Joanna Lumley is receiving the British Academy’s greatest honor. Variety reports that the “Absolutely Fabulous” star will be honored with the BAFTA Fellowship at the British Academy Television Awards on May 14. The special award is granted “to an individual in recognition of their outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television, or games.”
“Nothing could make me prouder or happier than being awarded this phenomenal honor,” Lumley said in a statement. “To be counted amongst the greatest talents and stars of our industry is an awesome gift.”
Previous BAFTA fellows include Lumley’s “Ab Fab” co-star Jennifer Saunders, Maggie Smith (“Downton Abbey”), and Julie Walters (“National Treasure”).
Lumley is best known as “Ab Fab’s” Patsy Stone. Created by Saunders and Dawn French, the comedy centered on best friends Patsy and Edina Monsoon (Saunders) and their many misadventures. The series’ six seasons aired sporadically from 1992 to 2012. The 2016 film “Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie” saw the duo fleeing to the south of France after accidentally pushing Kate Moss into the Thames. Directed by Mandie Fletcher and written by Saunders, the “Ab Fab” film was a big hit in the UK.
Lumley’s acting career spans six decades. She took home a BAFTA for her performance in “Absolutely Fabulous” in both 1993 and 1995. She and the cast of 1961’s “The Avengers” received a special BAFTA award in 2000. Among Lumley’s recent credits are Thea Sharrock’s “Me Before You” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.”
The British Academy Television Awards will take place May 14 at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
