Penelope Keith, star of The Good Life and To the Manor Born, dies aged 86

[Celerity]

A familiar face on TV and the stage, Keith was made a dame in 2014 for her services to the arts and charities

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/29/penelope-keith-star-of-the-good-life-and-to-the-manor-born-dies-aged-86



Penelope Keith, best known for starring in sitcoms The Good Life and To the Manor Born, has died aged 86. A statement on behalf of her family said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that Dame Penelope Keith died peacefully whilst living with cancer at her home in Surrey where she had lived for more than 50 years. “The family is grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments, and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”

Felicity Kendal paid tribute to her Good Life co-star, saying: “I am deeply saddened to hear of my friend Penelope’s death. The shows I worked on with her were such special times in our lives and demonstrated her comic genius. My heart goes out to her beloved Rodney at this time – theirs was a great love story and partnership. She was a joy to know and work with, and she will be much missed.” Comedian Sue Perkins also paid tribute to Keith on Instagram, remembering her as “creator of some of the greatest sitcom characters of all time.”


Keith played aristocratic Audrey fforbes-Hamilton alongside Peter Bowles’ nouveau riche supermarket owner Richard De Vere in To the Manor Born. The comedy show ran from 1979-1981 then was rebooted for one series in 2007

Keith was born Penelope Anne Constance Hatfield on 2 April 1940 in Sutton, Surrey. She joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963, appearing in numerous productions in London and Stratford including The Wars of the Roses. She had a number of parts in TV shows across many years, including appearances in Dixon of Dock Green and the military sitcom The Army Game, in which she appeared alongside the likes of Dick Emery.

The role that brought her to national attention came in 1975, when she was cast in BBC sitcom The Good Life, which focused on a couple who attempted to escape the rat race by becoming self sufficient in a Surbiton home. Her role as disapproving neighbour Margo Leadbetter won her a Bafta in 1977, with the show becoming one of the most iconic comedies of the 70s. In 1978, Keith won a second Bafta, for The Norman Conquests, the televised version of a trilogy of Alan Ayckbourn plays, which she had previously appeared in on stage.

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[question everything]

1. R.I.P Penelope Keith. I love "To the Manor Born"