The UK arts world mourns the loss of Jill Freud, the celebrated actor and theatre producer who passed away at 98, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that includes being the real-life inspiration for Lucy Pevensie in CS Lewis's beloved Chronicles of Narnia series.
From Evacuee to Narnia's Muse
Born June Flewett in Barnes, south-west London, Jill's life took a remarkable turn during the Second World War when she was evacuated to Oxford at age 15. She was billeted with an academic known as Jack, unaware he was actually her favourite author, CS Lewis. Jill spent three formative years as a beloved member of his household, later discovering Lewis had acknowledged her as the direct inspiration for Lucy Pevensie, the curious, courageous and kind-hearted heroine of his classic children's books.
Lewis's influence extended beyond literary inspiration - he generously funded her studies at Rada drama school in London, where she graduated in 1947 and became a contemporary of the young Roger Moore.
A Flourishing Creative Career
Launching her career under the stage name Jill Raymond, she immediately secured a leading role in the 1947 film The Woman in the Hall alongside Jean Simmons. Her diverse career spanned radio, television - including work on Torchy the Battery Boy for the BBC Light Service - and stage, with a particular highlight being The Dame of Sark with Celia Johnson at Wyndham theatre in 1974.
While actively supporting her husband, Liberal MP Clement Freud, and raising their five children, Jill's most significant creative achievements came later in life. In 1980, at 60, she founded Jill Freud & Company, establishing summer repertory seasons in Southwold and Aldeburgh that would become a cherished Suffolk institution for three decades.
Enduring Legacy in Theatre and Film
Her company produced hundreds of plays, toured internationally and became renowned for its high-quality productions. Actors returned year after year, drawn by Jill's fairness, wit and unwavering belief in company members' rights and the importance of regional theatre.
Even in her nineties, Jill remained creatively active, recording her final radio play at 95. Film audiences will recognise her from her cameo as the Downing Street housekeeper in the 2003 Christmas classic Love Actually.
Her contributions to theatre were formally recognised in 2001 when she received an honorary doctorate from the University of East Anglia. Jill is survived by her five children, 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, with her theatrical legacy continuing each summer in the playhouses she brought to life.
