Emma Thompson's famous mum Phyllida Law dies after six decade-long acting career

Phyllida Law, the mother of actresses Sophie and Emma Thompson, has died as confirmed by her manager after a hugely successful acting career that spanned for almost 70 years

Bekka Barnard Showbiz & TV Reporter

15:00, 18 Aug 2026Updated 15:13, 18 Aug 2026

[Phyllida was mother to actresses Sophie and Emma Thompson]

Phyllida was mother to actresses Sophie and Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson's famous mother Phyllida Law has sadly died. The Scottish actress passed aged 94, reportedly surrounded by her loved ones.

Phyllida is best known for starring in Jane Austen's Emma, voicing a role in Nanny McPhee and for being actress Emma Thompson's mother. Emma also starred as the title character in Nanny McPhee.

Phyllida's manager Jacky Leggo confirmed the devastating news on 18 August, stating that the actress "died supremely peacefully at home, surrounded by all of her family." She began her career after training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where she met her husband Eric Thompson.

[Phyllida pictured with Alan Rickman and her daughter Emma Thompson]

Phyllida pictured with Alan Rickman and her daughter Emma Thompson(Image: Daily Record)

Throughout the 50s she starred in Dr Finlay's Casebook, Dixon of Dock Green and The Troubleshooters.

In the 1980s she appeared alongside her daughter Emma in Peter's Friends, which was also directed by Emma's then-husband Kenneth Branagh.

They reunited to star in The Winter Guest as mother and daughter, and Phyllida also appeared in Jane Austen's Emma with her other daughter Sophie.

[Phyllida's manager shared the sad news]

Phyllida's manager shared the sad news

Fans have taken to X/Twitter to share their tributes to the actress and one person tweeted: "RIP Phyllida Law. Very sad news. Obviously enduringly well-loved for her acting work but I also loved listening to her talking about the The Magic Roundabout, very funny."

Another said: "Sad to read that Phyllida Law has now passed away. Phyllida starred in many great works over 8 decades, as well as the 2002 adaptation of Stig of the Dump, filmed near my hiraeth place."

"Thoughts are with her daughters Emma and Sophie & other loved ones."

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