Una Stubbs Dies: The Fan Favourite Mrs. Hudson From Sherlock Died at 84
Una Stubbs, the English actress who played the eccentric Mrs. Hudson on Sherlock, died at 84 on Thursday, August 12, following an illness.
Una Stubbs was an English actress, television personality, and dancer who appeared on British television and in the theatre and less frequently in films. She became widely known for appearing in the film Summer Holiday (1963) and later played Rita Rawlins in the BBC sitcoms Till Death Us Do Part and In Sickness and Health. Other well-known television roles include Aunt Sally in Worzel Gummidge and Miss Bat in The Worst Witch. She also appeared as Sherlock Holmes’s landlady Mrs. Hudson in the BAFTA award-winning television series Sherlock.
“Mum passed away quietly today with her family around her, in Edinburgh,” a statement from the family reads. “We ask for privacy and understanding at this most difficult and sad of times.”
Rest In Peace Wonderful Una. ? pic.twitter.com/M6Q4mTYwWM
— Sherlock (@Sherlock221B) August 12, 2021
Her agent Rebecca Blond said:
“We are desperately sad to have lost not only a wonderful actress, whose screen and stage career, spanning over 50 years, was so extraordinarily varied, from Till Death Us Do Part to Sherlock, as well as memorable performances in the West End, at the Old Vic, Donmar Warehouse, Sheffield Crucible, and National Theatre, but also a wickedly funny, elegant, stylish, graceful, gracious and kind and constant friend.
“She was also a highly respected and exhibited artist. We will miss her enormously and remember her always.”
Stubbs was born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, the daughter of Angela K. Rawlinson and Clarence Reginald Stubbs. She grew up in Hinckley, Leicestershire. She was married to the actor Peter Gilmore from 1958 to 1969: they adopted a son, Jason. After their divorce in 1969, she married actor Nicky Henson. They divorced in 1975 but remained good friends. She and Henson had two children: composer Christian Henson (born 25 December 1971) and musician-composer Joe Henson (born 18 September 1973).
Oh no, dear Aunt Sally , this is such sad news, rest in peace dear #UnaStubbs You will be so missed. pic.twitter.com/s8oDA3xGRk
— Talking Pictures TV (@TalkingPicsTV) August 12, 2021
Stubbs had known her Sherlock co-star Benedict Cumberbatch since he was four years old, as she had worked with his mother, Wanda Ventham. Stubbs was the subject of an episode of the BBC series Who Do You Think You Are?, broadcast on 24 July 2013. It discussed several of her ancestors, including her great-grandfather Sir Ebenezer Howard, who was the founder of the garden city movement and was the driving force in the design and creation of the first garden cities, Letchworth Garden City and Welwyn Garden City, situated in Hertfordshire.
After several months of ill health, Stubbs died at her home in Edinburgh. May her soul Rest In Peace.
