Di Botcher
Born
Diane F Botcher

(1959-06-02) 2 June 1959
OccupationActress
Years active1986–present
Known forStella
Little Britain
Casualty
Downton Abbey

Diane Botcher (born 2 June 1959) is a Welsh actress. She has starred in several British television sitcoms and dramas, including the Sky comedy drama Stella, BBC comedies Little Britain and Tittybangbang and the ITV period drama Downton Abbey. In 2018, she joined Casualty as Jan Jenning.

Early life

Botcher was born on 2 June 1959 in Taibach, Port Talbot, Glamorgan, in Wales, one of the two children of parents Bernard and Glenys Botcher. She read English and drama at Warwick University,[1] and after graduating, trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art drama school in London,[2][3] then obtained an Equity card in the 1980s.

Career

Throughout her long career on stage and screen, Botcher has been receiving warm reviews. In a performance of the musical Blood Brothers with the Sherman Theatre Company in 1986, Botcher's performance as the "warm-hearted mum" was singled out by a reviewer as one of the good points in a production which needed "beefing up".[4] Of Black Milk (2003), a reviewer wrote, "In a strong cast, Di Botcher is a beacon."[5] Her performance in the 2017/18 revival of Follies was universally appreciated[6] - “wonderful”,[7] with a "stunner of a set piece";[8][9]

In 2018, she began appearing in the BBC medical drama Casualty as Jan Jennings. Later that year, she also began portraying the role of Nana Margie in the BBC Three series In My Skin.[10] 2022 BBC Radio 4 The Archers as Caitlin Thomas.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1997Twin TownJean Lewis
2002 All or NothingSupervisorCameo role
2002 Ant MuzakDiana Fluck the Checkout AssistantShort film
2008Albert's SpeechGloriaShort film
2011Hunky DoryViv's mum
2012The Gospel of UsThe MotherSet in Botcher's birthplace
2013 SvengaliMrs Cooper
2013 One ChanceNurseCameo role
2015Under Milk WoodMrs Dai Bread Two
2020 Dream HorseNerys
2021 La Cha ChaMrs. Fruitcake

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1986Screen TwoOfficer KyleSeries 2, Episode 2
1987The District NurseEirlys ProsserSeries 3, Episode 6
1993, 1997The BillMrs. Oakes/Mrs. Edwards2 episodes
1997Harpur and IlesJane MellickTelevision film
1999 SunburnWendy's mumSeries 1, Episode 3
1999 Kavanagh QCTilly BurgessSeries 5, Episode 2
1999 RhinocerosMegan JonesTelevision film
2001 Fun at the Funeral ParlourEdithSeries 1, Episode 4
2001 People Like UsFrances ChurchfieldSeries 2, Episode 6
2001 The Armando Iannucci ShowsTinaturnerogram2 episodes
2001 'OrribleDi ClarkRecurring character
2002 CasualtyLouise TempletonSeries 16, Episode 26
2002 Tipping the VelvetWoman with Cigar2 episodes
2002 Cruise of the GodsMrs. HatcherTelevision film
2002–2008High HopesMrs. ColesRecurring character; 20 episodes
2003–2005Little BritainMarion/Meals on Wheels Lady6 episodes
2003–2009BelongingVanessaRecurring character
2004Green WingCatering ManagerSeries 1, Episode 3
2005 All About GeorgeDorothy MickensEpisode 1
2005 The Thick of ItPauline McKendrick, Piss WomanSeries 2, Episode 1
2005 Bleak HouseMrs. Woodcourt2 episodes
2006–2007TittybangbangVarious characters5 episodes
2006–2008PullingMargaretRecurring character
2007 IdealNicki's mumVoice only
2007 Hotel BabylonMyra WalmesleySeries 2, Episode 8
2007 Murphy's LawBrothel Madam2 episodes
2007 After You've GoneSheilaSeries 2, Episode 5
2008 Coming of AgeOllie's mumSeries 1, Episode 5
2008 Dustbin BabyPatTelevision film
2008–2009Katy Brand's Big Ass ShowVarious characters5 episodes
2008, 2010, 2012DoctorsSharon Bretherton/Linda Bolton/Dorit Simpson3 episodes
2009 No Signal!Various charactersSeries 1, Episode 9
2009 CollisionMrs. Whitfield2 episodes
2010 Lennon NakedDotTelevision film
2010 SherlockConnie PrinceSeries 1, Episode 3
2010 Coming UpBernadetteSeries 8, Episode 4
2011 Come Fly with MeMrs. TalbotEpisode 2
2011 ShirleyMrs. MorrisonTelevision film about Dame Shirley Bassey
2011 DCI BanksGraceSeries 2, Episode 3
2012Mr StinkWoman with QuestionTelevision film
2013Downton AbbeyNanny WestSeries 4, Episode 1
2013–2017StellaAunty BrendaMain role
2014 Inside No. 9JeanEpisode 5
2014 Under Milk WoodMrs. Dai Bread OneTelevision film
2015Coronation StreetDebbie Allinson2 episodes
2015Top CoppersSandra
2015 High HopesMrs Coles
2018–presentCasualtyJan JenningMain role
2018–2021In My SkinNana MargieMain role

