British actress Joanna Bacon, known for her memorable roles in “Love Actually” and the long-running BBC soap opera “EastEnders,” died June 14 following a brief battle with cancer. She was 72 years old.
The Harlow Theatre Company announced Bacon’s death in the United Kingdom, where she had been a member since the organization’s inception in 1978. Her funeral service was held July 15, with many fellow actors and colleagues in attendance.
The theater company praised Bacon for her vibrant presence, quick wit, joyful energy, deep enthusiasm, and natural acting talent. They highlighted her participation in several productions at the Harlow Playhouse, where she stood out in notable roles such as Portia in The Merchant of Venice, Maddie in Dirty Linen, and Beverly in Abigail’s Party.
Bacon achieved widespread recognition for her role in the 2003 romantic comedy “Love Actually,” where she portrayed the mother of Natalie, played by Martine McCutcheon. In a memorable scene, Bacon’s character answers the door when Hugh Grant’s Prime Minister character arrives seeking her daughter. The film remains one of her most recognized performances to international audiences.
Throughout her extensive television career, Bacon appeared in numerous British productions including “EastEnders”, “Casualty,” “Prime Suspect,” “The Bill,” “Pie in the Sky,” “Little Britain,” “A Touch of Frost,” and “New Tricks.” She appeared in two episodes of “EastEnders” in 1993, playing the character Maggie.
More recently, Bacon gained critical acclaim for her performance in the FX series “Breeders,” which ran from 2020 to 2023. She appeared in 30 episodes over four seasons, playing Jackie, the mother of Martin Freeman’s character Paul. Her portrayal in the dark comedy series earned widespread praise and became a fan favorite role.
Bacon’s final television appearance came in 2024 when she appeared in six episodes of “Moonflower Murders” alongside Lesley Manville. The Harlow Theatre Company indicated that her next scheduled project was to be a character in Sharon Morgan’s upcoming series “Mandy.”
Beyond her screen work, Bacon maintained an active stage career throughout her life. She performed at prestigious venues including The Dukes Theatre in Lancaster, London’s Hampstead Theatre, The Sheffield Crucible, Stratford East, and the National Theatre. Her stage credits also included a role in Nell Dunn’s “Steaming” at The Dukes Theatre.
Following her cancer diagnosis in January 2025, Bacon reflected on her career and life experiences. She expressed gratitude for her opportunities and the people she had encountered throughout her professional journey, stating that she had no regrets about her life’s path.
At her funeral service, celebrant Jo Moore spoke about Bacon’s impact on audiences and colleagues. A longtime friend described her as having lived “a wonderful, elaborate, kaleidoscope with different sections for each of her passions.” The friend characterized her as both “a flamboyant extrovert” and “an introspective loner,” noting the complexity of her personality.
Fellow actors, including Martin Freeman, attended the funeral service to pay their respects. Another friend, Barry Bowen, praised Bacon’s loyalty to her friends and noted her work alongside prominent actors including Vanessa Redgrave, Peter O’Toole, Helen Mirren, Alan Bates, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, and Freeman throughout her career.
The Harlow Theatre Company emphasized Bacon’s continued support for local theater even as her career expanded. They noted that she regularly attended productions, often sitting in the front row with a notebook, maintaining her passion for theater and never failing to praise the work of fellow performers.
Bacon’s coffin departed the funeral service at GreenAcres Epping to the Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women.” As an animal lover, particularly devoted to dogs, she requested that donations be made to Mutts in Distress, a local charity supporting animal welfare.
Her career spanned more than three decades, with her first credited role dating back to 1991. Recent film work included a 2016 appearance in “A Quiet Passion” alongside Cynthia Nixon. Bacon began her acting journey in the 1960s and 1970s with amateur dramatic groups before achieving professional success.
Sources:
https://deadline.com/2025/07/joanna-bacon-dead-1236460293/
https://nypost.com/2025/07/17/entertainment/love-actually-and-eastenders-actress-joanna-bacon-dead-at-72/
https://www.thewrap.com/joanna-bacon-love-actually-actress-dies-at-72/
https://www.tvinsider.com/1203053/joanna-bacon-dead-actress-dies/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-jo-bacon-dead-love-35563519
