Prunella Scales
Prunella Margaret Rumney West Scales CBE (née Illingworth; 22 June 1932) was an English former actor, best known for playing Sybil Fawlty, wife of Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), in the BBC comedy Fawlty Towers; for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution (Screen One, BBC 1991) by Alan Bennett (for which she was nominated for a BAFTA award); and for the documentary series Great Canal Journeys (2014–2021), in which she travels on canal barges and narrowboats with her husband, fellow actor Timothy West.
Filmography (104 titles)
MovieThe Cancellation Of Fawlty Towers
2025
8.0Movie50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
Self · 2014
8.8ShowGreat Canal Journeys
Self · 2014
5.0MovieSub Rosa
Madame · 2014
7.3MovieThe Phone Call
Joan · 2013
4.4MovieRun For Your Wife
Woman in Pub · 2012
5.2MovieHorrid Henry: The Movie
Great Aunt Greta · 2011
8.4MovieFawlty Towers: Re-Opened
Self / Sybil Fawlty · 2009
6.9MovieThe Shell Seekers
Dolly Keeling · 2007
Think
Customer · 2007
MovieWhat the Pythons Did Next...
Self · 2007
MovieMr. Loveday's Little Outing
Lady Moping · 2006
5.0MovieFawlty Towers Revisited
Herself · 2005
The Funny Blokes of British Comedy
Sybil Fawlty (archive footage) (uncredited) · 2005
7.8ShowAgatha Christie's Marple
Mrs Mackenzie · 2004
Looking for Victoria
Self / Victoria · 2003
7.8ShowThe Royal
Red Admiral · 2003
7.0ShowDickens
Elizabeth Dickens · 2002
A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg
Grace · 2002
Station Jim
Queen Victoria · 2001
7.0MovieThe Ghost of Greville Lodge
Sarah · 2000
4.4MovieMad Cows
Dr. Minny Stinkler · 1999
3.4ShowLoose Women
Self · 1999
6.5MovieAn Ideal Husband
Lady Markby · 1999
5.6MovieStiff Upper Lips
Aunt Agnes · 1998
ShowKeeping Mum
Marjorie · 1997
MovieAn Audience with Alf Garnett
1997
7.5ShowMidsomer Murders
Eleanor Bunsall · 1997
6.6MovieEmma
Miss Bates · 1996
5.5MovieBreaking the Code
Sara Turing · 1996