A standout in many a British drama, (having starred in series set in almost every time period, from Regency’s Sense & Sensibility, to present day Deadwater Fell) you’d be forgiven if you didn’t realise how often Madeley blesses our screens - she’s a total chameleon! Embodying her characters in such a way that even if her physical appearance has not been altered, the audience is quickly mesmerised by her craft, forgetting that she’s the actor behind it all. It’s how Madeley slips through the net so easily and leaves you thinking “Really? That was her?!” when you google the cast list later. With so many credits to Madeley’s name, this spotlight could run forever, but I’ve narrowed it down to a few of my personal faves.
All Creatures Great and Small (2020)
This cosy historical drama based on the books by James Herriot is a comfort show for many, and at the heart of it all stand’s Madeley’s character, the remarkable Mrs Hall. A minor character in the books and original series, the reboot makes her one of its most powerful. So much more than a Housekeeper of a busy Veterinary Practice, she is the heart and soul of Skeldale House, without whom the created family we’ve come to know and love on-screen would not exist. Always there to patch up any problems between those she loves with a warm smile or a reprimand, this role showcases Madeley’s embodiment of character. Mrs Hall’s strong Yorkshire accent, her tone, her mannerisms, and even the way she holds herself, are completely different to Madelely in real life. There’s just something about the way she plays this character which allows her to completely transform.
Lewis - 'For Whom the Gods Would Destroy'
Starring in the very first episode, Madeley sets the tone for the long-running Oxford based crime drama. Following Newcastle’s own Kevin Whately as Geordie Detective Robert Lewis, Madeley stars as Anne Sadikov, a steadfast wife seemingly trapped in her marriage to an explosive husband. Spoiler - all is not what it seems - she’s been orchestrating the string of murders in the episode all-along. However, it’s a tragic and complex case, devoted to righting an incredible wrong. The episode is poignant, allowing Madeley to encompass a whole range of emotions, from almost saintly, to cold-blooded and calculated. It’s all in her eyes, the way they switch from hardened to haunted, soft and grieving.
Special mention - Agatha Christie's Miss Marple: A Pocket Full of Rye
Madeley is unrecognisable as Adele Fortescue, the peroxide blonde trophy wife who stands to inherit her older husband’s entire estate when the horrid man is murdered. Previous roles mentioned in this list have been beloved and/or complex, but this one is childish and spoiled which certainly goes to show Madeley’s diverse range. It’s also a moment to appreciate her brilliant accent work, each role mentioned here is delivered in an accent that is not the actor’s own, and they never fail to hit the mark. This character is so divorced from her usual look that I had an argument with my parents over whether Madeley played her at all, which further goes to show the actor’s aforementioned chameleonic abilities!