Renowned actress Haydn Gwynne, known for her iconic roles in the comedy series “Drop The Dead Donkey” and as Queen Consort Camilla in the satirical sitcom “The Windsors,” has passed away at the age of 66, as confirmed by her representatives.
In a statement from her agent, it was conveyed, “It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Haydn Gwynne, a luminary of both stage and screen, who succumbed to cancer in the early hours of Friday, October 20. She was surrounded by her cherished sons, immediate family, and dear friends in hospital.”
The statement also expressed gratitude to the dedicated teams at the Royal Marsden and Brompton Hospitals for their exceptional care during her final weeks.
Haydn Gwynne harboured a lifelong aspiration to become an actress, though she initially spent her early adult years teaching English in Rome. Overcoming concerns about her parents’ reaction, at the age of 25, she returned home to pursue her cherished dream.
In 1990, she rose to prominence with her portrayal of the aloof Alex Pates in the comedic series “Drop The Dead Donkey,” a performance that earned her a BAFTA TV nomination in 1992.
Her portrayal of Dr. Joanna Graham in “Peak Practice” further solidified her fame.
Beyond the screen, she enjoyed a flourishing stage career, garnering two Olivier Award nominations for her roles in the West End productions of “City Of Angels” and “Billy Elliot The Musical.”
She earned two additional nominations for her performances in “The Threepenny Opera” and “Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown.”
Gwynne’s credits also include notable appearances in several royal-themed series, first as Camilla in “The Windsors” from 2016, and later as former royal aide Lady Susan Hussey, who resigned from the royal household amid a racism controversy, in the fifth series of “The Crown.”
