# Charmian May

Charmian Rosemary May (16 June 1937 – 24 October 2002) was an English character actress best known for her television and film roles. She appeared in the sitcoms The Good Life, The Upper Hand and Keeping Up Appearances, and the film Bridget Jones's Diary. She appeared as Miss Pershore in episodes 6 and 7 of The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (1976).
She also appeared in The Worst Witch as Miss Pentangle, in Weirdsister College as Prof. Alicia Thunderblast, and she was Miss Milton in the Yorkshire Television series, You're Only Young Twice.
Amongst her stage work, May was in the original production of 84, Charing Cross Road at Salisbury Playhouse, and its West End transfer, in 1981. She also toured in the 1970s in a production of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, playing Lady Bracknell.

## Death

She died from cancer on 24 October 2002, aged 65. A service of thanksgiving for the life of the actress was held at St Paul's, Covent Garden on 23 May 2003.

## Filmography

Television :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1968 | Mr. Rose | Nemone Regan | Series 2, episode 3 |
| 1974 | The Fortunes of Nigel | Martha Trapbois | Miniseries (episodes 3, 4 & 5) |
| 1974–75 | Second Time Around | Joan | Series 1–2 (5 episodes) |
| 1975 | My Honourable Mrs | Joyce Harper | Series 1, episode 2 |
| 1976 | The Good Life | Mrs. Weaver | Series 2, episodes 6 & 7 |
| 1976 | Within These Walls | Sarah Lang | Series 4, episode 1 |
| 1976 | The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin | Miss Pershore | Series 1, episodes 6 & 7 |
| 1977 | Miss Jones and Son | Miss Chalcott | Series 1, episode 4 |
| 1977–81 | You're Only Young Twice | Miss Marjorie Milton | Series 1–4 (main role, 31 episodes) |
| 1977 | The Duchess of Duke Street | Danish Countess | Series 2, episode 16 |
| 1978 | The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie | Mrs. Camel | Series 1, episode 1 |
| 1978 | This Is Your Life | Herself | Series 18, episode 12 (Pat Coombs) |
| 1979 | Prince Regent | Lady Ann Hamilton | Series 1, episode 8 |
| 1980 | The Gentle Touch | Mrs. Ridgeway | Series 1, episode 5 |
| 1980 | Rings on Their Fingers | Shop Assistant | Series 3, episode 1 |
| 1980 | The Professionals | Miss Piper | Series 4, episode 15 |
| 1981 | Bognor | Dog Woman | Series 1, episode 15 |
| 1982 | Educating Marmalade | Clara Coalhouse | Series 1, episode 4 |
| 1983 | Nanny | Miss Vita Baggs | Series 3, episode 3 |
| 1983 | Tears Before Bedtime | Miss Ledbetter | Series 1, episode 2 & 3 |
| 1984 | Letty | Mrs. Gore | Series 1, episodes 3 & 4 |
| 1987 | A Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery | Miss Hillyard | Series 1, episodes 8, 9 & 10 |
| 1987 | My Family and Other Animals | Melanie | Series 1, episode 5 |
| 1989 | The New Statesman | Game Show Producer | Series 2, episode 2 |
| 1989 | The Nineteenth Hole | Miranda | Series 1 (4 episodes) |
| 1990 | Screen One | Consultant | Series 2, episode 5 |
| 1990–92 | Keeping Up Appearances | Councillor Mrs. Nugent | Series 1–3 (3 episodes) |
| 1991 | Poirot | Lady Runcorn | Series 3, episode 7 |
| 1991 | The Sharp End | Mrs. Hemstock | Series 1, episode 2 |
| 1992 | The Old Boy Network | Secretary | Series 1, episode 1 |
| 1992 | Harry Enfield's Television Programme | | Series 2, episode 2 |
| 1992 | Sean's Show | Scriptwriter | Series 1, episode 6 |
| 1992 | The Upper Hand | Dr. Barratt | Series 4, episode 5 |
| 1992 | The Darling Buds of May | Gerry Lubbock | Series 2, episode 7 |
| 1994 | Love Hurts | Dorothea | Series 3, episode 9 |
| 1995 | The Politician's Wife | Mrs. Lucas | Miniseries (3 episodes) |
| 1995 | Soldier Soldier | Mrs. Tredwell | Series 5, episode 5 |
| 1997 | Touching Evil | Dr. Wanda Galley | Series 1, episode 1 |
| 1997 | Pie in the Sky | Mrs Truman | Series 5, episode 1 |
| 1998 | The Bill | Helen Forsyth | Series 14, episodes 20 & 21 |
| 1998 | The Bill | Magistrate | Series 14, episode 94 |
| 2000 | The Worst Witch | Mrs. Pentangle | Series 3, episode 4 |
| 2001 | Kavanagh QC | Judge Hanover | Special: "The End of Law" |
| 2001 | Midsomer Murders | Miss Marian Leonard | Series 4, episode 3 |
| 2001–02 | Weirdsister College | Alicia Thunderblast | Series 1 (7 episodes) |
Film :
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1979 | Follow You Follow Me | Peter's Mother | Short |
| 1982 | Britannia Hospital | Miss Diamond | |
| 1984 | It's Going to Be Alright | Frances Birkett | Television film |
| 1988 | The Dawning | Celia Brabazon | |
| 1990 | Paper Mask | Radiographer | |
| 1990 | The Fool | | |
| 1991 | A Demon in My View [fr] | Aunt Gracie | |
| 1995 | P.R.O.B.E.: The Devil of Winterborne | Mrs. Barbara Tabole | Direct-to-video film |
| 1996 | P.R.O.B.E.: Ghosts of Winterborne | Margaret Wyndham | Direct-to-video film |
| 2000 | Highlander: Endgame | Lady | |
| 2001 | Bridget Jones's Diary | Mrs. Darcy | |