Jennie Linden

Life and career

Linden was born in Worthing to Marcus and Freida Fletcher, an architect and housewife. She attended the Central School of Speech and Drama at the age of 17 on a scholarship. Her classmates included Julie Christie and Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave.

Her earliest film appearances were as the heroine in Hammer Film's Nightmare (1964) and Barbara in Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965). Her most widely known film role was as Ursula in Women in Love (1969), for which she received a BAFTA nomination, and she also appeared opposite Lee Remick and Ian Holm in the film version of Iris Murdoch's novel A Severed Head (1970). Her later film appearances included Vampira (1974), Hedda (1975), Valentino (1977), and Charlie Muffin (1979).

Wanting to raise her son in England, Linden decided not to pursue a career in Hollywood. She was considered for The Lion in Winter (1968) and The Go-Between (1970); the latter was for the lead role of Lady Marian Trimingham, for which Christie was later cast. She turned down the role of Amy in Sam Peckinpah's Straw Dogs (1971).

Linden toured in Trevor Nunn's Royal Shakespeare Company production of Hedda Gabler for two years playing Thea Elvsted, with Glenda Jackson in the title role; they later appeared together in the 1975 film adaptation.

Linden's television credits include The Avengers (episode: Lobster Quadrille, 1964), Sherlock Holmes (1965) with Douglas Wilmer and Nigel Stock, The Saint (1966), The Persuaders! (episode: To the Death, Baby, 1970), The Rivals (1970), The_Adventures_of_Black_Beauty (episode "Foul Play" in 1973), Little Lord Fauntleroy (1976), Lillie (1978) as Patsy Cornwallis-West, Chancer (1990), and Trainer (1991). She continues to do different roles and can be found on TV and stage. She is married to Chris Mann and they have a son, Rupert.