Haydn Gwynne, the acclaimed British actress best known for her roles in Drop the Dead Donkey, The Windsors, and The Crown, has passed away at the age of 66. Her family confirmed the news on October 21, 2023, stating that she died peacefully in her sleep after a long illness.
Gwynne was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, on January 1, 1957. She studied acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After graduating, she began her career in theater, appearing in productions such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Importance of Being Earnest.
Gwynne’s breakthrough role came in 1990 when she was cast as Rosie O’Grady in the BBC sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey. The show was a critical and commercial success, and Gwynne’s performance earned her a British Comedy Award for Best Actress in 1993.
After Drop the Dead Donkey ended in 1998, Gwynne continued to work in both television and theater. She appeared in popular shows such as Doctor Who, Midsomer Murders, and Call the Midwife. She also had recurring roles in the period dramas The Crown and The Windsors.
In addition to her work on screen, Gwynne was also a successful stage actress. She appeared in productions of West End shows such as Les Misérables, Chicago, and Wicked. She was also nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the musical Billy Elliot.
Gwynne was a versatile and talented actress who excelled in a variety of roles. She was known for her comedic timing, her dramatic chops, and her warm and engaging personality. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and fans alike.
Early Life and Career of Haydn Gwynne
Haydn Gwynne was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, on January 1, 1957. Her father, Haydn Gwynne Sr., was a coal miner, and her mother, Dorothy Gwynne, was a housewife. Gwynne was the eldest of four children.
Gwynne attended Cyfarthfa Grammar School in Merthyr Tydfil. She was a bright and talented student, and she excelled in both academics and the arts. After graduating from high school, Gwynne went on to study acting at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
After graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Gwynne began her career in theater. She appeared in productions such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Importance of Being Earnest. In 1990, Gwynne landed her breakthrough role when she was cast as Rosie O’Grady in the BBC sitcom Drop the Dead Donkey.
Haydn Gwynne actress of Drop the Dead Donkey
Drop the Dead Donkey was a BBC sitcom that aired from 1990 to 1998. The show was set in the newsroom of a fictional satellite television station called GlobeLink News. Gwynne played Rosie O’Grady, a cynical and hard-bitten reporter.
Drop the Dead Donkey was a critical and commercial success. It won numerous awards, including the British Comedy Award for Best Sitcom in 1993. Gwynne’s performance as Rosie O’Grady was also praised by critics and audiences alike. She won a British Comedy Award for Best Actress in 1993 and was nominated for another award in 1995.
The Crown and The Windsors
In recent years, Gwynne had been best known for her roles in the period dramas The Crown and The Windsors. In The Crown, she played Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II. The Windsors, she played Queen Elizabeth II.
Gwynne’s performances in both shows were critically acclaimed. She was praised for her ability to capture the essence of her characters, as well as her comedic timing and dramatic chops.
