Susan Penhaligon Now: Career, Marriage & Where She Is
There’s a reason audiences still recognise Susan Penhaligon when she appears on screen — even if they haven’t seen her in decades. Her career spans more than 50 years, from a breakthrough in the controversial 1976 ITV drama Bouquet of Barbed Wire to a recent turn in the BBC’s Beyond Paradise.
Born: 3 July 1949 ·
Birthplace: Manila, Philippines ·
Known for: Bouquet of Barbed Wire (1976) ·
Recent TV role: Maud Dingleby in Beyond Paradise (2023) ·
Married to: Duncan Preston (1980–1992) ·
Notable film: Patrick (1978)
Quick snapshot
- Appeared in Beyond Paradise (2023) – Mirror (UK news outlet)
- Married to Duncan Preston 1980–1992 – IMDb (industry database)
- British actress and writer born in Manila – ElCinema (entertainment database)
- Exact current hometown not publicly disclosed
- Whether she has future acting projects lined up
- Details about her child (name, age)
- Returned to TV in 2023 after a gap of several years – Wikipedia (encyclopedia)
- Breakthrough role in 1976 – Great British Life (regional magazine)
- No confirmed upcoming projects as of early 2025
- Continues to make occasional podcast appearances
10 facts about Susan Penhaligon, one takeaway: a career that has quietly moved from 1970s horror and domestic drama to contemporary countryside television without a single break in continuity.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Susan Penhaligon |
| Birth date | 3 July 1949 |
| Place of birth | Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actress, writer |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Notable works | Bouquet of Barbed Wire, Patrick, Beyond Paradise |
| Spouse | Duncan Preston (m. 1980–1992) |
| Children | 1 |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
Where is Susan Penhaligon now?
Current residence and lifestyle
Penhaligon lives in the United Kingdom, though her exact town has not been publicly confirmed. She grew up in Cornwall after her family returned from the Philippines, and she has described herself as “Cornish, not British” in a Great British Life (regional magazine) profile. She owns a home in the Chiswick area of London, according to the Chiswick Calendar (local news).
Recent public appearances
In 2023, Penhaligon appeared as Maud Dingleby in the BBC series Beyond Paradise. The Mirror (UK news outlet) reported that viewers did a double-take when they spotted her, noting she was 76 at the time. She also appeared as a guest on the podcast 26 Million Viewers! in 2023, discussing her career.
Penhaligon’s return to television after a long hiatus shows a career that persists quietly, not a retirement. For fans of classic British TV, her appearance in Beyond Paradise is a signal that she remains active in the industry.
The implication: Penhaligon continues to draw interest from casting directors and audiences alike, even after decades away from regular screen work.
Is Susan Penhaligon still acting?
Recent acting credits
Yes, her most recent role is Beyond Paradise (2023). Before that, she appeared in The Dead Room (2018), a Christmas ghost story by Mark Gatiss starring Simon Callow, as noted by the Chiswick Calendar (local news). Her last film role before 2020 was a short film in 2018.
Transition to writing
Penhaligon has also worked as a writer. Reports indicate she published the novel For the Love of Angel in 2008, according to ElCinema (entertainment database). She has not announced any new writing projects recently.
Penhaligon’s acting credits have become more selective over the past decade. She is not retired, but she is no longer pursuing a full-time screen career. The shift to writing suggests a deliberate broadening of her creative output.
What this means: Penhaligon has recalibrated her professional life around quality over quantity, choosing projects that fit her interests rather than maintaining a constant on-screen presence.
Was Susan Penhaligon in Beyond Paradise?
Character: Maud Dingleby
Yes, she played Maud Dingleby, a local resident in the BBC series Beyond Paradise. The Wikipedia (encyclopedia) entry for Penhaligon lists the role under her filmography. The series premiered in 2023 and is a spin-off of Death in Paradise.
Role in the series
Her character appeared in episode 4 of the first season. The Mirror (UK news outlet) described the moment as a “double-take” for fans who recognised her from earlier roles.
Who was Susan Penhaligon married to?
Marriage to Duncan Preston
Penhaligon was married to actor Duncan Preston from 1980 to 1992, according to IMDb (industry database). The couple had one child, a son named Truan, as reported in a The Independent (UK newspaper) profile.
Divorce and later relationships
According to IMDb (industry database), Penhaligon has been married three times and divorced three times. She has not remarried publicly since her divorce from Preston. Her later relationships are not well documented in public sources.
What is Duncan Preston doing now?
Acting career after divorce
Duncan Preston continues to act. His IMDb (industry database) credits include a short film in 2022. He is not publicly linked to Penhaligon currently.
Recent projects
Preston has appeared in stage productions and television guest roles. No further details about his personal life are available in mainstream sources.
Timeline signal
- 1949 – Born in Manila, Philippines.
- 1973 – First acting role (uncredited).
- 1976 – Breakthrough role in Bouquet of Barbed Wire – Great British Life (regional magazine)
- 1978 – Starred in horror film Patrick – Rotten Tomatoes (film aggregator)
- 1980 – Married Duncan Preston – IMDb (industry database)
- 1981 – Co-starred in A Fine Romance – Rotten Tomatoes (film aggregator)
- 1992 – Divorced Duncan Preston – IMDb (industry database)
- 2023 – Returned to TV as Maud Dingleby in Beyond Paradise – Mirror (UK news outlet)
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Susan Penhaligon appeared in Beyond Paradise (2023).
- She was married to Duncan Preston (1980–1992).
- She is a British actress and writer born in Manila.
- She trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art – ElCinema (entertainment database).
- She has one child, a son.
What’s unclear
- Her exact current hometown is not publicly disclosed.
- Whether she has future acting projects lined up.
- Details about her child (name, age) – conflicting reports exist.
- Her net worth is not publicly available.
In her own words
“I was a bit of a late starter – I didn’t start acting until I was in my twenties.”
Susan Penhaligon, in a 2002 interview with The Independent (UK newspaper)
“Viewers did a double-take when they spotted Susan Penhaligon in Beyond Paradise – she looked exactly the same as she did in the 1970s.”
Mirror (UK news outlet), 2023
The consequence for fans of classic British television is clear: Susan Penhaligon is not a Hollywood star chasing accolades, but a reliable character actress who has quietly built a half-century career. For anyone wondering whether she’ll appear again on screen, the pattern suggests she will — when the right role comes along.
imdb.com, kinopoisk.ru, broadwayworld.com, independent.co.uk, nybreakings.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
How old is Susan Penhaligon?
She was born on 3 July 1949, making her 75 years old as of 2024.
What is Susan Penhaligon’s net worth?
Her net worth is not publicly disclosed. Estimates vary widely and are not reliable.
Is Susan Penhaligon related to Susan George?
No, they are not related. Susan George is a different British actress.
Did Susan Penhaligon appear in Poldark?
No, she did not appear in Poldark. She is sometimes confused with other actresses.
Does Susan Penhaligon have children?
Yes, she has one son, Truan, from her marriage to Duncan Preston.
What is Susan Penhaligon’s height?
She is 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m).
How many movies has Susan Penhaligon been in?
She has appeared in over 30 film and television productions, according to IMDb (industry database).
Is Susan Penhaligon on Instagram?
She does not have a verified public Instagram account as of early 2025.
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