Phyllida Law (Elspeth)

Phyllida Law was born in Kelvinside, Glasgow and attended boarding school in Bristol. Originally intending to pursue a career in theater design, she took acting classes along with her technical studies, and quickly discovered where her preferences lay.

Law's stage work is wide and varied. She twice co-starred with Sir Alec Guinness, in "Habeus Corpus" and "A Voyage Round My Father" at Haymarket Theatre and played Dotty in "Noises Off" at the Savoy. Her film work includes roles in Douglas McGrath's Emma, Kenneth Branagh's Peter's Friends and Much Ado About Nothing, and Milos Menchevska's Oscar-nominated Before the Rain. Law has appeared on numerous British television programs, including Emma Thompson's comedy series and the popular dramas "Taggart" and "House of Eliot."

Law was married to the late theater director Eric Thompson, who also created the cult children's series "The Magic Roundabout." They had two daughters, actresses Sophie Thompson and Emma Thompson.