
Alison Steadman (born 26 August 1946) is an English actor. She won the 1991 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the Mike Leigh (her husband 1973-2001) film Life is Sweet, and the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role as Mari in the original production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. In a 2007 Channel 4 poll, the "50 Greatest Actors" voted for by other actors, she was ranked No. 42.
Steadman made her professional stage debut in 1968 and went on to establish her career in Mike Leigh's 1970s TV plays Nuts in May (1976) and Abigail's Party (1977). She received BAFTA TV Award nominations for the 1986 BBC serial The Singing Detective, and in 2001 for the ITV drama series Fat Friends (2000–05). Other television roles include Pride and Prejudice (1995), Gavin & Stacey (2007–10, 2019) and Orphan Black (2015–16). Her other film appearances include A Private Function (1984), Clockwise (1986), Shirley Valentine (1989), Topsy Turvy (1999), and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004).

The King's Man
2021 · as Rita

Better Man
2024 · as Betty

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
1988 · as Daisy

Stitch Head
2025 · as Nan (voice)

Secrets & Lies
1996 · as Woman with Dog

Life Is Sweet
1991 · as Wendy

Dad's Army
2016 · as Mrs. Fox

Topsy-Turvy
1999 · as Madame Leon

The Life and Death of Peter Sellers
2004 · as Casting Agent

Shirley Valentine
1989 · as Jane

French Exchange
2011 · as Mrs. Phillips

Joke
2026 · as Vet

Gavin & Stacey: A Fond Farewell
2025 · as Self

Fanny Hill
2007 · as Mrs. Brown

Wake
2023 · as Grace

Stormy Monday
1988 · as Mayor

Confetti
2006 · as Sam's Mum

Selling Hitler
1993 · as Edda Goering