Jeillo Edwards

Jeillo Edwards (23 September 1942 – 2 July 2004) was a Sierra Leonean actress, who is notable in the history of black actors in Britain. She was the first woman of African descent to study drama at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She went on to be one of the first black actresses to be cast in a mainstream UK television drama series – Dixon of Dock Green, and for more than four decades performed on British television, radio, stage and films.

Quotes

"Mr Flibble whispered his first question into Andrew's waiting ear: What's the best time you've ever had ACTING" (2001)

"Mr Flibble whispered his first question into Andrew's waiting ear: What's the best time you've ever had ACTING", retrieved on 20 April, 2001

• I think I love theatre better. The worst thing about theatre is that most times you have to go on tours, and I couldn't [go], not with a family growing up. If there was anything being done just in London, I would do it. I like doing theatre, or shows, like sit-coms, in front of an audience. That's not bad.
• Oh, thinking back…A friend of mine was laughing at me the other day. He said, 'Any time they ask you what you've done, you say, …not much…!' Because I can't remember! (Laughs) It's been such a long time and I keep doing different things. The most recent ones, within the last two years, that I've really enjoyed were The League of Gentlemen and Sam's Game with Davina McCall. I did Spaced as well - I liked that one - with Simon [Pegg].
• You know you're working, so you just do it. It doesn't affect me. I don't think about, 'Ooh, there's blood'. I just get into my character, and I do the lines, and that's it. It's just the situation I'm in.
• It's a pity I didn't take a picture, because I never, ever wear trousers! (Laughs) It's because of my size, you see. I can never buy the right length, so I never bother with trousers. I thought I should have taken a picture in that - the trousers and that hat. I like hats, I do wear hats.
• Well, yes. I just get the storyline. I tune myself to listen to the other actor, and as long as I hear the cue word, I pick it up. Once I know the storyline…In fact, sometimes I find myself saying other actor's lines1 Because once you know the storyline, you just tune yourself to that.