★ 8.2 
Acting
Helen Ryan
Helen Ryan is best known for The Crown, Midsomer Murders, Sherlock Holmes and Heartbeat. Helen Ryan was born on June 16, 1938. Helen Ryan is 88 years old (born June 16, 1938).
- Born
- June 16, 1938 (88 years old)
- Place of birth
- Liverpool, England, UK
Biography
Helen Ryan (born June 16, 1938, in Liverpool, Lancashire) is a British actress, who is notable for playing several royal roles.
The Liverpool native played Princess and then Queen Alexandra in the British television series Edward the Seventh, for which she received a BAFTA nomination in 1975. She also played Princess Alexandra in the 1980 movie The Elephant Man and the Sherlock Holmes story "The Mazarin Stone". She played another royal, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, in the 2002 television drama Bertie and Elizabeth. Her other credits include Madame Balzac in the TV series Prometheus: The Life of Balzac (1975), Mrs. McFarlane in the Sherlock Holmes story "The Norwood Builder", and films such as Clash of Loyalties (1983), Misunderstood (1984) and The Hawk (1993). More recently, Ryan has appeared as Peggy Roath, a personal aide to Queen Elizabeth II, in the fifth season of The Crown in 2022. In 2023, she appeared in the BBC soap opera Doctors as Thelma Scott.
She was formerly married to the theatre director Guy Slater, with whom she had a daughter, Rebecca, and a son, Daniel.
The Liverpool native played Princess and then Queen Alexandra in the British television series Edward the Seventh, for which she received a BAFTA nomination in 1975. She also played Princess Alexandra in the 1980 movie The Elephant Man and the Sherlock Holmes story "The Mazarin Stone". She played another royal, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, in the 2002 television drama Bertie and Elizabeth. Her other credits include Madame Balzac in the TV series Prometheus: The Life of Balzac (1975), Mrs. McFarlane in the Sherlock Holmes story "The Norwood Builder", and films such as Clash of Loyalties (1983), Misunderstood (1984) and The Hawk (1993). More recently, Ryan has appeared as Peggy Roath, a personal aide to Queen Elizabeth II, in the fifth season of The Crown in 2022. In 2023, she appeared in the BBC soap opera Doctors as Thelma Scott.
She was formerly married to the theatre director Guy Slater, with whom she had a daughter, Rebecca, and a son, Daniel.
Known for
Filmography
- 2016The CrownQueen's Dresser
- 2007Fallen AngelAngel's Neighbor
- 1997Midsomer MurdersMrs. Hilliard
- 1994The Memoirs of Sherlock HolmesPrincess of Wales
- 1993Bella BlockMeredith Walters
- 1993HarryLady Jenvey
- 1992HeartbeatBetty Hawkins
- 1985My Brother JonathanLavinia Dakers
- 1984Sherlock HolmesPrincess of Wales
- 1984The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesMrs McFarlane
- 1981My Father's HouseCelia Blake
- 1980HannahHannah Mole
- 1976The Duchess of Duke StreetOlive Bradford
- 1975Edward the SeventhPrincess Alexandra
- 1972Van der ValkEva Maris
- 1971PersuasionMrs. Harville
Frequently asked questions
What movies and shows has Helen Ryan been in?
Helen Ryan is best known for The Crown, Midsomer Murders, Sherlock Holmes and Heartbeat.
When was Helen Ryan born?
Helen Ryan was born on June 16, 1938. (Liverpool, England, UK)
How old is Helen Ryan?
Helen Ryan is 88 years old (born June 16, 1938).
Updated: October 30, 2026 ·