Penelope Wilton started her television career in 1972 when she appeared on Thirty-Minute Theatre. Since then, she has appeared in over 60 films and TV shows, and graced over 30 theater productions. Some of her most notable work include Calendar Girls, Pride and Prejudice, Shaun of the Dead, Match Point, and Iris.
On the small screen, Wilton appeared on The Pearcross Girls, played Ann Bryce on Ever Decreasing Circles, was cast as Harriet Jones on Doctor Who, joined North by Northamptonshire as Mary and was cast as Isobel Crawley on Downton Abbey.