Jean Marsh, Emmy-Winning Star and Visionary Behind ‘Upstairs, Downstairs,’ Dies at 90

Jean Marsh, the British actress whose work behind and in front of the camera transformed television in the 1970s, has died at the age of 90. She passed away peacefully at her London home, with complications of dementia cited as the cause.

Marsh wasn’t just the star of Upstairs, Downstairs — she helped create it. Alongside fellow actor Eileen Atkins, Marsh co-created the iconic British drama that explored the lives of the wealthy Bellamy family and their household staff. The show became a cultural landmark, beloved both in the UK and internationally, and paved the way for shows like Downton Abbey decades later.

Playing Rose Buck, the house parlor maid, Marsh brought a mix of dignity, warmth, and quiet defiance to a role that spanned 54 episodes between 1971 and 1975. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1975 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She reprised the role again in the 2010 revival, proving her bond with the character and the world she helped build never truly faded.

Beyond Upstairs, Downstairs, Marsh’s career was a rich tapestry of bold characters and striking performances. She terrified audiences as Queen Bavmorda in Willow, stood out in Hitchcock’s Frenzy, and brought nuance to her roles in Return to Oz, Doctor Who, and dozens of stage performances across London and Broadway.

Her legacy is layered — not just as a performer, but as a trailblazing creative voice who shaped one of television’s most influential dramas. Jean Marsh didn’t just act in stories. She made them.