glynis barber

Biography / Gallery

Glynis Barber signed memorabilia @ eBay UK (direct link)

Early Life

Born Glynis van der Reit on 25 October 1955 in Durban, South Africa, Barber decided on acting after seeing Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap in 1961. At 15 she read the works of Shakespeare in a fortnight, and in 1974 she left South Africa to train at a theatre school in north London.

Early Career

Her first film role came in 1978 in the British horror film Terror. Barber continued to work in theatre and on television, gaining on-set experience and building a steady resume of supporting parts through the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Breakthrough

In 1981 she joined the final series of the BBC cult science-fiction show Blake’s 7 as Soolin. The role raised her profile among genre audiences and demonstrated a cool, controlled screen presence that contrasted with much of the era’s female sci-fi casting.

Mainstream Success

Barber’s best-known role followed in 1984 when she co-starred with Michael Brandon in ITV’s action-detective series Dempsey & Makepeace. The show became a prime-time hit and established Barber as a leading presence on British television. She married Michael Brandon in 1989.

Family and Career Pause

After moving to Los Angeles and the birth of her son Alexander in 1992, Barber reduced her public workload to focus on family for a period. She returned to the UK in 1996 and resumed steady television work.

Television, Stage and Later Work

Since the mid-1990s Barber has worked steadily in television and theatre. Her stage credits include the role of Mrs Robinson in the 2003 production of The Graduate. On television she has appeared in series such as The Bill and Murphy’s Law, and in 2010 she joined EastEnders as Glenda Mitchell.

The Royal

Barber appeared in the final series of ITV’s medical drama The Royal, contributing a measured, character-driven performance during the show's concluding run.

Selected Credits

Television: Dempsey & Makepeace; Blake’s 7; The Bill; Murphy’s Law; The Hound of the Baskervilles; The Sandbaggers; Tales of the Unexpected; Night & Day; The Royal; EastEnders.

Film: Terror; Horror Safari; Edge of Sanity; The Wicked Lady; Beings; Deja Vu; Duel.

Contact

Last Known Mailing Address (2010):
c/o Susan Shaper
Queen's House
1 Leicester Place
London WC2H 7BP
UK

Personal

Married to Michael Brandon; one son, Alexander. Barber’s career is notable for its longevity and range across genre drama, mainstream television and stage work.