Today I heard the sad news of the loss of the talented actress Haydn Gwynn. His agent said in a heartfelt statement that Haydn died in hospital surrounded by his beloved sons and close family and friends. We would like to thank the dedicated staff at the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Brompton Hospital for the exceptional care they provided in his final weeks.
Haydn Gwynne has made a lasting impact throughout his career, both on television and on stage. He is best remembered for his brilliant portrayal of cynical assistant editor Alex Pates in the Channel 4 editorial satire Drop Dead Ass. His work has been nominated for an Olivier Award and a Tony Award. He received special acclaim as a dance teacher in “Billy Elliot the Musical” in London and New York. Her extraordinary talent also earned her three Olivier nominations for her roles in City of Angels, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and The Threepenny Opera.
Those who had the privilege of working with Haydn Gwynn admired his special qualities. Jack Thorne, author of When Winston Battled the Wireless, expressed his admiration for Haydn, describing him as “a most kind and gentle soul and a brilliant artist”. Fellow writer Jonathan Harvey called him “talented and versatile”. “comprehensive”.
In September 2023, Haydn withdrew from the anticipated West End revue Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends before its release. She previously gave an unforgettable performance of Ladies Who Lunch at the Old Friends gala premiere in May 2022. Producer Cameron Mackintosh expressed his gratitude, saying Haydn was an integral part of the united company. Haydn Gwynne’s outstanding contribution to West End theater deserves special mention.
Her roles included Margaret Thatcher in Peter Morgan’s play The Spectator in 2013, where she played the Queen alongside Helen Mirren. She also captivated audiences at the Donmar as the gilded landlord Wishforth in the revival comedy The Way of the World in 2018 and as an idle judge in The Great British Musical in 2023. Her performance as Queen Elizabeth in Richard III alongside Kevin Spacey at London’s Old Vic in 2011 and Volumnia in Coriolanus at the RSC in 2017 left an indelible mark on Shakespeare’s work. He died at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer.
Haydn Gwynne’s versatility as an actress is evident in her ability to bring royal and noble characters to life. She portrayed Camilla as a “soap opera villain” in the Channel 4 comedy The Windsors and played Susan Hussey, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Imelda Staunton, in Netflix’s The Crown. Playing a sly gallery owner in the BBC’s Sherlock and recurring roles in Peak Practice and Merseybeat further showcased his talents.
Although best known for her role as an English teacher in the 1989 TV series Good Job, Gwynne Gwynn played Alex Pates, second in command to editor George Dent, in Drop Dead Ass. From Globe Link News. Haydn captivated audiences with his extraordinary comedic timing and earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Light Entertainment Performance. He played the character in the first two series of the hit comedy before parting ways with GlobeLink. Haydn Gwynne was born in West Sussex and discovered his passion for acting through a local amdram production.
He studied sociology at the University of Nottingham and studied theater as a student at the Edinburgh Fringe. Despite not attending drama school, her extraordinary talent shone through and she achieved a major success in 1984 when Alan Ayckbourn directed Sandy Wilson’s musical His Monkey Woman, based on John Collier’s novel, in Scarborough. Haydn had two sons with his partner Jason Phipps. Today we remember Haydn Gwynn as a talented actress who graced the stage and screen with her remarkable performances. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of actors and leave an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.
