Sophie Winkleman Explained

Sophie Winkleman
Lady Frederick Windsor
Birth Date:5 August 1980
Birth Place:Primrose Hill, London, England
Education:Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Occupation:Actress
Relatives:Claudia Winkleman (paternal half-sister)
Sally Soames (aunt)
House of Windsor (by marriage)
Children:2
Years Active:1997–present

Sophie Lara Winkleman (born 5 August 1980), styled as Lady Frederick Windsor, is an English actress. She is married to Lord Frederick Windsor, the second cousin of King Charles III and son of Prince Michael of Kent.

Early life

Sophie Lara Winkleman was born on 5 August 1980 in Primrose Hill, London.[1] Her father, Barry Winkleman, published the Times Atlas of World History,[2] and her mother is the children's author Cindy Black. The television presenter Claudia Winkleman is her half-sister from her father's first marriage to Eve Pollard.Sophie Winkleman was educated at the City of London School for Girls and at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where she studied English literature.[3] She joined the Cambridge Footlights and wrote and performed in the comic revue Far Too Happy, which toured Britain for three months and gained the troupe's first Perrier Award nomination in 20 years.[4] She joined the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain in 1997.[5] She is also a soprano, reprising her singing in the First Love series for Sky Arts.[6]

Career

Television

Winkleman's credits include recurring roles in series including Big Suze in Peep Show,[7] numerous roles in Harry & Paul,[8] Joely in White Teeth,[9] Fiona in The Trial of Tony Blair,[10] Abby in Plus One,[11] Katerina in ,[12] Donna in Lead Balloon,[13] Prudence in Keen Eddie, Elle Kensington in Chasing Alice, Regan Peverill in the pilot episode of Lewis, Angela Warren in Agatha Christie's Poirot (in the episode "Five Little Pigs"), Princess Eleanor in The Palace,[14] Ghislaine in Robin Hood,[15] Alice Shadwell in Dalziel and Pascoe, Ann Hamilton in Death in Paradise,[16] Jill in TV Land's Hot in Cleveland, Sharon Kirby in CSI Miami and Dorothy Gibson in Titanic.[17]

Winkleman was nominated for Best Newcomer by the BBC for her performance as Clara Gold in Waking the Dead.[5] [18] Winkleman made her debut on American television as the star of the NBC sitcom 100 Questions as main character Charlotte Payne.[19] She guest starred as Jill, Joy's younger sister and former nun on one episode of Hot in Cleveland and also appeared as a recurring guest on the hit series Two and a Half Men as Zoey, the British girlfriend of Walden Schmidt (Ashton Kutcher).[20]

Stage

Winkleman's roles while at Cambridge University included the Bride in García Lorca's Blood Wedding,[21] which toured the amphitheatres of Greece, Elizabeth in Six Degrees of Separation,[21] which played at the Edinburgh Festival, Abigail in Arthur Miller's The Crucible,[22] Dockdaisy in Bertolt Brecht's The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui,[21] Kate in Alan Ayckbourn's Confusions,[21] Madame de Merteuil in Christopher Hampton's Les Liaisons Dangereuses[21] and Fraulein Kost in Kander and Ebb's Cabaret all at the ADC. Winkleman's stage career after Cambridge includes a season at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she played Veronique in Laurence Boswell's adaptation of Beauty and the Beast[22] and a summer in Bath with the Peter Hall Company playing a variety of roles including Archangela in Galileo's Daughter directed by Peter Hall,[23] a new play by Timberlake Wertenbaker, Violet in George Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman directed by Peter Hall,[21] and Charlotte in Molière's Don Juan, directed by Thea Sharrock.[21] In 2012 she played Helena in Eric Idle's musical What About Dick at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, alongside Eddie Izzard, Russell Brand and Billy Connolly.[24]

Film

Winkleman's film credits include the lead roles in the films Shattered and Love Live Long, written and directed by Mike Figgis.[21] Winkleman also played the comic role of Debbie Levine in Pathe's romantic comedy Suzie Gold and the older Susan Pevensie in the Disney film .[22] Other film roles include the leads in the shorts Seared, Love Letters, and The Lost Domain, a cinematic take on Alain-Fournier's Le Grand Meaulnes, and Post, directed by Debs Gardner-Paterson.[21]

Radio

Winkleman is a regular in BBC Radio 4 comedy and drama. She is among the cast of comedy programmes such as Marcus Brigstocke's Giles Wemmbley-Hogg Goes Off, and such afternoon plays as Tea for Two.[21] [25] She played Polly Pot in P.G. Wodehouse's Uncle Fred in the Springtime with Alfred Molina and Rufus Sewell, Gloria in Bernard Shaw's You Never Can Tell, and Zoe in Alan Ayckbourn's Henceforward, alongside Jared Harris, all for Radio 4.[21] She also played the role of Sasha in Von Ribbentrop's Watch, a historical drama, Anna Freud in the play Dr. Freud Will See You Now, Mrs. Hitler, by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, and the Amazon warrior princess Penthesilea alongside Alistair McGowan and Stephen Mangan in the Radio 4 comic fantasy series ElvenQuest, by Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto.[21] She has also starred in several Doctor Who plays for Radio 4.

