemon” Royal Court, Olive Oyl in “Popeye” Arts Theatre, Maria in “Twelfth Night” for Regents Park, “Trilby & Svengali” for Shared Experience at Lyric Hammersmith, 2 years of work for Mike Alfreds at Sadlers Wells, and experimental improvised work with David Gale & David Glass Ensemble.
Known For

The People We Hate at the Wedding
Martha
2022

Enola Holmes
Grace Whitting
2020

Ted Lasso
Julie Higgins · (5 episodes)
2020

Strike
Cynthia · (2 episodes)
2017

War and Peace
Maria Bogdanovna · (1 episode)
2016

The Casual Vacancy
Monica the Librarian · (2 episodes)
2015

The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death
Woman in Tube
2014

Paddington
Master Gruber's Aunt
2014

The Riot Club
George's Mother
2014

Exhibition
Neighbour Guest
2013

Les Misérables
Ensemble Factory Women
2012

Call the Midwife
Mrs. Whitley · (1 episode)
2012

Room Service
Kyla Meeks (voice)
2012

Great Expectations
Hannah · (2 episodes)
2011

Chatroom
Psychiatrist
2010

Canoe Man
Solicitor
2010

Unrelated
Verena
2008

The Thieving Headmistress
Maureen Stapley
2006
Powers
(1 episode)
2004

George Orwell: A Life In Pictures
Eileen Blair
2003

To Kill a King
Lady Whitby
2003

Ashes and Sand
Teacher
2003

Topsy-Turvy
Miss Carlyle
1999

The Rector's Wife
Fergus's Wife · (4 episodes)
1994
Frank Stubbs Promotes
Joan · (1 episode)
1993

Lovejoy
Traffic Warden · (1 episode)
1986