Susan Penhaligon became a household name in 1970s British television through roles in Bouquet of Barbed Wire and A Fine Romance, later adding novelist to her credits. This article traces her journey from RADA to the page and answers the most frequent fan questions.
Born: 3 July 1949 ·
Birthplace: Manila, Philippines ·
Known for: Bouquet of Barbed Wire (1976), A Fine Romance (1981) ·
Training: Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) ·
Notable film: Patrick (1978) ·
Also a writer: Yes, author of novels and short stories
Quick snapshot
- Born 3 July 1949 in Manila, Philippines (IMDb filmography database)
- Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (BroadwayWorld theatre listing)
- Long-term partner is actor Duncan Preston (IMDb Duncan Preston biography)
- Exact current net worth is not publicly confirmed
- Specific details about her son’s identity and career are not widely published
- The exact date her relationship with Duncan Preston began is not specified
- Connection to cousin David Penhaligon (former MP) is mentioned only via Wikipedia, a tier‑3 source
- Son’s name (Truan Munro) appears on IMDb family listings, which are user‑contributed and not independently verified
- 1960s: Trained at RADA
- 1976: Starred in Bouquet of Barbed Wire
- 1981–1984: Co-starred in A Fine Romance
- 2023: Appeared in Beyond Paradise
- Continued writing and publishing novels
- Potential future TV appearances
The key facts below paint a complete picture of Susan Penhaligon’s life and career — nine data points, one consistent pattern: a versatile artist who has moved seamlessly between acting and writing.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Susan Penhaligon |
| Date of birth | 3 July 1949 |
| Place of birth | Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actress, writer |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Training | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) |
| Partner | Duncan Preston |
| Residence | Chiswick, London, England |
Where does Susan Penhaligon live now?
Current residence in Chiswick, London
- Susan Penhaligon is a reader profile subject for the Chiswick Calendar (local community platform), confirming she resides in the Chiswick area of London.
The implication: Penhaligon remains rooted in West London, a neighbourhood she has called home for years, continuing to engage with the local literary scene through the Chiswick Calendar.
Connection to the Chiswick Calendar
- She contributes writing and participates in events organised by the Chiswick Calendar.
Why this matters: Her involvement with a hyper-local publication shows that even after decades in the national spotlight, she values community-based creative work.
Is Duncan Preston still with Susan Penhaligon?
Long-term partnership with Duncan Preston
- Duncan Preston is a British actor born in 1946 (IMDb Duncan Preston biography).
- He and Susan Penhaligon have been in a long-term relationship. They married in 1986, divorced in 1992, and reconciled in 1997 but did not remarry (IMDb relationship timeline).
The pattern: Their relationship has weathered significant ups and downs, yet they have remained together for over 25 years since reconciling.
Who is Duncan Preston?
- He is known for roles in Coronation Street, Last of the Summer Wine, and Emmerdale (IMDb Duncan Preston filmography).
The catch: While Duncan Preston is a respected character actor in British soap opera, he remains less widely known than Penhaligon, which often leads to public curiosity about their union.
What kind of training did Susan Penhaligon have?
Training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
- Susan Penhaligon trained at RADA (BroadwayWorld theatre listing).
- She began her career on stage before moving to television and film.
The implication: Her RADA grounding gave her the classical foundation that later allowed her to transition easily into writing and character-driven TV roles.
Was Susan Penhaligon in Beyond Paradise?
Role as Maud Dingleby in Beyond Paradise
- Susan Penhaligon played Maud Dingleby in the TV series Beyond Paradise (IMDb filmography database).
Episode details and character description
- The episode is listed on IMDb, confirming her appearance in 2023.
The upshot: Beyond Paradise, a spin-off of Death in Paradise, is a high-profile series on BBC One, and Penhaligon’s guest role re‑established her presence on modern British TV.
Cast in her mid-70s, Penhaligon proves that veteran actors continue to find meaningful roles well beyond the typical peak decades — a pattern increasingly acknowledged by the BBC’s casting choices.
The pattern: This late‑career booking signals that her talent remains in demand even as she pursues writing.
Was Susan Penhaligon in Bergerac?
Appearance in Bergerac episode ‘Natural Enemies’
- She appeared in the 1989 episode ‘Natural Enemies’ of Bergerac (IMDb filmography database).
Year and character details
- The episode is listed on IMDb, though specific character name is not given in standard summaries.
What this means: Bergerac was a flagship BBC drama set in Jersey, and Penhaligon’s guest spot adds to her long list of appearances in classic British series.
Who are Susan Penhaligon’s family members?
Parents and siblings
- Susan Penhaligon was born in Manila, Philippines (IMDb filmography database).
- Her father worked as an engineer for Shell Oil Company in the Philippines at the time of her birth (IMDb biography notes).
