Wednesday Trivia Question

What British actress doubled for Queen Elizabeth II in the Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics?

Basically, if you recall the 2012 Olympics in London, the Opening Ceremonies were directed by filmmaker Danny Boyle and featured, among other things, Rowan Atkinson playing a Mr. Bean-type character and Daniel Craig as James Bond escorting Queen Elizabeth II to the Olympic stadium via helicopter. By now, the Queen’s parachuting from the chopper is the stuff of Olympic legend but no one should have thought for even half a second that the British monarch was actually executing the stunt herself. No, that duty fell to stuntperson Gary Connery in a dress. The Queen herself didn’t even get into the helicopter with Bond – that was yet another double!

The double in question is a British actress who has appeared in a few programs we’ve broadcast over the years including some British comedies of note and a few Masterpiece series, one in which she starred. The actress, who is currently 82 years old, spoke of her role as Queen Elizabeth II to The Telegraph, saying, “I’d worked with the director before and she thought it was something I’d be prepared to do, but she did say she had one provision – she’d have to see my legs – because the Queen actually has very good legs and they’d be on show getting into the helicopter.”

Now with all that in mind, you may still have no idea as to the identity of the actress. If so, don’t worry – this is some obscure trivia to be sure! But sometimes the more challenging, the better.

So who is it? What British actress doubled for Queen Elizabeth II in the Opening Ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics?

Monday Montage

What’s happening, what’s on and what’s interesting this week …

Go inside the daily lives of those who live and work in the capital of the Holy See. From the Pope to the gardener to the head of security, get behind-the-scenes access to the inner workings of the world’s most famous Roman city-state. See what goes on INSIDE THE VATICAN – Tuesday night at 9 on UNC-TV.

Check out some of the best bits from The Big Night In, a charity telethon that the BBC aired last week to support those affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Not only did Dawn French reprise her role from The Vicar of Dibley but all the surviving Doctors got together (in spirit) to salute the NHS!

Where Do I Know That Actor? (Yesterday Edition)

Every now and again I like to venture away from the programs UNC-TV offers and look outward to pop culture. Since the actors who perform on MASTERPIECE and your favorite Britcoms have careers beyond public broadcasting, it’s fun to seek them out and see what they are up to on the big screen, whether it’s the latest summer blockbuster or indie smash.

This week, I shine the spotlight on director Danny Boyle’s latest film, YESTERDAY. Unfortunately, the movie (which is #3 at the domestic box office) has gotten mixed reviews but I love the premise: after an accident, a musician realizes he is the only one who remembers the Beatles. The screenplay is by Richard Curtis, a man known for his successful rom coms. However, Curtis has written for a few shows we’ve aired in the past like Not The Nine O’Clock News, Mr. Bean and The Vicar Of Dibley.