Selected stage performances

YearTitleTheatreRole
2017–2018Follies[11]National TheatreHattie Walker
1997Cardiff East[12]Vera, Marge and Dolly's friend[13][14]
1995–1996A Little Night Music[11]Mrs Anderssen[13]
1993–1994Sweeney Todd[12]Ensemble[13]
2010–2011A Flea in Her Ear[12]Old VicOlympe[15]
2009Chicago[12]Cambridge TheatreMatron "Mama" Morton[16]
2003Black Milk[12][5]Royal CourtAuntie Pasha[17]
2000Flesh and Blood[12]Hampstead TheatreMarge[18]
1997Beauty and the Beast[11]Dominion TheatreMadame de la Grande Bouche
1990Sunday in the Park with George[11]London Revival
  • Frieda (Act One)
  • Elaine (Act Two)
1986Blood Brothers[4]Sherman TheatreMother
1986Richard III[19]Royal Shakespeare Company at the Adelaide Festival TheatreLady of the court
2003Terrorism[20]Royal CourtOld biddy
Cats[15]New LondonGrizabella
1995Under Milk Wood[3]National TheatreMiss Price; Mrs Beynon[13]
1986–1987A Midsummer Night's Dream[3]Royal Shakespeare CompanyTitania[21]
1987Speculators[3]Carol Cutter[13]
1999Card Boys[3]Bush TheatreIris[22]
2010If So, Then Yes[3]Jermyn Street TheatreWelsh charlady[23][24]
2009A History Of Falling Things[3]Theatr ClwydMum
2004Les Misérables[3]CopenhagenMadame Thenardier[25]

References

  1. 1 2 Wightwick, Abbie (24 April 2016). "Stella actress Di Botcher remembers her first job at Port Talbot steelworks". Wales Online. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  2. "Di Botcher". National Theatre. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Michael Sheen Leads THE PASSION for National Theatre Wales & WildWorks in April". Broadway World. 14 February 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 Adams, David (14 February 1986). "Cardiff: Blood Brothers". The Guardian: 18 (lower middle). Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  5. 1 2 Clapp, Susannah (9 February 2003). "Toasters and shysters - Theatre". The Observer Review: 11. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  6. Wolf, Matt (8 September 2017). "Sondheim's 'Follies' Is Back, at Once Bleak and Beautiful". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  7. Taylor, Paul (7 September 2017). "Follies, National Theatre, London, review: It's jaw-droppingly great". Independent. London. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  8. Bano, Tim (7 September 2017). "Follies review at the National Theatre, London – 'not just triumphant, but transcendent'". The Stage. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  9. Kellaway, Kate (10 September 2017). "Follies review – a stupendous Sondheim revival". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  10. "BBC orders a dark comedy about a teen and her mentally ill mum". Chortle. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Di Botcher Broadway and Theatre Credits". Broadway World. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Di Botcher Announced As Special Guest Performer At The West End Gala Of The 12th Annual Stephen Sondheim Society". Broadway World. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Di Botcher". Theatricalia. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  14. "Cardiff East". Peter Gill, playwright and theatre director. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  15. 1 2 "Full Cast Announced For Old Vic's A FLEA IN HER EAR". Broadway World. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  16. Koenig, Rhoda (21 July 2009). "Review: Chicago, Cambridge Theatre, London". Independent. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  17. Wolf, Matt (13 February 2003). "Review: Black Milk". Variety. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  18. Tocher, Willie. "Review: Flesh , Blood/ Mike Peters Birthday Review". The Alarm. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  19. Sher, Anthony (16 August 1986). "Dirty Dick Down Under". The Age Saturday Extra. Melbourne, Australia: 1, 10. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  20. Billington, Michael (15 March 2003). "Reviews: The funny side of terror - Theatre: Terrorism". The Guardian: 18. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  21. A Midsummer Night's Dream RSC Staging History 1960-2007. Retrieved 28 October 2018. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  22. "Review: Card Boys". Variety. 2 April 1999. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  23. Thaxter, John (10 September 2010). "If So, Then Yes review at Jermyn Street London". The Stage. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  24. Sierz, Aleks (9 September 2010). "If So, Then Yes, Jermyn Street Theatre First play in 30 years from the legendary absurdist N F Simpson". The Arts Desk. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
  25. "Les Misérables". Whose is that face in the shadows?. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
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