Jemma Churchill

**Jemma Churchill: A Diverse Talent in Film and Television**

Jemma Churchill is an accomplished actress celebrated for her roles across various television genres. One of her most memorable performances was as Nanny Lyons in the iconic BBC series *Upstairs Downstairs*. Recently, she has appeared in the crime comedy series *Agatha Raisin* on Sky TV, where she portrays the character Freda. Jemma also made a notable appearance in the BBC's *Five(ish) Doctors Reboot*, a humorous tribute to the 50th anniversary of *Doctor Who*, where she plays a fictionalized version of herself.

Her acting journey began at the prestigious Royal Court Youth Theatre in London during the 1970s, where she collaborated with notable figures like Danny Boyle and Katrin Cartlidge. Following her training at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, she made her film debut in Mai Zetterling's *Scrubbers*, focusing on the lives of borstal girls.

Growing up in a family immersed in the entertainment industry, Jemma was influenced by her parents, renowned actors and writers Pauline Yates and Donald Churchill. Her father penned over 30 television plays in the 1960s and 1970s, while her mother is best remembered for her role in *The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin*.

Throughout her career, Jemma has worked extensively in film and television, often appearing in popular series such as *Doctors*, *Holby City*, and *Waterloo Road*. She is passionate about independent cinema, recently contributing to projects like *Deny Everything* and *Burn The Clock*. Additionally, she produced and starred in *Beached* and co-founded Two Tree Island Productions with screenwriter Elizabeth Heery, which won the Best Short Fiction Film at the Southend Film Festival in 2012, a recognition celebrated by industry figures like Ray Winstone and Perry Benson.