Other names Anna Roache Role Television actress Name Anna Cropper | Years active 1960–99 Occupation Actress | |
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Children Linus Roache, Vanya Roache Parents Margaret Cropper, Jack Cropper Movies and TV shows Cromwell, All Neat in Black Stockings, September, Man‑Eaters of India, The Old Devils Similar People William Roache, Linus Roache, Sarah Roache, James Roache, Rosalind Bennett | ||
Anna Cropper (13 May 1938 – 22 January 2007) was a British stage and television actress.
Contents
Career
Cropper studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She made her television debut as Chrysalis in The Insect Play (1960), based on the 1921 play by Czech brothers Josef and Karel Čapek. She appeared in Emergency Ward 10 three times and on Coronation Street three times in 1962. She came to prominence playing a young schizophrenic in the television play In Two Minds (The Wednesday Play, BBC, 1967) by David Mercer. which won the Writers' Guild Award for the Best Television Play of 1967.
Her film roles included appearances in All Neat in Black Stockings (1968), Cromwell (1970) and Nanou (1986). In 1972 she starred in the television production of The Exorcism and in 1975 took over the lead role in the West End stage version when actress Mary Ure died of an overdose following the play's opening night. She played Mary Hodgson, the nurse of the boys who inspired the creation of Peter Pan in the BBC docudrama The Lost Boys (1978). Other television roles included two episodes of the BBC's Play for Today, as Norah Palmer in the James MacTaggart-directed Robin Redbreast (1970), a Christmas supernatural thriller by John Bowen and Dennis Potter's play Schmoedipus (1974).
She appeared in The Jewel in the Crown (1984) and featured in Anna of the Five Towns (1985) a 4-part BBC period drama. Her last television credit is for an episode of Midsomer Murders entitled Death's Shadow (1999).
Personal life
Cropper was born in Brierfield, Lancashire, the daughter of Margaret, a stage actress and director and Jack Cropper, a dentist. The family lived on Todmorden Road in Burnley during her early life. She was married to the Coronation Street actor William Roache in 1961. The marriage ended in divorce in 1974. They had two children, son Linus Roache and daughter Vanya.
She died suddenly in January 2007, aged 68, at her home in Tangmere, West Sussex.
Filmography
Actress
1999
Midsomer Murders (TV Series) as
Claire Williams
- Death's Shadow (1999) - Claire Williams
1997
Kavanagh QC (TV Series) as
Marian Beck
- Ancient History (1997) - Marian Beck
1996
September (TV Movie) as
Edie
1995
The Affair (TV Movie) as
Mrs. Leyland
1995
Castles (TV Series) as
Margaret Castle
1995
Everyman (TV Series documentary) as
Helen Bamber
- Prisoners in Time (1995) - Helen Bamber
1994
Don't Get Me Started as
Mother (voice, uncredited)
1992
Screen Two (TV Series) as
Mrs. Mofrey / Mrs. Mortimer
- Midnight Movie (1994) - Mrs. Mofrey
- Memento Mori (1992) - Mrs. Mortimer
1994
Capital Lives (TV Series) as
Lillian
- Jealousy (1994) - Lillian
1994
A Skirt Through History (TV Series) as
Sarah Benett
- The Wreckers (1994) - Sarah Benett
1993
If You See God, Tell Him (TV Mini Series) as
Avis
- Episode #1.2 (1993) - Avis
1993
Heartbeat (TV Series) as
Helen Lessor
- Going Home (1993) - Helen Lessor
1993
Harry (TV Series) as
Mrs. Faber
- Episode #1.3 (1993) - Mrs. Faber
1993
Alleyn Mysteries (TV Series) as
Violet Duffy
- Death at the Bar (1993) - Violet Duffy
1993
The Marshal (TV Movie) as
Clementina
1993
Poirot (TV Series) as
Lady Willard
- The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb (1993) - Lady Willard
1992
Early Travellers in North America (TV Series) as
Anna Brownell Jameson
- Episode #1.4 (1992) - Anna Brownell Jameson
- Indians (1992) - Anna Brownell Jameson
1992
The Old Devils (TV Mini Series) as
Gwen Cellan-Davies
