The family of longtime actress Geraldine McEwan says she has died following treatment for a stroke. She was 82.
McEwan was known for many roles including playing the famous Agatha Christie detective Miss Marple in 12 TV movies.
Her son and daughter said in a statement that she died Friday after suffering a severe stroke at the end of October. She had been hospitalized extensively since then.
McEwan worked for many years in theater, television and films, sharing the stage with Laurence Olivier, Albert Finney, and other top British stars.
She won many awards, including a BAFTA Best Actress prize in 1989 for her performance in "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit."
McEwan was born in Old Windsor, 20 miles (30 kilometers) west of London and made her stage debut at 14, moving into starring roles just four years later. She excelled at Shakespeare, playing major roles in "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Hamlet," and directing one of the Bard's plays.
She played Miss Marple in 12 TV episodes from 2004 to 2009, stepping down at the end of a hugely successful run as the fictional detective. Her career also included movies like "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" with Kevin Costner.
She was married for many years to Hugh Cruttwell, a former principal of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. He died in 2002. She is survived by their two children, Greg and Claudia.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More