Walters, Julie (1950– )

English stage and screen actor. She has worked extensively on British film and television, displaying adept skill in both comic and dramatic roles. She established her reputation in her role of a a down-trodden housewife seeking to expand her intellectual horizons in Educating Rita (1983), and went on to play starring and supporting roles in a range of productions.

Comic performances such as that of the brothel madam Christine Painter in Personal Services (1987) were subsequently alternated with dramatic roles in television miniseries such as GBH (1991) and Jake's Progress (1995). She also featured in the television series Dinner Ladies (1998). In 2001 she won the Laurence Olivier award for Best Actress for her performance in Arthur Miller's play All My Sons. Later film work includes the Harry Potter series (2001–04) and the comedy Calendar Girls (2003).