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Diana Quick (born Diana Marilyn Quick, 23 November 1946) is an English actress whose career spans stage, film and television from the late 1950s to the present. Trained at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, where she was the first female president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society, Quick established herself in classical theatre before becoming widely known to television audiences as Julia Flyte in the BBC serial Brideshead Revisited (1981). Her screen work ranges from literary adaptations and period drama to contemporary film and television, and she has also worked extensively in radio and voice roles. Quick’s collaborations with leading directors and actors, and her steady presence on British television, have made her a familiar and respected performer across generations.

... Diana Quick began performing on stage as a teenager and made her professional stage debut in 1959. After reading English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, where she served as the first female president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society, she forged a strong career in repertory and classical theatre, appearing in many Shakespearean and modern plays. Transitioning regularly between stage and screen, Quick won broad public recognition for her portrayal of Julia Flyte in the BBC serial Brideshead Revisited (1981), a production that remains a touchstone of British television drama. On film she has taken supporting and character parts in a variety of British and international productions across several decades. She has also been a frequent guest on British television dramas and series, including crime and literary adaptations, and has performed voice roles in animation and audio drama. Away from acting she researched and wrote a family history about her Anglo-Indian roots, published in 2009. Quick’s career is marked by versatility, a firm classical grounding, and steady work on stage and screen into the 2010s and 2020s. Then & Now The 1980s During the 1980s, Diana Quick established a significant presence in the entertainment industry. Building on early successes, they took on memorable roles that helped define the era's popular culture and cemented their status as a recognizable talent. Now (2026) Today, Diana Quick's legacy from the 1980s continues to be celebrated by fans worldwide. Their contributions to film and television during that pivotal decade remain an important part of entertainment history, influencing subsequent generations of performers. Career timeline 1946 Born Diana Marilyn Quick on 23 November in London, England. 1959 Made stage debut in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park. 1964–1967 Attended Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford; became the first female president of the Oxford University Dramatic Society. 1971 Appeared on film in Nicholas and Alexandra (credited role: Sonya). 1977 Played Laura in Ridley Scott's feature film The Duellists. 1981 Achieved widespread recognition as Julia Flyte in the BBC serial Brideshead Revisited. 1982–2008 Long-term partnership with actor Bill Nighy; they worked together on stage in the early 1980s and have a daughter, Mary Nighy (born 1984). 1990s–2000s Continued to balance theatre with regular television and film roles, including voice work and guest appearances in long-running series. 2009 Published family history A Tug on the Thread: From the British Raj to the British Stage and portrayed the Queen in the television documentary-drama The Queen. 2017 Appeared as Polina Molotova in the feature film The Death of Stalin. 2023 Featured in the TV series Forever Young (2023) as Robyn Smith. Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Brideshead Revisited (BBC/1981) - cast list and context Public biography and credit reference.A Passage to India (1984) - film overview Public biography and credit reference.The Camomile Lawn (1992) - TV miniseries overview Biographical and credit details were checked against Brideshead Revisited (BBC/1981) - cast list and context, A Passage to India (1984) - film overview, The Camomile Lawn (1992) - TV miniseries overview.