Personal life

Winkleman married Lord Frederick Windsor, the son of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, in Hampton Court Palace on 12 September 2009. By virtue of her marriage, she became entitled to be styled as Lady Frederick Windsor, but continues to use her own name in her professional career.[26] On 15 August 2013, the couple had a daughter, who was born at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, and is the first grandchild of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.[27] Their second child was born in 2016 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.[28]

In November 2017 Winkleman was seriously injured in a head-on car crash, suffering a broken back and foot. She was a back-seat passenger in a car when another vehicle struck her car after swerving to avoid a deer. It was reported that she would not suffer long-term problems, but faced weeks of recuperation.[29]

In June 2020, it was announced that she was the new royal patron of the Children's Surgery Foundation.[30] The following month, it was announced that she would be the newest (and first female) patron of School-Home Support,[31] and in June 2022 she presented the BBC Radio 4 Appeal on its behalf.[32]

Filmography

Audio

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Kelly WestwoodRecurring role, 2 episodes
2017Torchwood OneRachel AllanRecurring role; 3 episodes
2018SofiaEpisode: "Serpent in the Silver Mask"

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2003Chasing AliceElle KensingtonTelevision film
2004Suzie GoldDebby Levine
Wise ManTelevision film
2005Older Susan
2007The Trial of Tony BlairFionaTelevision film
ShatteredNatalie Encore
2008Love Live LongRachel
SearedStrangerShort film
2011Love LettersShort film
2012What About Dick?Helena
2023WonkaThe Countess

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Ultimate ForceWoman in BankEpisode: "The Killing House"
White TeethJoelyMiniseries; 2 episodes
Waking the DeadJoanna Gold / Clara GoldEpisode: "Thin Air"
2003Keen EddiePrudenceEpisode: "Horse Heir"
Agatha Christie's PoirotAngela WarrenEpisode: "Five Little Pigs"
2005–2010Peep ShowBig SuzeRecurring role; 10 episodes
2006LewisRegan PeverillEpisode: "Reputation"
Dalziel and PascoeAlice ShadwellEpisode: "A Death in the Family"
2007–2012Harry & PaulVarious rolesSeries regular; 21 episodes
2008The PalacePrincess EleanorSeries regular; 8 episodes
2009Plus OneAbbyEpisode: "Black and White and Red All Over"
KingdomKateEpisode: "Series 3, Episode 1"
Red DwarfKaterinaEpisode: "Back to Earth"
Robin HoodGhislaineEpisode: "Bad Blood"
2010100 QuestionsCharlotte PayneSeries regular; 6 episodes
2011Sharon KirbyEpisode: "Last Stand"
Lead BalloonDonnaRecurring role; 2 episodes
Phineas and FerbAdditional VoicesEpisode: "That's the Spirit / The Curse of Candace"
Death in ParadiseAnn HamiltonEpisode: "Spot the Difference"
2011–2015Two and a Half MenZoeyRecurring role; 28 episodes
2012TitanicDorothy GibsonMiniseries; 4 episodes
2015Hot in ClevelandJillEpisode: "We Could Be Royals"
2016–2018Milo Murphy's LawAdditional Voices / Time ApeRecurring role; 3 episodes
2018TrustMargotSeries regular; 6 episodes
2019EndeavourIsobel HumboltEpisode: "Apollo"
Four Weddings and a FuneralHarper Dylan Episode: "Love, Chalet"
2019–2023SanditonLady SusanSeries regular; 8 episodes
2020StrikeKinvara ChiswellRecurring role; 4 episodes
2022This Is Going to HurtKathleenEpisode: "Episode Six"
2024Duchess of RochesterSeries regular; 8 episodes

Theatre credits

YearTitleRoleVenueNotesRef.
2001Far Too HappyEnsembleNew Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl & otherswith Footlights[33]
2003Beauty and the BeastVeronique / Vanity TableRoyal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon[34]
2004Don JuanCharlotteTheatre Royal, Bath[35]
Man and SupermanViolet RobinsonTheatre Royal, Bath[36]
Galileo's DaughterArcangelaTheatre Royal, Bath[37]

