Acting · Hammersmith, London, England, UK · Born September 17, 1922
Howells was born in London, the daughter of composer Herbert Howells, and was educated at St Paul's Girls' School, where her father worked as Director of Music. She made her first stage appearance at Dundee in 1939, in John Drinkwater's Bird in Hand, then moved to Oxford in 1942 and three years later made her London debut at the Embassy Theatre, Swiss Cottage. In 1947 she appeared in the comedy Jane at the Aldwych Theatre. After several years in the West End, and a brief stint on Broadway where she appeared in Springtime for Henry in 1951, she began to appear in films. After the death of her father in 1983, Ursula Howells instigated the "Herbert Howells Society" and became a standard bearer for the promotion of his work. She financially supported the recording of his compositions and did much to encourage the publishing and promotion of church music.
TVThe Cazalets
2001
MovieThe Tichborne Claimant
1999
as Lady Doughty
MovieA Rather English Marriage
1998
as Mary
TVMidsomer Murders
1997
as Lady Isabel Aubrey
TVShe's Out
1995
as Mrs Lawson
MovieA Pinch of Snuff
1994
as Alice Andover
TVJewels
1992
as The Duchess
TVHeartbeat
1992
as Miriam Wakefield
MovieTime After Time
1986
as May Swift
TVLovejoy
1986
as Olive Nettleton
TVMiss Marple: A Murder Is Announced
1985
as Miss Blacklock
MovieThe Cold Room
1984
as Headmistress
TVThe Barchester Chronicles
1982
as Miss Thorne
Something in Disguise
1982
as May Browne-Lacey
TVBergerac
1981
as Elizabeth Fouchet
A Question of Guilt
1980
as Lady Uredale (voice)
MovieThe Enigma
1980
as Mrs Fielding
MovieGentle Folk
1980
as Mrs Menant
TVFather, Dear Father
1978
as Barbara Mossman
MovieWhen the Actors Come
1978
as Barbara Karolina
TVHard Times
1977
as Mrs Gradgrind
TVBBC2 Play of the Week
1977
as Barbara Karolina
The Many Wives Of Patrick
1976
Little Fears
1974
as The Older Woman
TVFall of Eagles
1974
as Empress Maria Fyodorovna
TVPlayhouse
1974
as Mrs. Menant
Miss Nightingale
1974
as Aunt May
MovieFather Dear Father
1973
as Barbara
Franklin's Farm
1972
as Prue
Late Night Theatre
1972
as The Older Woman
TVUpstairs, Downstairs
1971
as Duchess of Buckminster
TVCousin Bette
1971
as Adeline Hulot
TVPlay for Today
1970
as Sarah Chandler
Ryan International
1970
MovieMumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly
1970
as Mumsy
MovieCrossplot
1969
as Maggi Thwaites
TVITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969
as Mrs. Clissold
The Root of All Evil?
1968
as Angela
TVFather, Dear Father
1968
as Barbara
TVOoh La La!
1968
as Mme Pontagnac
MovieAssignment K
1968
as Estelle
MovieTorture Garden
1967
as Miss Maxine Chambers (segment 3 "Mr. Steinway")
TVMan in a Suitcase
1967
TVHalf Hour Story
1967
as Peggy
TVAll Gas and Gaiters
1967
as Mrs Buckley
TVThe Informer
1966
as Lady Tregunter
TVThirty-Minute Theatre
1965
as Ellen
The Wednesday Thriller
1965
as Hilda
Six Shades of Black
1965
as Netta Bartholomew
MovieDr. Terror's House of Horrors
1965
as Mrs. Deirdre Biddulph (segment 1 "Werewolf")
MovieA Choice of Coward: Present Laughter
1964
as Liz Essendine
TVA Choice of Coward
1964
as Liz Essendine
Movie80,000 Suspects
1963
as Joanna Duten
TVThe Human Jungle
1963
as Julia Gray
MovieThe Madhouse on Castle Street
1963
as Martha Tompkins
MovieThe Sicilians
1963
as Mme. Perrault
MovieTwo Letter Alibi
1962
as Louise
Drama 61-67
1961
as Claire
Sunday-Night Play
1960
Theatre '70
1960
as Jessy Tomson
TVNo Hiding Place
1959
TVInterpol Calling
1959
as Miki
MovieNow Let Him Go
1957
as Nurse Judith
MovieAccount Rendered
1957
as Lucille Ainsworth
MovieWest of Suez
1957
as Eileen
TVArmchair Theatre
1956
as Margaret
MovieThe Long Arm
1956
as Mrs. Elliot / Mrs. Gilson
MovieKeep It Clean
1956
as Pat Anstey
MovieThey Can't Hang Me
1955
as Antonia Pitt
TVLilli Palmer Theatre
1955
as Mary
MovieTrack the Man Down
1955
as Mary Dennis
MovieThe Constant Husband
1955
as Ann
MovieThe Gilded Cage
1955
as Brenda Lucas
TVSherlock Holmes
1954
MovieThe Weak and the Wicked
1954
as Pam Vickers
MovieThe Blakes Slept Here
1953
as Emily
MovieThe Oracle
1953
as Peggy
MovieNumber Three
1953
as Maureen Dartington
MovieI Believe in You
1952
as Hon. Ursula
MovieThe Cocktail Party
1952
MovieFlesh and Blood
1951
as Harriet Marshall
TVSunday Night Theatre
1950
as Mary Winsloe
