Lesley Manville

Born: 12 March, 1956
Where: Brighton, E. Sussex

Once married to Gary Oldman Lesley is quite the recognisable face due to her various appearances in small screen dramas during the early '80s.

A member of director Mike Leigh's hardworking repertory cast, After her debut feature in 1985 for the crime drama Dance With a Stranger, she found her place in comedy dramas with High Season.

She began her longtime collaboration with Mike Leigh for the comedy High Hopes, followed by Secrets and Lies and Topsy-Turvy.

Lesley continued to work in British mini- series, TV movies, and short films throughout the '90s, including an appearance as Mrs. Micawber in a version of David Copperfield.

Manville finally got the lead role in Leigh's All or Nothing in 2002, as Penny, a grocery store clerk married to taxi cab driver Phil played by frequent Leigh leading man Timothy Spall.