The BBC will be honouring late To the Manor Born star Dame Penelope Keith with a special night of programming after the actor passed away earlier this week.
Keith, also known for her role in comedy The Good Life and for her prolific theatre career, passed away “peacefully” at her home in Surrey on 29 June at the age of 86.
Now, the BBC has announced an evening of programming to celebrate Keith’s life and work, with 2024 documentary Penelope Keith Remembers… To the Manor Born being broadcast again on Tuesday 14 July at 8pm on BBC Four.
BBC
The 14-minute documentary, which is currently available on iPlayer, stars Keith as she looks back on the sitcom which originally aired between 1979 and 1981, and returned to TV with a one-off special in 2007.
Created by Peter Spence, To The Manor Born starred Keith as upper-class Audrey fforbes-Hamilton, a woman who’s forced to sell her country estate after the death of her husband.
As she relocates to the lodge house, Audrey keeps an eye on the new owner Richard DeVere, played by Peter Bowles, with the two having a love-hate relationship.
Keith was also known for the role of social climber Margo Leadbetter in The Good Life, aired between 1975 and 1978.
Following the documentary, BBC Four will air a classic episode of To the Manor Born at 8.15pm, followed by an episode of The Good Life at 8.45pm.
A TV adaptation of Noël Coward’s play Hay Fever will air at 9.15pm, seeing Keith in the role of retired actress Judith Bliss.
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The sad news of Keith’s passing was shared by her family in a statement.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that Dame Penelope Keith died peacefully whilst living with cancer at her home in Surrey where she had lived for more than 50 years,” the statement reads.
“The family is grateful for the care and support she received throughout her treatments, and ask that their privacy be respected at this time.”
Penelope Keith Remembers… To the Manor Born airs at 8pm on Tuesday 14 July on BBC Four and iPlayer.
Reporter, Digital Spy
Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).