Julie Walters

Dame Julie Walters DBE is one of the most beloved and acclaimed actresses in British cinema, known for her extraordinary range — from broad comedy to devastating drama — and a warmth that has made her a national treasure. Born in Smethwick, near Birmingham, she trained as a nurse before studying drama at Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre. Walters rose to fame in 1983 with Educating Rita, playing opposite Michael Caine in a performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA. She has since appeared in some of the most successful and acclaimed British films of the past four decades, including Billy Elliot, Calendar Girls, Mamma Mia!, the Harry Potter series (as Molly Weasley), Brooklyn, Mary Poppins Returns, and The Secret Garden. Her television work is equally distinguished, including the BAFTA-winning Pat and Margaret, Victoria Wood's comedy series, Dinnerladies, and Indian Summers. On stage, Walters has performed in the West End and at the National Theatre, and her long creative partnership with Victoria Wood produced some of the most beloved comedy in British television history. As an audiobook narrator, Walters brings the same qualities that have made her one of Britain's most treasured performers — warmth, humour, emotional depth, and a voice that feels like a conversation with someone you already love. Her natural Midlands accent and her ability to move between laughter and tears make her narrations feel authentic and deeply engaging. Dame Julie was appointed DBE in 2017 for services to drama. For listeners who appreciate narration that is warm, real, and emotionally generous, Dame Julie Walters is simply wonderful.