Eileen Atkins – Biography, Age, and The Crown Role

Dame Eileen June Atkins, born 15 June 1934, is one of Britain’s most respected actresses, with a career spanning more than seven decades on stage, television, and film. As of 2025, she is still alive at 91 years old, and her recent work includes the Netflix series The Crown and the film Wicked Little Letters.

Atkins rose from a working-class childhood in a Salvation Army hostel to become a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. She is a three-time Olivier Award winner and a four-time Tony Award nominee, known for her powerful performances in classical theatre and popular screen roles alike.

Her portrayal of Queen Mary in The Crown brought her renewed global recognition. Despite her age, there is no indication that she plans to retire, and she continues to be celebrated as a national treasure of British acting.

Is Eileen Atkins Still Alive? What Is She Doing Now?

Yes, Dame Eileen Atkins is alive as of 2025. She turned 91 in June 2024 and remains active in the entertainment industry. No new major projects have been announced, but she has not indicated any intention to retire.

• Full Name: Dame Eileen June Atkins
• Born: 15 June 1934, London, England
• Occupation: Actress, occasional screenwriter
• Notable Roles: Queen Mary in The Crown, numerous stage and screen performances

Key Insights About Eileen Atkins

• Career spans over 70 years, starting in theatre in 1953.
• Rose from a council estate in Clapton, north London, to become a Dame.
• Renowned for both classical theatre (Royal Shakespeare Company) and screen work.
• Her role as Queen Mary in The Crown (2016) is among her most globally recognised performances.
• She is a three-time Olivier Award winner and was nominated for four Tony Awards.
• Atkins co-created the classic British TV series Upstairs, Downstairs.
• She is a breast cancer survivor and has written a memoir titled Will She Do? (originally announced as We Do?).

Who Are Eileen Atkins’ Husband and Children?

Atkins has been married twice but has no children. She has stated openly that she never felt a maternal instinct, which she attributes to her difficult relationship with her own mother.

Marriage to Julian Glover

Her first marriage was to actor Julian Glover, whom she wed in 1957. The couple divorced in 1966. Glover is also a noted British actor, known for roles in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and Game of Thrones.

Marriage to Bill Shepherd

On 2 February 1978, she married Bill Shepherd. He died on 24 June 2016, ending their 38-year marriage. Shepherd was not a public figure, and Atkins has kept details of their private life largely out of the press.

No Children

Multiple reliable sources confirm that Atkins had no children. In interviews, she explained that she never experienced a desire to become a mother, a feeling she links to her own upbringing. Her mother was a seamstress and barmaid, and their relationship was strained.

What Are the Best Eileen Atkins Movies and TV Shows?

Atkins has worked consistently in theatre, film, and television since 1953. Her most famous screen roles span from the 1970s classic Upstairs, Downstairs (which she co-created) to recent hits like Paddington 2 and The Crown.

Television Highlights

• The Crown (Netflix, 2016): Played Queen Mary in five episodes. This role introduced her to a new generation of viewers.
• Cranford (2007): Her performance as Jane earned her a BAFTA Award and an Emmy Award.
• Upstairs, Downstairs (1971): Co-creator and actress in the iconic period drama.
• Doc Martin (2011–2022): Portrayed Ruth Ellingham over multiple seasons.
• The House of Eliott (1991): Another series she co-created, set in the fashion world of the 1920s.

Film Highlights

• Paddington 2 (2017): Played Madame Kozlova, a scene-stealing supporting role.
• The Hours (2002): Played Queen Mary in this Oscar-winning drama.
• Gosford Park (2001): Played Mabel in Robert Altman’s ensemble murder mystery.
• Wild Target (2010): Co-starred with Rupert Grint in this comedy-thriller.
• Wicked Little Letters (2023): Played Mabel in this period comedy-drama.

Theatre and Stage

Atkins is first and foremost a stage actress. She originated the role of Madeleine in The Height of the Storm (2018) and won Olivier Awards for The Unexpected Man (1999) and Honour (2004). She also wrote and performed in Vita & Virginia and appeared in A Room of One’s Own. Her last Broadway appearance was in Doubt.

What Are the Key Milestones in Eileen Atkins’ Career?

1. 1934: Born in a Salvation Army Women’s Hostel in Clapton, north London.
2. 1953: Began her professional acting career in repertory theatre.
3. 1960s: Established herself with the Royal Shakespeare Company and other classical theatre companies.
4. 1971: Co-created and appeared in Upstairs, Downstairs, a landmark British TV series.
5. 1978: Married Bill Shepherd (her second marriage).
6. 1999–2004: Won two Olivier Awards for The Unexpected Man and Honour.
7. 2001: Made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE).
8. 2007: Won BAFTA and Emmy awards for Cranford.
9. 2016: Portrayed Queen Mary in The Crown.
10. 2017: Appeared in Paddington 2.
11. 2023: Last known film role in Wicked Little Letters.

Is Eileen Atkins Still Working? What Do We Know and Not Know?

What Is Eileen Atkins’ Legacy and Impact?

Atkins is widely regarded as one of Britain’s most versatile actresses. She has excelled in classical theatre, contemporary drama, and popular television, often collaborating with leading playwrights such as Tom Stoppard and actors like Judi Dench. Her rise from a council estate in Clapton to receiving a Damehood is frequently cited as an inspirational story. Beyond acting, she contributed to British television as a co-creator of two major series: Upstairs, Downstairs and The House of Eliott. Her role in The Crown has cemented her status in the public’s mind as a definitive portrayer of royalty.

Where Can You Find Reliable Information About Eileen Atkins?

For accurate, up-to-date information about Dame Eileen Atkins, the following sources are widely used by journalists and researchers.

Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in it.

Eileen Atkins, from interviews

She is a national treasure.

Common sentiment among critics

• Wikipedia Entry
• IMDb Profile
• Rotten Tomatoes
• Broadway.com Profile
• Virago – Will She Do? book page

What Is the Essential Takeaway About Eileen Atkins?

Dame Eileen Atkins is a living legend of British stage and screen. At 91, she remains alive and continues to be celebrated for a body of work that spans more than 70 years, from the Royal Shakespeare Company to Netflix’s The Crown. Her honesty about not having children, her survival of breast cancer, and her memoir Will She Do? offer a deeply personal look at a remarkable life. For readers interested in other distinguished British acting talent, our article on Monica Dolan – BAFTA Winner provides a similar deep dive into a respected contemporary actress.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eileen Atkins