Prunella Scales - Actor Profile

Prunella Scales

Acting
Freshness: Jan 20, 2026
50Total Films
8.0 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 22, 1932
Birth Place: Sutton Abinger, Surrey, England, UK

About Prunella Scales

Prunella Margaret Rumney West Scales CBE (née Illingworth; 22 June 1932) was an English former actor, best known for playing Sybil Fawlty, wife of Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), in the BBC comedy Fawlty Towers; for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (Screen One, BBC 1991) by Alan Bennett (for which she was nominated for a BAFTA award); and for the documentary series Great Canal Journeys (2014–2021), in which she travels on canal barges and narrowboats with her husband, fellow actor Timothy West.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Prunella Scales reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Prunella Scales's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 36% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Prunella Scales remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Consuming Passions, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Prunella Scales Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Prunella Scales's career based on audience ratings.

★8.0
Consuming Passions (1988) movie poster
★8.0

Consuming Passions — Adapted from a play written by two Monty Python vets, this toothy satire launches with a tragic accident at Chumley's ch

Consuming Passions

1988•Comedy
★8.0
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy (2014) movie poster
★8.0

50 Years of BBC Two Comedy — Documentary charting and celebrating five decades of often groundbreaking, boundary-pushing comedy from BBC Two.

50 Years of BBC Two Comedy

2014•Documentary
★8.0
Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened (2009) movie poster
★8.0

Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened — 30 years after Fawlty Towers (1975) ended, Stephen Fry narrates a documentary about the making of this classic sitcom.

Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened

2009•Documentary
★8.0
The Merry Wives of Windsor (1982) movie poster
★8.0

The Merry Wives of Windsor — When Sir John Falstaff decides that he wants to have a little fun he writes two letters to a pair of Window wives: Mistr

The Merry Wives of Windsor

1982•Comedy
★8.0
Absurd Person Singular (1985) movie poster
★8.0

Absurd Person Singular — A movie in three acts following three couples who, over three years, each host a Christmas party. The camera stays in th

Absurd Person Singular

1985•Comedy

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Prunella Scales.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2014 50 Years of BBC Two Comedy Self Super Hit Similar →
2014 Sub Rosa Madame Flop Similar →
2013 The Phone Call Joan Hit Similar →
2012 Run For Your Wife Woman in Pub Flop Similar →
2011 Horrid Henry: The Movie Great Aunt Greta Flop Similar →
2009 Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened Self / Sybil Fawlty Super Hit Similar →
2007 The Shell Seekers Dolly Keeling Hit Similar →
2007 What the Pythons Did Next... Self Flop Similar →
2006 Mr. Loveday's Little Outing Lady Moping Flop Similar →
2005 Fawlty Towers Revisited Herself Flop Similar →
2002 A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg Grace Flop Similar →
2001 Station Jim Queen Victoria Hit Similar →
2000 The Ghost of Greville Lodge Sarah Average Similar →
1999 Mad Cows Dr. Minny Stinkler Flop Similar →
1999 An Ideal Husband Lady Markby Average Similar →
1998 Stiff Upper Lips Aunt Agnes Flop Similar →
1997 An Audience with Alf Garnett - Flop Similar →
1996 Emma Miss Bates Hit Similar →
1996 Breaking the Code Sara Turing Flop Similar →
1996 Lord of Misrule Shirley Flop Similar →
1995 An Awfully Big Adventure Rose Hit Similar →
1994 Second Best Margery Hit Similar →
1994 Wolf Maude Waggins Average Similar →
1994 Fair Game Marjorie Flop Similar →
1992 Freddie As F.R.O.7. Queen (voice) Flop Similar →
1992 Howards End Aunt Juley Hit Similar →
1991 A Question of Attribution H.M.Q. Hit Similar →
1990 Dirty Beasts Narrator Flop Similar →
1990 Revolting Rhymes Narrator Flop Similar →
1989 Beyond The Pale Milly Flop Similar →
1989 A Chorus of Disapproval Hannah Ap Llewellyn Flop Similar →
1988 Consuming Passions Ethel Super Hit Similar →
1987 The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne Moira O'Neill Hit Similar →
1987 What the Butler Saw Mrs Prentice Flop Similar →
1985 Absurd Person Singular Marion Brewster-Wright Super Hit Similar →
1983 The Wicked Lady Lady Kingsclere Flop Similar →
1983 Singles Gail Average Similar →
1982 The Merry Wives of Windsor Mistress Page Super Hit Similar →
1982 Outside Edge Miriam Average Similar →
1978 Doris and Doreen Doris Rutter Average Similar →
1978 The Boys from Brazil Mrs. Harrington Hit Similar →
1978 The Hound of the Baskervilles Glynis Flop Similar →
1976 The Littlest Horse Thieves Mrs. Sandman Hit Similar →
1975 The Apple Cart Queen Jemima Flop Similar →
1962 Waltz of the Toreadors Estella Fitzjohn Flop Similar →
1958 Room at the Top Council Office Worker (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1954 The Crowded Day Customer Flop Similar →
1954 What Every Woman Wants Mary Average Similar →
1954 Hobson's Choice Vicky Hobson Hit Similar →
1953 Laxdale Hall Morag McLeod Average Similar →

Prunella Scales - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Prunella Scales?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Prunella Scales is "Consuming Passions" with a rating of 8.0/10.

How many movies has Prunella Scales acted in?

Prunella Scales has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Prunella Scales?

Other notable films include "50 Years of BBC Two Comedy", "Fawlty Towers: Re-Opened", and "The Merry Wives of Windsor".