Published writing

Notes and References

  1. Carmichael, Sri. Lord Freddie's fiancée to rule American TV before royal wedding, Evening Standard, 3 April 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  2. Catherine O'Brien, "Sophie Strikes Gold", You Magazine, 24 February 2004 quoted at SophieWinkleman.com
  3. Web site: Code Promo Betfirst 2019: CASHMAX – Profitez des meilleurs bonus . 15 July 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111004052014/http://footlights.org/2001/tour/cast.html . 4 October 2011 .
  4. Web site: Interview with Tim Key " The Tab –http:// www.cambridgetab.co.uk . Cambridgetab.co.uk . 9 May 2010 . 30 December 2011.
  5. Web site: Sophie Winkleman. United Agents. 16 May 2018.
  6. Web site: Sophie Winkleman . United Agents . 30 December 2011.
  7. News: Sophie Winkleman: I wanted to break my husband's hands off during labour. The Daily Telegraph. Tim. Walker. 3 September 2013. 16 May 2018.
  8. Web site: Harry & Paul. BBC. 15 October 2010. 16 May 2018.
  9. Web site: Sophie Winkleman. https://web.archive.org/web/20160817101615/http://juf.org/celebrities/celebrity.aspx?id=75183. dead. 17 August 2016. Jewish United Fund. 16 May 2018.
  10. Web site: The 5-minute Interview: Sophie Winkleman, Actress. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/the-5-minute-interview-sophie-winkleman-actress-796876.html . 24 May 2022 . subscription . live. The Independent. 17 March 2008. 16 May 2018.
  11. Web site: Plus One. Channel 4. 16 May 2018.
  12. News: Red Dwarf blasts off with new series. The Daily Telegraph. Clive. Morgan. 4 October 2009. 16 May 2018.
  13. Web site: Lead Balloon. BBC. 15 June 2011. 16 May 2018.
  14. News: A revealing tale of two faiths for Lord Freddie Windsor and Sophie Winkleman. The Daily Telegraph. Tim. Walker. 31 March 2009. 16 May 2018.
  15. Web site: Sophie Winkleman List of Movies and TV Shows. TV Guide. 16 May 2018.
  16. Web site: Death in Paradise. Radio Times. Alison. Graham. 16 May 2018.
  17. News: Titanic series will be the next Downton Abbey, says Sophie Winkleman. The Daily Telegraph. Donna. Bowater. 16 March 2012. 16 May 2018.
  18. Web site: Waking the Dead. BBC. 4 November 2002. 16 May 2018.
  19. News: True to Formula: NBC's '100 Questions'. The Washington Post. 25 May 2010. 16 May 2018.
  20. News: Ashton Kutcher's Two and a Half Men co-star Sophie Winkleman tells of tears on set of her new comedy. The Daily Telegraph. Tim. Walker. 7 July 2012. 16 May 2018.
  21. Web site: Sophie Winkleman. United Agents. 16 May 2018.
  22. Web site: An Interview with Actress and Writer Sophie Winkleman at Soho House, LA. Arteviste. 21 September 2014. 16 May 2018.
  23. Web site: Galileo's Daughter, Theatre Royal, Bath. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/galileos-daughter-theatre-royal-bath-554068.html . 24 May 2022 . subscription . live. The Independent. Lynne. Walker. 22 July 2004. 16 May 2018.
  24. Web site: Eric Idle's What About Dick Plays Limited Engagement With All-Star Cast!. Huffington Post. Jay. Weston. 27 April 2012. 16 May 2018.
  25. Web site: Giles Wemmbley Hogg Goes Off. Radio Times. 16 May 2018.
  26. Huffington, Arianna. London Diary: Gordon Brown's Obsessions, The Loyal Opposition's Cuddly Karl Rove, Bad Germs, and the Most Unusual Royal Honeymoon Ever, HuffPost, 2 July 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  27. News: Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's first grandchild is named 'Maud'. The Telegraph. 16 August 2013. 17 August 2013. Agencies. Hayley Dixon and.
  28. Web site: Isabella Windsor christened at Kensington Palace in the same gown worn by Princess Charlotte. Hello. 5 July 2016. 6 January 2017.
  29. Web site: Claudia Winkleman's royal actress sister 'seriously injured in head-on crash'. https://web.archive.org/web/20171204061225/https://www.msn.com/en-au/entertainment/celebrity/claudia-winklemans-royal-actress-sister-seriously-injured-in-head-on-crash/ar-BBG5ZkD?li=AAavLaF&ocid=spartandhp. dead. 4 December 2017. . . 3 December 2017. 3 December 2017.
  30. Web site: Lady Frederick Windsor becomes royal patron of The Children's Surgery Foundation. Royal Central. 13 June 2020 .
  31. Web site: School-Home Support | Announcing our newest patron, Lady Sophie Windsor. School-Home Support.
  32. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0018frg BBC Radio 4 Appeal 19 June 2022
  33. Web site: Cambridge Footlights: Far Too Happy . . 27 May 2024.
  34. News: Billington . Michael . Beauty and the Beast . 27 May 2024 . . 11 December 2003.
  35. Web site: Theatre Royal Bath Productions . Theatre Royal Bath . 27 May 2024.
  36. News: Billington . Michael . Don Juan/ Man and Superman . 27 May 2024 . . 22 July 2004.
  37. News: Walker . Lynne . Galileo's Daughter, Theatre Royal, Bath . 27 May 2024 . . 23 July 2004.