- Clapped-Out Casanovas (1992) - Gwen Cellan-Davies
- Rhiannon's Boys (1992) - Gwen Cellan-Davies
- Love, Lust and Litre Bottles (1992) - Gwen Cellan-Davies
1992
The Bill (TV Series) as
Mrs. Matthews
- Going Soft (1992) - Mrs. Matthews
1992
Moon and Son (TV Series) as
Mrs. Denmark
- Past, Present and Future (1992) - Mrs. Denmark
1989
Woof! (TV Series) as
Joyce
- Dad's Birthday (1992) - Joyce
- The Moneyspinner (1989) - Joyce
1991
Casualty (TV Series) as
Mrs. Chassnee
- Facing Up (1991) - Mrs. Chassnee
1991
Ruth Rendell Mysteries (TV Series) as
Irene Kershaw
- A New Lease of Death: Part Three (1991) - Irene Kershaw
- A New Lease of Death: Part Two (1991) - Irene Kershaw
- A New Lease of Death: Part One (1991) - Irene Kershaw
1991
Van der Valk (TV Series) as
Julie Meijers
- The Little Rascals (1991) - Julie Meijers
1990
The Child Eater (Short) as
Mrs. Jones
1990
Boon (TV Series) as
Beth Benson
- Bully Boys (1990) - Beth Benson
1990
Omnibus (TV Series documentary) as
Mother
- Van Gogh (1990) - Mother
1990
Chancer (TV Series) as
Mrs MacIver
- Wreckage (1990) - Mrs MacIver
1989
Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story (TV Movie) as
Karl's Mother
1989
A Day in Summer (TV Movie) as
Lydia Prosser
1989
Nativity Blues (TV Movie) as
Francine
1987
Worlds Beyond (TV Series) as
Mrs. Leonard
- Undying Love (1987) - Mrs. Leonard
1987
Miss Marple: Nemesis as
Anthea Bradbury-Scott
1986
Natural World (TV Series documentary) as
Maggie Corbett
- Man-Eaters of India (1986) - Maggie Corbett
1986
Call Me Mister (TV Series) as
Grace Blair
- The Creative Accountant (1986) - Grace Blair
1986
Nanou as
Nanou's mother
1985
Anna of the Five Towns (TV Mini Series) as
Mrs. Sutton
- Episode #1.4 (1985) - Mrs. Sutton
- Episode #1.3 (1985) - Mrs. Sutton
- Episode #1.2 (1985) - Mrs. Sutton
- Episode #1.1 (1985) - Mrs. Sutton
1984
The Jewel in the Crown (TV Mini Series) as
Nicky Paynton
- The Towers of Silence (1984) - Nicky Paynton
- The Day of the Scorpion (1984) - Nicky Paynton
- Daughters of the Regiment (1984) - Nicky Paynton
- Regimental Silver (1984) - Nicky Paynton
- Questions of Loyalty (1984) - Nicky Paynton
1983
Maybury (TV Series) as
Jenny
- Alice: Part 3 (1983) - Jenny
- Alice: Part 2 (1983) - Jenny
- Alice: Part 1 (1983) - Jenny
1982
Jackanory Playhouse (TV Series) as
Queen Beatrice
- The Princess and the Inventor (1982) - Queen Beatrice
1982
Praying Mantis (TV Movie) as
Gertrude
1982
Saturday Night Thriller (TV Series) as
Betty Buchus
- Where Is Betty Buchus? (1982) - Betty Buchus
1981
Nanny (TV Series) as
Antonia Rudd
- A Twist of Fate (1982) - Antonia Rudd
- Ashes to Ashes (1982) - Antonia Rudd
- Ringtime (1982) - Antonia Rudd
- Other Peoples' Babies (1981) - Antonia Rudd
- A Pinch of Dragon's Blood (1981) - Antonia Rudd
1980
BBC2 Playhouse (TV Series) as
Babs / Marge
- Preview (1982) - Babs
- Mary's Wife (1980) - Marge
1981
The Crucible (TV Movie) as
Ann Putnam
1968
ITV Playhouse (TV Series) as
Marjorie Mansion / Jean Clavering
- The Perfect House (1981) - Marjorie Mansion
- Murder: The Rest of Our Lives (1968) - Jean Clavering
1981
The Treachery Game (TV Series) as
Ruth Aird
- Episode #1.2 (1981) - Ruth Aird
- Episode #1.1 (1981) - Ruth Aird
1980
The Two Ronnies (TV Series) as
Brian
- Episode #8.3 (1980) - Brian
1980
Very Like a Whale (TV Movie) as
Journalist
1979
Shoestring (TV Series) as
Jean Hansford
- Higher Ground (1979) - Jean Hansford
1978
Crown Court (TV Series) as
Celia Harker
- Sugar and Spice: Part 3 (1979) - Celia Harker
- Sugar and Spice: Part 2 (1979) - Celia Harker
- Sugar and Spice: Part 1 (1979) - Celia Harker
- To Catch a Thief: Part 1 (1978) - Celia Harker
1978
Tycoon (TV Series) as
Karen
- Sleeping on Grass (1978) - Karen
1978
The Lost Boys (TV Mini Series) as
Mary Hodgson
- An Awfully Big Adventure (1978) - Mary Hodgson
- Dark and Sinister Man (1978) - Mary Hodgson
- We Set Out to Be Wrecked (1978) - Mary Hodgson
