Patricia Hodge Reflects on Her Acting Journey and Personal Life

Patricia Hodge, the celebrated actress born in Lincolnshire, has taken on the role of Mrs. Pumphrey in the television series “All Creatures Great and Small.” She stepped into this character following the passing of her predecessor, Dame Diana Rigg. This marks another compelling role for Hodge, who has had a prolific career, with notable performances in “Jemima Shore Investigates” and the widely popular comedy series “Miranda,” where she played Penny, the mother of Miranda Hart‘s character.

In addition to her professional achievements, Hodge is a mother of two sons and experienced a marriage with Peter Douglas Owen from 1976 until his death in 2016. Reflecting on the personal impact of her achievements, she spoke about receiving the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) a year after her husband’s death. “The day it arrived happened to be my late husband Peter’s birthday, and I also had to go to a friend’s memorial, so it was a bit of a gloomy day really,” Hodge mentioned to Sophie Farrah.

She humorously recounted her initial encounter with the OBE notification, which arrived in a plain envelope from the cabinet office—something she mistook for an election pamphlet. Despite the significant honor, Hodge revealed she kept the news private initially, even from her sons, Alexander and Edward, describing her reaction as “a bit embarrassed and stunned.”

Patricia Hodge also shared her affection for her colleagues from “Miranda,” especially highlighting her friendship with the series protagonist, Miranda Hart. “We are all great friends in real life,” she shared, adding that Hart affectionately refers to her as “mum two.”

Life off-screen is serene for Hodge, who lives by the river in Barnes, South West London. After her husband’s passing, she admitted that her life has changed significantly. The couple’s move to Barnes was originally influenced by Owen’s work in the music industry, particularly at the renowned Olympic Studios.

Discussing her current role in “All Creatures Great and Small,” Hodge fondly remembered working with her on-screen pet, Derek, who has now retired. “He has his own stand-in, Dora,” she shared, praising the training that made Dora a remarkable substitute.

Viewers can see Hodge in “All Creatures Great and Small,” which airs on Channel 5 on Thursdays at 9 p.m.