Juliet Harmer facts for kids

Juliet Linda Harmer (born May 11, 1941) is a talented English artist, author, and actress. She is well-known for playing Georgina Jones in the BBC TV series Adam Adamant Lives! from 1966 to 1967.

Early Life and Career

Juliet Harmer first trained to be a primary school teacher. She focused on art during her studies. After college, she taught for two years. Then, she became a presenter for BBC schools television programs.

She later returned to painting and working with children. This happened after her first daughter was born. In 1970, she moved to a beautiful area called the Cotswolds.

Juliet had always wanted to study plants. Her great uncle, Sir Sidney Frederic Harmer, was even the director of the Natural History Museum in London. Her father and grandfather, who were both surgeons, also encouraged her interest in nature. However, after acting for a while, Juliet decided to stay home with her children. She then started writing and illustrating books for kids.

Her editor at Egmont Children's Books described her art as having "an almost melodic simplicity." A newspaper called the Stroud News and Journal said her work had a "jewel-like intensity." Juliet says her art is inspired by nature. She especially loves the countryside in Gloucestershire, where she lives. She also finds inspiration from family holidays in Cornwall. She paints what makes her happy. She feels painting helps her capture special moments.

Juliet Harmer has written and illustrated several books. These include four books for children. She also created a special manuscript about the healing power of herbs and flowers.

Her artwork has been shown in galleries in Gloucestershire and London. Many of her paintings are now in private collections. These collections are in cities like Paris, London, New York, and Sydney.

Acting on TV and in Films

Juliet Harmer's TV career began with roles in shows like Emergency – Ward 10 and Danger Man. She also appeared in Marriage Lines. In 1965, she played Jill Manson in an episode of The Avengers. This was the first episode where Diana Rigg appeared as Emma Peel. The two characters even had a memorable fight scene.

Juliet also starred in a short film called The Peaches (1964). It was a fantasy film shown at the Cannes Film Festival.

Starring in Adam Adamant Lives!

Juliet Harmer was chosen for the role of Georgina Jones in Adam Adamant Lives!. She was picked from about 300 applicants. She didn't even have a screen test! She later admitted she said yes when asked if she could ride a motor scooter, even though she couldn't.

About Georgina Jones

Georgina Jones was a very fashionable "Mod" girl. She wore the popular styles of the mid-1960s. She became friends with Adam Adamant, an adventurer from the Edwardian era. He had been frozen in time since 1902. When he woke up in "Swinging London" (the lively London of the 1960s), new adventures began. Georgina was usually with him. Adamant often called her "Miss Jones." He didn't understand her modern ways at first.

Gerald Harper, who played Adam Adamant, explained it well. He said that Adamant from 1902 seeing Georgina in a mini-skirt was shocking to him. This immediately created funny situations.

In an interview, Juliet Harmer was called "the Girl from Adam Adamant." She sometimes used her own clothes for Georgina's outfits. This made her a trendsetter. Juliet remembered that most of her fan mail came from 14 or 15-year-old boys.

Adam Adamant in Review

There were 29 episodes of Adam Adamant over two series (1966–67). The show didn't get the high ratings the BBC hoped for. However, it had many of the same elements as the very successful The Avengers. A third series was considered but never made.

Gerald Harper described Juliet Harmer as "a kooky, curious girl, but utterly beautiful and very nice." They met again 40 years later. This was for a documentary film. It was made when the surviving episodes of Adam Adamant were released on DVD.

Later Acting Roles

After Adam Adamant, Juliet Harmer appeared in other TV shows. These included Department S (1969–70) and Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (1970). She was also in The Persuaders! (1971) and Bless This House (1971). She appeared in Jason King (1972), which was a spin-off from Department S.

Her films included Quest for Love (1971), a science-fiction romance. She also appeared in Home Before Midnight (1979) and Paris by Night (1988). In 1969, Juliet played Stevie in Slim John. This was a TV series made by the BBC to teach English overseas.

Personal Life

Juliet Harmer married actor William Squire in 1967. She later married theatre director Bill Alexander in 1977. They have two daughters together.

Filmography

• The Peaches (1964) - The Girl
• Up Jumped a Swagman (1965) - Second London Girl
• Just like a Woman (1967) - Lewis's Girlfriend
• Quest for Love (1971) - Geraldine Lambert
• Home Before Midnight (1979) - Susan Wilshire
• Paris by Night (1988) - Delia

Children's Books

Juliet Harmer has written several books for children:

• The Little Go To Sleep Book Collins
• The Rocking Horse Collins
• Sophie's Little Angel Collins
• Prayers For Children Heinemann
• The Magic of Herbs and Flowers Macmillan
• The Tale of the Two Black Cats who tried to Run Away Austin Macauley (October 2023)

In 2003, she received a special commendation. This was in the BBC Christmas Card Wildlife competition.

Painting Exhibitions

Juliet Harmer's paintings have been shown in Gloucestershire and London. Some of the galleries include:

• The Art Gallery, Long Street, Tetbury
• Royal Society of British Artists, London
• Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum
• The Coln Gallery Cirencester
• Leighton House Kensington
• Gallery 54, Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London