1977
1990 (TV Series) as
Susie Carter
- Whatever Happened to Cardinal Wolsey? (1977) - Susie Carter
1977
The Cost of Loving (TV Series) as
Mrs. Bostock
- Albert's Part (1977) - Mrs. Bostock
1977
Television Club (TV Series) as
Auntie Val
- A Place Like Home: Nick (1977) - Auntie Val
- A Place Like Home: Vicky (1977) - Auntie Val
- A Place Like Home: Lydia (1977) - Auntie Val
- A Place Like Home: Janice (1977) - Auntie Val
- A Place Like Home: Pud (1977) - Auntie Val
- A Place Like Home: Errol (1977) - Auntie Val
- A Place Like Home: Jimmy (1977) - Auntie Val
1976
Emmerdale Farm (TV Series) as
Nan Wheeler
- Episode #1.318 (1976) - Nan Wheeler
- Episode #1.317 (1976) - Nan Wheeler
- Episode #1.316 (1976) - Nan Wheeler
- Episode #1.315 (1976) - Nan Wheeler
- Episode #1.314 (1976) - Nan Wheeler
- Episode #1.313 (1976) - Nan Wheeler
1975
Couples (TV Series) as
Mrs. Laker
1975
Old Times (TV Movie) as
Kate
1972
Softly Softly: Task Force (TV Series) as
Barbara Broszac / Pat Nolan
- Bargains (1975) - Barbara Broszac
- Killer (1972) - Pat Nolan
1974
Rooms (TV Series) as
Monica Webster
- Monica: Part Two (1974) - Monica Webster
- Monica: Part 1 (1974) - Monica Webster
1974
Footsteps (Short) as
Iris
1974
Dial M for Murder (TV Series) as
Det. Chief Insp. Green
- Both Hands Free (1974) - Det. Chief Insp. Green
1970
Play for Today (TV Series) as
Elizabeth Carter / Norah Palmer
- Schmoedipus (1974) - Elizabeth Carter
- Robin Redbreast (1970) - Norah Palmer
1971
Armchair Theatre (TV Series) as
Joanna / Olga
- Amy, Wonderful Amy (1974) - Joanna
- Brown Skin Gal, Stay Home and Mind Bay-Bee (1971) - Olga
1974
Crown Matrimonial (TV Movie) as
Princess Mary
1973
Spy Trap (TV Series) as
Penny Chance
- A Hero's Return (1973) - Penny Chance
1973
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club (TV Mini Series) as
Ann Dorland
- Execution Day (1973) - Ann Dorland
- That Damned Dorland Woman (1973) - Ann Dorland
- Mr. Oliver (1973) - Ann Dorland
- Mysterious Circumstances (1973) - Ann Dorland
1972
Dead of Night (TV Series) as
Rachel
- The Exorcism (1972) - Rachel
1972
Country Matters (TV Series) as
Nan
- Crippled Bloom (1972) - Nan
1972
The Man Outside (TV Series) as
Myra
- Appointment to View (1972) - Myra
1972
Mistress of Hardwick (TV Series) as
Arbella
- Royal Prisoner (1972) - Arbella
- This Costly Countess (1972) - Arbella
- Cousin to King James (1972) - Arbella
- An Insatiable Dream (1972) - Arbella
- They Expect a New Queen (1972) - Arbella
1972
The Moonstone (TV Series) as
Rosanna Spearman
- Episode #1.4 (1972) - Rosanna Spearman
- Episode #1.3 (1972) - Rosanna Spearman (voice)
- Episode #1.2 (1972) - Rosanna Spearman
- Episode #1.1 (1972) - Rosanna Spearman
1971
Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series) as
Lynda
- Gun Play (1971) - Lynda
1971
Take Three Girls (TV Series) as
Ida
- The Company of Madmen (1971) - Ida
- The Private Sector (1971) - Ida
1970
Cromwell as
Ruth Carter
1970
Z Cars (TV Series) as
Helen Carter
- Eleanor Rigby Slept Here: Part 2 (1970) - Helen Carter
- Eleanor Rigby Slept Here: Part 1 (1970) - Helen Carter
1969
W. Somerset Maugham (TV Series) as
Kathleen Skinner
- Before the Party (1969) - Kathleen Skinner
1969
The First Lady (TV Series) as
Alison Evesby
- All in a Good Cause (1969) - Alison Evesby
1969
All Neat in Black Stockings as
Sis
1969
Imperial Palace (TV Mini Series) as
Violet Powler
- Declaration (1969) - Violet Powler
- Departures (1969) - Violet Powler
- Negotiation (1969) - Violet Powler
- Arrivals (1969) - Violet Powler
1968
Pere Goriot (TV Mini Series) as
Victorine
- Vautrin (1968) - Victorine
- The Mandarin (1968) - Victorine
- Gilded Youth (1968) - Victorine
1968
Sanctuary (TV Series) as
Sister Catherine
- Insurrection's Child (1968) - Sister Catherine
1967
City '68 (TV Series) as
Carol
- Son of the City (1967) - Carol
1967
Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV Series) as
Fiona Hadley
- Criss-Cross (1967) - Fiona Hadley
1967
Angel Pavement (TV Series) as
Miss Cadnam
- They Go Home (1967) - Miss Cadnam
- Arabian Nights (1967) - Miss Cadnam
- They Arrive (1967) - Miss Cadnam
1967
The Wednesday Play (TV Series) as
Kate Winter
- In Two Minds (1967) - Kate Winter
1961
Emergency-Ward 10 (TV Series) as
April Sands / Eileen Burton
- A Little Learning (1966) - Eileen Burton
- Episode #1.419 (1961) - April Sands
- Episode #1.415 (1961) - April Sands
- Episode #1.414 (1961) - April Sands
- Episode #1.413 (1961) - April Sands
- Episode #1.412 (1961) - April Sands
- Episode #1.411 (1961) - April Sands
1966
Redcap (TV Series) as
Penny Amis
- An Ambush Among Friends (1966) - Penny Amis
1966
The Spies (TV Series) as
Jane Patrick
- Go Ahead, I Only Live Here (1966) - Jane Patrick
1965
Mogul (TV Series) as
Pat
- Meet Miss Mogul (1965) - Pat
1965
The Mind of the Enemy (TV Mini Series) as
Anthea Fairside
- The Fatal Slip (1965) - Anthea Fairside
- Process of Elimination (1965) - Anthea Fairside
- A Forcing Bid (1965) - Anthea Fairside
- The Trap (1965) - Anthea Fairside
- The New Member (1965) - Anthea Fairside
1965
Sherlock Holmes (TV Series) as
Mrs. St. Clair
- The Man with the Twisted Lip (1965) - Mrs. St. Clair
1964
Story Parade (TV Series) as
Priscilla
- Brake Pedal Down (1964) - Priscilla
1964
Silas Marner (TV Series) as
Sarah Weston
- A New Life (1964) - Sarah Weston
- Courtship and Crime (1964) - Sarah Weston
1964
The Protectors (TV Series) as
Lucy MacNally
- The Loop Men (1964) - Lucy MacNally
1963
First Night (TV Series) as
Elsa
- Funny Noises with Their Mouths (1963) - Elsa
1963
The Odd Man (TV Series) as
Ruth Jenkins
- A Last Tilt at the Windmill (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
- A Pattern of Little Silver Devils (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
- The Saga of Johnny Mac (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
- Prince on a White Horse (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
- The Betrayal of Ambrose Fleech (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
- This Stuff's Thicker Than Water (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
- The Town That Dies at Eight (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
- Yesterday Is for Psychiatrists (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
- The Last Bright Hope of Georgia Snow (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
- The Pretty Silver Game (1963) - Ruth Jenkins
1963
The Birth of a Private Man (TV Movie) as
Linda
1962
No Hiding Place (TV Series) as
Terry
- The Front Man (1962) - Terry
1962
Coronation Street (TV Series) as
Joan Akers
- Episode #1.191 (1962) - Joan Akers
- Episode #1.190 (1962) - Joan Akers
- Episode #1.189 (1962) - Joan Akers
- Episode #1.188 (1962) - Joan Akers
1960
BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series) as
Lucy / Chrysalis
- The Rivals (1962) - Lucy
- Twentieth Century Theatre: The Insect Play (1960) - Chrysalis
1961
Family Solicitor (TV Series) as
Susan Winthrop
- Slander (1961) - Susan Winthrop
1961
Harpers West One (TV Series) as
Yvonne Seymour
- Episode #1.4 (1961) - Yvonne Seymour
1961
Deadline Midnight (TV Series) as
Beth Gibson
- Doggo (1961) - Beth Gibson
1960
Probation Officer (TV Series) as
Janet Davis / Janet David / Audrey Mason
- Episode #2.14 (1960) - Janet Davis
- Episode #2.13 (1960) - Janet David
- Episode #2.7 (1960) - Audrey Mason
Self
1989
Five Women Painters (TV Series documentary) as
Winifred's Voice
- Winifred Nicholson: Not Nailed Down (1989) - Winifred's Voice (voice)
1977
Kossoff and Company (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.6 (1977) - Self
1970
Review (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- The Friends (1970) - Self
References
Anna Cropper Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA