Diane F. Botcher (born 2 June 1959) is a Welsh actress. She has starred in several British television sitcoms and dramas, including the Sky comedy drama Stella, BBC comedies Little Britain and Tittybangbang and the ITV period drama Downton Abbey. In 2018, she joined Casualty as Jan Jenning.

Early life

Botcher was born on 2 June 1959 in Taibach, Port Talbot, Glamorgan, in Wales, one of the two children of parents Bernard and Glenys Botcher. She read English and drama at Warwick University, and after graduating, trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art drama school in London, then obtained an Equity card in the 1980s.

Career

Throughout her long career on stage and screen, Botcher has been receiving warm reviews. In a performance of the musical Blood Brothers with the Sherman Theatre Company in 1986, Botcher's performance as the "warm-hearted mum" was singled out by a reviewer as one of the good points in a production which needed "beefing up". Of Black Milk (2003), a reviewer wrote, "In a strong cast, Di Botcher is a beacon." Her performance in the 2017/18 revival of Follies was universally appreciated - "magical"; a "stunner of a set piece"; "wonderful".

In 2018, she began appearing in the BBC medical drama Casualty as Jan Jennings. Later that year, she also began portraying the role of Nana Margie in the BBC Three series In My Skin. 2022 BBC Radio 4 The Archers as Caitlin Thomas.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997Twin TownJean Lewis
2002All or NothingSupervisorCameo role
2002Ant MuzakDiana Fluck the Checkout AssistantShort film
2008Albert's SpeechGloriaShort film
2011Hunky DoryViv's mum
2012The Gospel of UsThe MotherSet in Botcher's birthplace
2013SvengaliMrs Cooper
2013One ChanceNurseCameo role
2015Under Milk WoodMrs Dai Bread Two
2020Dream HorseNerys
2021La Cha ChaMrs. Fruitcake

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1986Screen TwoOfficer KyleSeries 2, Episode 2
1987The District NurseEirlys ProsserSeries 3, Episode 6
1993, 1997The BillMrs. Oakes/Mrs. Edwards2 episodes
1997Harpur and IlesJane MellickTelevision film
1999SunburnWendy's mumSeries 1, Episode 3
1999Kavanagh QCTilly BurgessSeries 5, Episode 2
1999RhinocerosMegan JonesTelevision film
2001Fun at the Funeral ParlourEdithSeries 1, Episode 4
2001People Like UsFrances ChurchfieldSeries 2, Episode 6
2001The Armando Iannucci ShowsTinaturnerogram2 episodes
2001'OrribleDi ClarkRecurring character
2002CasualtyLouise TempletonSeries 16, Episode 26
2002Tipping the VelvetWoman with Cigar2 episodes
2002Cruise of the GodsMrs. HatcherTelevision film
2002–2008High HopesMrs. ColesRecurring character; 20 episodes
2003–2005Little BritainMarion/Meals on Wheels Lady6 episodes
2003–2009BelongingVanessaRecurring character
2004Green WingCatering ManagerSeries 1, Episode 3
2005All About GeorgeDorothy MickensEpisode 1
2005The Thick of ItPauline McKendrick, Piss WomanSeries 2, Episode 1
2005Bleak HouseMrs. Woodcourt2 episodes
2006–2007TittybangbangVarious characters5 episodes
2006–2008PullingMargaretRecurring character
2007IdealNicki's mumVoice only
2007Hotel BabylonMyra WalmesleySeries 2, Episode 8
2007Murphy's LawBrothel Madam2 episodes
2007After You've GoneSheilaSeries 2, Episode 5
2008Coming of AgeOllie's mumSeries 1, Episode 5
2008Dustbin BabyPatTelevision film
2008–2009Katy Brand's Big Ass ShowVarious characters5 episodes
2008, 2010, 2012DoctorsSharon Bretherton/Linda Bolton/Dorit Simpson3 episodes
2009No Signal!Various charactersSeries 1, Episode 9
2009CollisionMrs. Whitfield2 episodes
2010Lennon NakedDotTelevision film
2010SherlockConnie PrinceEpisode: "The Great Game"
2010Coming UpBernadetteSeries 8, Episode 4
2011Come Fly with MeMrs. TalbotEpisode 2
2011ShirleyMrs. MorrisonTelevision film about Dame Shirley Bassey
2011DCI BanksGraceSeries 2, Episode 3
2012Mr StinkA woman with a questionTelevision film
2013Downton AbbeyNanny WestSeries 4, Episode 1
2013–2017StellaAunty BrendaMain role
2014Inside No. 9JeanEpisode: "The Understudy"
2014Under Milk WoodMrs. Dai Bread OneTelevision film
2015Coronation StreetDebbie Allinson2 episodes
2015Top CoppersSandra
2015High HopesMrs Coles
2018–presentCasualtyJan JenningMain role
2018–2021In My SkinNana MargieMain role

Selected stage performances

YearTitleTheatreRole
1986Blood BrothersSherman TheatreMother
Richard IIIRoyal Shakespeare Company at the Adelaide Festival TheatreLady of the court
1986–1987A Midsummer Night's DreamRoyal Shakespeare CompanyTitania
1987SpeculatorsCarol Cutter
1990Sunday in the Park with GeorgeLondon RevivalFrieda (Act One) Elaine (Act Two)
CatsNew LondonGrizabella
1993–1994Sweeney ToddEnsemble
1995–1996A Little Night MusicMrs Anderssen
1995Under Milk WoodNational TheatreMiss Price; Mrs Beynon
1997Beauty and the BeastDominion TheatreMadame de la Grande Bouche
Cardiff EastVera, Marge and Dolly's friend
1999Card BoysBush TheatreIris
2000Flesh and BloodHampstead TheatreMarge
2003TerrorismRoyal CourtOld biddy
Black MilkRoyal CourtAuntie Pasha
2004Les MisérablesCopenhagenMadame Thenardier
2009A History Of Falling ThingsTheatr ClwydMum
ChicagoCambridge TheatreMatron "Mama" Morton
2010If So, Then YesJermyn Street TheatreWelsh charlady
2010–2011A Flea in Her EarOld VicOlympe
2017–2018FolliesNational TheatreHattie Walker

External links