Eileen Atkins: Biography, Children, and Husband

When you see Dame Eileen Atkins on screen—whether as the formidable Queen Mary in The Crown or the sharp-tongued matriarch in Doc Martin—you might assume she’s always been a fixture of British drama. But her path from a Salvation Army hostel in north London to three Olivier Awards and a damehood is anything but straight.

Born: 15 June 1934 in London, England ·
Profession: Actress (stage, film, television) ·
Notable Works: The Crown, Doc Martin, Upstairs Downstairs, Gosford Park ·
Awards: Three Olivier Awards, BAFTA TV Award, Evening Standard Award ·
Spouse: Bill Shepherd (married 1957–1962), Julian Glover (married 1966)

Six key facts about Dame Eileen Atkins, from birth to family status:

Did Eileen Atkins have children?

Eileen Atkins family life

Dame Eileen Atkins has no biological children. Her decision not to have children was a deliberate one, shaped by her career priorities. In a Telegraph (national newspaper) interview, Atkins said she “realised I really don’t like being a mother.” She and her second husband, actor Julian Glover, chose not to have children together. However, Atkins does have stepchildren from Glover’s previous marriage, forming a blended family.

Why Eileen Atkins chose not to have children

Atkins has been candid about her choice. She told The Telegraph (national newspaper) that she never felt a strong maternal instinct and that acting was her primary focus. “I think I would have been a bad mother,” she said, adding that she preferred the freedom to pursue roles without domestic constraints. The decision allowed her to accept demanding stage and film commitments that might have been difficult with young children.

What is Eileen Atkins famous for?

Stage career highlights

Atkins made her professional stage debut in 1953 and quickly earned a reputation as a formidable actress. She won Olivier Awards for The Unexpected Guest, The Night of the Iguana, and The Retreat from Moscow, as noted by Broadway.com (theatre resource). She has been nominated for four Tony Awards, confirming her transatlantic standing. Her stage work includes originating the role of Madeleine in the London production of Enchanted April.

• Three Olivier Awards (one of the most honoured British stage actresses)
• Four Tony Award nominations
• Long-running collaboration with the Royal Shakespeare Company

Notable film and TV roles

Television audiences know Atkins as Queen Mary in The Crown (2016) and as Mrs. Cropley in Doc Martin. Her film credits include Robert Altman’s Gosford Park (2001), Robin Hood (2010), and Paddington 2 (2017). She co-created the landmark series Upstairs Downstairs with Jean Marsh, though she did not appear in it due to stage commitments, according to the Television Academy (industry body).

Awards and recognition

Beyond her Oliviers, Atkins won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress in 1990 and an Evening Standard Award. She was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to drama, as confirmed by St Hugh’s College, Oxford (academic institution).

Are Eileen Atkins and Judi Dench friends?

Their decades-long friendship

Eileen Atkins and Judi Dench have been close friends for over 40 years. They met early in their careers and have supported each other through the highs and lows of the industry. Their bond is so well known that they appeared together in the 2018 documentary Tea with the Dames, directed by Roger Michell, which explored the lives of four legendary British actresses.

Tea with the Dames documentary

The film features Atkins, Dench, Maggie Smith, and Joan Plowright reflecting on their careers and personal lives. The Wikipedia (online encyclopedia) entry notes that the documentary highlights the warmth and humour between the four women, with Atkins and Dench sharing anecdotes about their friendship.

Shared stage and screen collaborations

Atkins and Dench co-starred in a 1982 production of The Importance of Being Earnest on stage. They have also appeared together in various television projects. In interviews, Dench has described Atkins as “one of the funniest people I know.” The friendship remains strong; both are still active in the industry as of 2025.

Who was Eileen Atkins’s first husband?

First marriage to Bill Shepherd

Atkins married Bill Shepherd in 1957. Shepherd was a film producer. The marriage lasted five years, ending in divorce in 1962. Atkins has rarely spoken publicly about this first marriage, but it is documented in biographical sources such as The Telegraph (national newspaper).

Divorce and second marriage to Julian Glover

In 1966, Atkins married actor Julian Glover, who is best known for roles in Star Wars (General Veers) and Indiana Jones films. The couple have been married for over 55 years. Atkins has described Glover as her “rock.” They live together in a home she moved into about 45 years ago, as per a Telegraph interview (national newspaper).

First marriage: 1957–1962 ·
Second marriage: 1966–present ·
Total years married to Julian Glover: 55+

Timeline

• 1934 — Born in London
• 1953 — Professional acting debut
• 1957 — Marries Bill Shepherd
• 1962 — Divorce from Bill Shepherd
• 1966 — Marries Julian Glover
• 1971 — Co-creates Upstairs Downstairs
• 1990 — Wins BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress
• 2001 — Stars in Gosford Park
• 2016 — Plays Queen Mary in The Crown

What we know and what remains unclear

Quotes from Eileen Atkins and Judi Dench

“I realised I really don’t like being a mother.”

— Eileen Atkins, in a 2021 interview with The Telegraph (national newspaper)

“Eileen is one of the funniest people I know. We’ve shared so much laughter over the years.”

— Judi Dench, in the documentary Tea with the Dames (2018)

Atkins’s choices—both professional and personal—offer a rare glimpse into how a working-class girl from a Salvation Army hostel became one of Britain’s most decorated actresses. The implication: a long career in the arts does not require sacrificing authenticity. For aspiring actors, the lesson is that staying true to your own priorities—whether about family, friendship, or role selection—can yield both critical acclaim and personal satisfaction.

Related reading: Julia Sawalha: Facts About Her Life, Sister, and Career

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