
Angela Pleasence, best known for her roles in Happy Valley and Coronation Street, has died at the age of 84.
Her agency, Waring McKenna, confirmed the news in a social media post.
âWe are very sad to announce the passing of our dear client, Angela Pleasence,â it reads.
âWhile never defined by any one genre, her contribution to the British industry remains a distinctive and much-admired part of her legacy. Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.â

Who was Angela Pleasence?
Angela Pleasence (full name Daphne Anne Angela Pleasence) was an English actress whose career spanned nearly six decades.
She made her on-screen debut in 1965âs Armchair Mystery Theatre before landing a role in Coronation Street as Monica Sutton in 1968.
From there, she became a familiar face across British TV, appearing in Casualty, The Bill, Doctor Who, and Agatha Christieâs Poirot.
One of her most memorable later roles came in 2016, when she played Winnie in Happy Valley â an elderly woman who helps Sarah Lancashireâs Catherine with a trafficking victim.
She also appeared in more than 20 films, including 1984âs A Christmas Carol and Martin Scorseseâs Gangs of New York.
âWe were honoured to represent Angela, who built a career of quiet distinction spanning more than five decades,â Waring McKennaâs statement continues.
âAfter training at RADA, she made her stage debut in 1964 as Titaniaâin a production of A Midsummer Nightâs Dream at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. She went on to perform at the National Theatre and in the West End in productions including Ghetto, The Hothouse, and The Cherry Orchard.
âAngela also became closely associated with classic British horror, delivering memorable performances in films such as From Beyond the Grave, The Godsend, and Martin Scorseseâs Gangs of New York. In these roles, she brought remarkable depth and unease to complex, often enigmatic characters.â

Angela Pleasenceâs famous father
You may recognise the surname â Angela was the daughter of actor Donald Pleasence.
He was best known for playing Dr. Loomis in the Halloween franchise, as well as Blofeld in the James Bond films.
They only appeared on-screen together twice: in 1974âs From Beyond the Grave and 1982âs The Barchester Chronicles.


