Hetty Baynes

Henrietta Sara Louise Baynes, known professionally as Hetty Baynes, is a versatile English actress whose career spans over five decades, beginning with a prodigious start in ballet at the Royal Ballet School and culminating in acclaimed performances on stage, screen, and radio. Born on 16 August 1956 in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, she debuted at age twelve in Rudolf Nureyev's The Nutcracker and soon after appeared in The Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House, showcasing a rare blend of technical precision and artistic expression. By her mid‑teens, Baynes transitioned from dance to acting, securing her first repertory theatre role at seventeen and quickly establishing a reputation for depth and adaptability across a wide range of characters. Her stage credits include notable productions such as John Osborne's Inadmissible Evidence (1979) at the Royal Court, the comic See How They Run (1984) alongside Maureen Lipman and Lionel Jeffries, and a memorable turn as Lady Fidget in William Wycherley's The Country Wife (1997), demonstrating her capacity to navigate both classical and contemporary material. Baynes has earned three Best Actress nominations, highlighting her powerful portrayal of Rita in Henrik Ibsen's Little Eyolf (1991) and her compelling performance as Marilyn Monroe in Anyone Can See I Love You. On television, she has appeared in iconic series such as Z‑Cars (1976), The Seven Dials Mystery (1981), and more recent roles like Vera Rowley in The Hour (2011) and a part in The Casual Vacancy (2015). Beyond acting, she pursued academic interests, completing a BA in Philosophy and an MA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck, University of London, and explored visual arts with a fine‑art degree from Central St Martins, culminating in an exhibition at London's Strand Gallery. Her personal life includes a marriage to film director Ken Russell (1992‑1999) and the birth of their son, director Rex Russell, in 1993, underscoring a legacy that intertwines artistic achievement with familial creativity.