Isla Blair was born in Bangalore, British India, to Scottish expat tea planter Ian Baxter Blair-Hill and his wife Violet Barbara (née Skeoch),a union that marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for the talented actress.
After completing her education at RADA, Blair made her stage debut at London's Strand Theatre as Philia in a 1963 production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, a performance that laid the foundation for her illustrious career in the world of theatre.
In 1971, she joined the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon for a year, honing her craft alongside some of the greatest thespians of her time. Her subsequent tour of the Middle East as Viola in Twelfth Night with the Prospect Theatre Company further solidified her reputation as a versatile and accomplished actress.
Blair's transition to the screen began in 1964 with a bit part in the Beatles' musical A Hard Day's Night, a film that showcased her ability to adapt to a wide range of roles and genres. Her subsequent appearances in films such as Battle of Britain, Taste the Blood of Dracula, Alien Attack, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Johnny English Reborn have cemented her status as a highly respected and sought-after actress.
In addition to her impressive filmography, Blair has also made a significant impact on television, starring in a number of critically acclaimed series and productions, including The Liars, The Dickie Henderson Show, When the Boat Comes In, The History Man, The Bounder, The Advocates, and many others. Her versatility has allowed her to effortlessly transition between genres, from comedy to drama to science fiction, and her talent has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations throughout her career.
On the small screen, Blair has guest-starred in episodes of The Avengers, Department S, Fall of Eagles, Blake's 7, Taggart, A Touch of Frost, Dalziel and Pascoe, and Midsomer Murders, among others, further demonstrating her ability to adapt to a wide range of roles and characters.
In addition to her work in film and television, Blair is also a prolific voice actress, having narrated numerous audio books and provided voices for audio adaptations of Doctor Who spin-off novels. Her impressive range and versatility have made her a sought-after talent in the entertainment industry, and her contributions to the world of theatre, film, and television have been widely recognized and celebrated.
In her personal life, Blair has been married to the actor Julian Glover since 1968, and the couple has a son, Jamie Glover, who is also an accomplished actor. As a family, they have appeared together on stage in Hamlet, with Jamie in the title role, Julian as King Claudius of Denmark, and Isla as his wife Gertrude, a testament to the strong bonds of family and the power of shared passion and creativity.