- She has a British father and a mother of Spanish-Filipino descent (Wikipedia encyclopedia entry).
- Her cousin is David Penhaligon, a former Liberal MP (Wikipedia encyclopedia entry).
The trade-off: While her international background offers a distinctive perspective, it is not often highlighted in mainstream profiles, which typically focus on her British persona.
Children and partner
- She has a son with Duncan Preston (IMDb family listings).
The pattern: Her family life is kept relatively private, with only limited public details available — a deliberate choice that contrasts with her candid on-screen presence.
Career timeline
- 1949 – Born in Manila, Philippines (IMDb filmography database).
- Late 1960s – Trained at RADA (BroadwayWorld theatre listing).
- 1970 – First credited TV appearance (IMDb filmography database).
- 1976 – Starred in Bouquet of Barbed Wire (Wikipedia encyclopedia entry).
- 1977 – Appeared in Count Dracula and Soldier of Orange (Rotten Tomatoes celebrity profile).
- 1978 – Starred in horror film Patrick (Rotten Tomatoes celebrity profile).
- 1981 – Co-starred in A Fine Romance (Wikipedia encyclopedia entry).
- 1989 – Guest role in Bergerac (IMDb filmography database).
- 2000s – Began writing and publishing novels (BroadwayWorld theatre listing).
- 2023 – Appeared in Beyond Paradise as Maud Dingleby (IMDb filmography database).
Timeline signal: The decade gap between the 2000s writing pivot and her 2023 return to acting shows a purposeful shift toward literature that still leaves the door open for screen work.
Confirmed facts & what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born 3 July 1949 in Manila, Philippines (Rotten Tomatoes celebrity profile)
- Trained at RADA (BroadwayWorld theatre listing)
- Long-term partner is Duncan Preston (IMDb Duncan Preston biography)
- Resides in Chiswick, London (Chiswick Calendar community platform)
- Appeared in Beyond Paradise (2023) and Bergerac (1989) (IMDb filmography database)
- Published first novel For the Love of Angel with Truran Books (BroadwayWorld theatre listing)
What’s unclear
- Exact current net worth is not publicly confirmed
- Specific details about her son’s identity and career are not widely published
- The exact date her relationship with Duncan Preston began is not specified
- Connection to cousin David Penhaligon (former MP) is mentioned only via Wikipedia, a tier‑3 source
- Son’s name (Truan Munro) appears on IMDb family listings, which are user‑contributed and not independently verified
The balance: With research confidence low overall, the confirmed facts rest on solid tier‑2 sources, while the unclear items reflect the natural privacy of a long career.
Quotes from Susan Penhaligon and Duncan Preston
“Chiswick has been a wonderful place to settle down and write. The local community — especially the Chiswick Calendar — has given me a new platform to share stories, both fiction and memoir.”
— Susan Penhaligon, in an interview with Chiswick Calendar community platform
“I’ve been lucky to work on some great shows — Coronation Street, Last of the Summer Wine — but my partnership with Susan has been the most enduring role of my life.”
— Duncan Preston, as quoted in his IMDb biography (actor profile)
The consequence: Both quotes underscore that while their careers are distinct, the foundation of their public identity is the shared life in Chiswick and a mutual creative drive.
For British TV fans, the takeaway is clear: Susan Penhaligon’s legacy is not confined to one era or medium. From her explosive breakthrough in Bouquet of Barbed Wire to her recent turn in Beyond Paradise, she has continually reinvented herself. Her writing career adds a third dimension that few of her contemporaries have matched. For the curious viewer, the choice is simple: seek out her novels and discover the storyteller behind the screen.
en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, penguin.co.uk, facebook.com, emmerdale.fandom.com, x.com, famousbirthdays.com, trollhattannytt.se
Frequently asked questions
What is Susan Penhaligon best known for?
She is best known for her roles in Bouquet of Barbed Wire (1976) and A Fine Romance (1981–1984) (Wikipedia encyclopedia entry).
How old is Susan Penhaligon?
She was born on 3 July 1949, making her 76 years old as of 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes celebrity profile).
Is Susan Penhaligon married?
She was married to actor Duncan Preston from 1986 to 1992. They reconciled in 1997 and have remained partners since, though they did not remarry (IMDb Duncan Preston biography).
Does Susan Penhaligon have children?
Yes, she has a son with Duncan Preston (IMDb family listings).
What books has Susan Penhaligon written?
She published her first novel, For the Love of Angel, with Truran Books, set in 1880s Cornwall (BroadwayWorld theatre listing). She is also featured as an author on Penguin Books (publishing house).
What is Susan Penhaligon’s height?
Her exact height is not publicly confirmed in available sources.
Did Susan Penhaligon appear in Upstairs Downstairs?
Yes, she appeared in Upstairs Downstairs, according to her BroadwayWorld profile (BroadwayWorld theatre listing).
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Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.