Jennie Linden was born in Worthing, West Sussex, to architect Marcus Fletcher and his wife Freida, a homemaker. From an early age, she developed a passion for acting, which would eventually lead her to pursue a career in the performing arts.
At the tender age of seventeen, Linden won a scholarship to attend London's prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama, where she honed her craft and gained valuable experience. Upon completing her training, she made her theatrical debut in 1963 with a role in the play "Never Too Late" at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London.
Linden's early career was marked by a series of notable guest appearances on popular television shows, including "The Avengers," "Sherlock Holmes," and "The Saint." Her first feature film was the 1964 Hammer horror film "Nightmare," in which she played the role of a victim/heroine driven to the brink of insanity by her scheming guardian and his mistress.
In 1965, Linden appeared in the science fiction film "Dr. Who and the Daleks," playing the role of the granddaughter of the Doctor, played by Peter Cushing. Her performance in this film was followed by a notable role as the sexy schoolteacher Ursula in Ken Russell's controversial drama "Women in Love" in 1969. Her portrayal of Ursula earned her a BAFTA nomination for Most Promising Newcomer.
As Linden's career reached its peak, she began to experience a decline in her popularity, which was likely due to her unsuccessful auditions for several high-profile roles, including Eleanor of Aquitaine in "The Lion in Winter" and Marian Maudsley in "The Go-Between." She also turned down the opportunity to work in Hollywood, opting instead for a quieter family life in Hertfordshire with her husband Christopher Mann and their son Rupert.
Between 1973 and 1974, Linden embarked on a worldwide tour with the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing the role of Thea Elvsted in Trevor Nunn's production of "Hedda Gabler." Her co-stars included Glenda Jackson, Patrick Stewart, and Timothy West.
Linden continued to make occasional television appearances until the early 1990s, before ultimately retiring from the profession. She was later reported to have reinvented herself as a reflexologist.
