Honestly, if you haven’t seen Zoë Wanamaker on your screen lately, you’re basically missing out on a masterclass in how to command a room without saying a single word. She’s one of those rare actors who can pivot from a harried sitcom mom to a terrifying ancient witch, and then somehow end up as a cigarette-puffing crime novelist, all while making it look like the easiest thing in the world.
She’s a powerhouse.
Most people recognize her immediately, but they can’t always place the show. Is it the one where she’s married to the grumpy dentist? Or the one where she’s training magical soldiers in a fantasy wasteland? Maybe it’s the one where she’s solving murders with a Belgian detective? The truth is, the Zoë Wanamaker TV series catalog is massive, spanning decades of British and American television history.
The Sitcom That Defined an Era: My Family
You can’t talk about her without mentioning My Family. For eleven years, Wanamaker played Susan Harper, the matriarch of the Harper household in Chiswick. This wasn't your typical "sweet" TV mom. Susan was a control freak. She was a terrible cook. She had a one-day marriage to a wrestler named Troy the Punisher in Las Vegas back in the 70s—a detail that still makes fans laugh.
Her chemistry with Robert Lindsay, who played the morose dentist Ben Harper, was the engine of the show. They had this "can’t live with them, can’t live without them" energy that felt remarkably real. It wasn't just about the jokes; it was about the exhaustion of raising three kids who refused to leave the nest.
From Murder Mysteries to Fantasy Empires
While My Family made her a household name for comedy, her dramatic range is where things get really interesting. Take her role as Ariadne Oliver in Agatha Christie’s Poirot. Starring alongside David Suchet, she brought a messy, apple-munching energy to the series. Ariadne was essentially a self-caricature of Agatha Christie herself—a crime writer who was constantly frustrated by her own fictional detective. Wanamaker appeared in six episodes, including the emotional Elephants Can Remember and Dead Man's Folly, which was actually filmed on Christie’s real estate at Greenway.
Then there’s the shift to high-fantasy.
In the Netflix hit Shadow and Bone, she played Baghra. If you haven't seen it, Baghra is the ancient, blunt teacher at the Little Palace who turns out to be the mother of the primary antagonist, the Darkling. Wanamaker brought a sharp, biting gravity to the role. She wasn't just playing a mentor; she was playing a woman burdened by centuries of family trauma and secrets.
The Roles You Forgot (But Shouldn't Have)
A lot of fans forget she was in the very first season of Prime Suspect back in 1991. She played Moyra Henson, the partner of the "prime suspect" George Marlow. It was a brittle, intense performance that earned her a BAFTA nomination. To prepare for it, Wanamaker actually stalked a real-life woman at a department store make-up counter because that woman was the inspiration for the character. She literally hid behind stocking racks to watch how the woman moved and talked. That’s the level of dedication we’re talking about here.
She’s also been a part of:
- Britannia: Playing Queen Antedia, a Celtic monarch who was basically a "Game of Thrones" style warrior queen with a shock of white hair and a thirst for revenge.
- Mr Selfridge: Joining the cast as Princess Marie de Bolotoff.
- Doctor Who: Providing the voice (and a very stretched-out face) for Lady Cassandra, the "last human" who was essentially just a piece of skin in a frame.
- Girlfriends: A more recent ITV drama where she played Gail Stanley, a woman juggling a divorce, a troubled son, and an aging mother.
Why She’s Still the Best in the Business
What most people get wrong about Wanamaker is thinking she’s just a character actor. She’s a lead who chooses to disappear into characters. Whether it’s the gritty realism of Criminal Record (her recent Apple TV+ series) or the campy fun of Worzel Gummidge, she never phones it in.
She holds dual British and American citizenship, which gives her this unique ability to fit into both Hollywood productions and BBC staples without ever feeling out of place. Her father, Sam Wanamaker, was the man responsible for rebuilding Shakespeare’s Globe in London, so the theater is in her DNA. You can see that stage training in her TV work—the way she uses her eyes, the pauses she takes, and that distinct, raspy voice.
Your Zoë Wanamaker Watchlist: Next Steps
If you're looking to dive into her work, don't just stick to the hits. Here is how you should actually approach her filmography:
- Start with "Prime Suspect" (Season 1): See her at her most raw and dramatic. It's only two episodes, but it's essential viewing.
- Binge "My Family" (Early Seasons): Skip the later years if you have to, but the first four seasons are peak British sitcom gold.
- Watch "Britannia": If you want to see her go full "warrior queen" mode. It's weird, it's trippy, and she is easily the best part of it.
- Check out "Criminal Record": Her recent turn as Doris Gilmour shows she hasn't lost an ounce of her edge in 2024 and 2025.
The best way to appreciate her is to watch these roles back-to-back. The whiplash you’ll get from seeing Susan Harper and then immediately seeing Queen Antedia is the best proof of why she remains one of the most respected actors on television today.
