Barbara Flynn
Biography
Barbara Joy Flynn (born 5 August 1948) is an English actress. She first came to prominence playing Freda Ashton in the ITV drama series A Family at War (1970–1972). She went on to play the milk woman in the BBC comedy Open All Hours (1976–1985), Jill Swinburne in The Beiderbecke Trilogy (1985–1988), Dr. Rose Marie in the BBC series A Very Peculiar Practice (1986–1988), Judith Fitzgerald in the ITV drama Cracker (1993–1995), and Mrs. Jamieson in Cranford (2007–2009). In 2021, she appeared in Doctor Who: Flux as Tecteun, a founder of Time Lord society and The Doctor's adopted mother. Starting in 2023, she acted in Beyond Paradise, playing the mother of the detective's girlfriend. This included some episodes in 2024 where she was reunited with Peter Davison, her A Very Peculiar Practice co-star.
In her own words, she tends to play "feisty, strong women"
Filmography
Open All Hours: Inside Out
2026
Diana: The Curse of the Spencers
2022
as Narrator
- No poster
1978: The Winter of Discontent
2022
as Narrator
The Christmas Candle
2013
as Lady Camdon
The Flying Scotsman: A Rail Romance
2013
as Narrator (Voice)
Cheerful Weather for the Wedding
2012
as Aunt Bella
Just Henry
2011
as Mrs Beaumont
Burlesque Fairytales
2010
as Mrs. Argyle
A Lion Called Christian
2009
as Self - Narrator(voice)
- No poster
The Marchioness Disaster
2008
as Eileen Dallaglio
Christmas at the Riviera
2007
as Rita
Miss Potter
2006
as Helen Potter
Cracker: Nine Eleven
2006
as Judith Fitzgerald
- No poster
The 7/7 Bombers: A Psychological Investigation
2005
as Voice
George Orwell: A Life In Pictures
2003
as Narrator
Rosalind Franklin: DNA's Dark Lady
2003
as Narrator
Hornblower: Duty
2003
as Mrs. Mason
Hornblower: Loyalty
2003
as Mrs. Mason
- No poster
Night Flight
2002
as Moira
Lorna Doone
2001
as Sarah Ridd
The Escort
1999
as Kim's Mother
You're Dead...
1999
as Prof. Corner
The Man Who Would Be Kubrick
1999
as Self - Narrator
King Lear
1998
as Goneril