Tessa Peake-Jones facts for kids

Tessa Peake-Jones (born 9 May 1957) is an English actress having appeared in The Danedyke Mystery (1979), Pride and Prejudice (1980), When We Are Married (1987), Up the Garden Path (1990–1993), So Haunt Me (1992–1994), Demon Headmaster, TheThe Demon Headmaster (1996–1998), History of Tom Jones: a Foundling, TheThe History of Tom Jones: a Foundling (1997), Summer in the Suburbs (2000), Poppy Shakespeare (2008), Doctors (2009–2011), Unforgotten (2015).

However, she was best known for her role as Raquel in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses, between 1988 and 2003, and as Mrs. Maguire in Grantchester (2014-2022).

Early life and education

Peake-Jones was born on May 9, 1957, in London, to her mother: Mary, and raised in Hammersmith and educated at Kenmore Park Junior School, Harrow and Downer Grammar School,(now known as Canons High School), leaving in 1973. before training at the Central School of Speech and Drama.

Television

Peake-Jones is best known for playing Raquel Turner, the long-time partner of the main character Derek "Del Boy" Trotter (played by David Jason) in the television comedy Only Fools and Horses from 1988–1993, 1996 and 2001–2003.

She had a co-starring role in the 1999 TV series Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Her other television appearances include The Demon Headmaster, Midsomer Murders, Casualty, Holby City, The Bill, Up the Garden Path and So Haunt Me.

She appeared in the BBC adaptation of Iris Murdoch's The Bell (1982). She also played the role of the bookish sister Mary Bennet in the BBC serial adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (1980). In March 2008 she appeared as a member of staff in the Channel 4 psychiatric hospital drama Poppy Shakespeare.

In both 2009 and 2011, Peake-Jones played Sue Bond in the BBC daytime soap opera, Doctors. In 2013 she appeared in the Doctor Who Christmas episode "The Time of the Doctor", playing a character called Marta. Since 2014 she has appeared in Grantchester as Mrs Sylvia Maguire, the vicar's religious and cantankerous housekeeper.

In 2019, Peake-Jones appeared on the ITV show All Star Musicals, singing "Mamma Mia" from Mamma Mia! the musical;

Personal life

Peake-Jones' former partner and father to her 2 children was actor Douglas Hodge, they separated in February 2013 after 27 years together. They have two children, Charlie and Molly-Rose.

Filmography

Film

Television