Damaris Hayman | 1929 – 2021

It has been reported that actress Damaris Hayman, best known to DW fans as Olive Hawthorne in ‘The Daemons’ has died at the impressive age of 91.

Aside from Doctor Who Damaris was often to be seen on TV and in films appearing in such shows as One Foot in the Grave and in the third Pink Panther film, The Pink Panther Strikes Again.

She also reprised the role of Olive Hawthorne for Reeltime Pictures.

RIP that gloriously eccentric character player Damaris Hayman, not far off her 92nd birthday – she helped Doctor Who battle The Daemons, walked the halls of St Trinian's, saw the Pink Panther Strike Again and was the essence of genteel English wit opposite many great comics. pic.twitter.com/83sLbMoq51

— Toby Hadoke (@TobyHadoke) June 3, 2021

So sad to hear about news of the passing of Damaris Hayman. A spirited lady and a Doctor Who legend, who shall be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/EI6VCfemrV

— Fantom Tweets (@fantomfilms) June 3, 2021

Dame #MargaretRutherford is pictured here with legendary Actress the one and only #DamarisHayman who was like a daughter.
Our hearts are truly broken. She was one of a kind.
May she rest in peace. 🌹❤️♥️ pic.twitter.com/bKYutuQ5jg

— Margaret Rutherford (@DameRutherford) June 3, 2021

We're very sorry to hear that Cheltenham actress #DamarisHayman has died a few days short of her 92nd birthday. She trod the boards here as a youngster before appearing on stages all over the UK and frequently on TV. pic.twitter.com/T8zN9Cup4M

— Cheltenham Playhouse (@CheltPlayhouse) June 3, 2021

Hayman was born in Kensington, London, England and educated at Cheltenham Ladies’ College. After repertory work in the theatre, she made her film début in The Belles of St Trinian’s (1954) in an uncredited role as a sixth former.

Apart from scores of small parts, Hayman appeared in the Doctor Who serial The Dæmons (1971) as Miss Hawthorne, the self-proclaimed White Witch of the village Devil’s End. Doctor Who, the Television Companion described her character as, “very memorable,” and praised Hayman as being “perfectly cast in the role, her engaging performance adding much to the story” Hayman has also appeared in such comedies as Steptoe and Son, Love Thy Neighbour, The Young Ones, One Foot In The Grave and Sez Les. She worked with Ronnie Barker, appearing in one episode of his final series, Clarence (1988).  She appeared in The Liver Birds (1971) and in the 1986 Duty Free Christmas special.

After appearing in a sketch in Tony Hancock’s last British TV series in 1967, she became a close friend of the comedian in the remaining year of his life.  She appeared in the six-part straight-to-DVD drama White Witch of Devil’s End (2017) which began production in 2012.

Damaris Hayman passed away on June 3, 2021, at 91, but her cause of death is not revealed yet.

Selected filmography

The Belles of St. Trinian’s (1954) – Visiting Parent (uncredited)
Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog (1961) – Black-haired woman (uncredited)
Only Two Can Play (1962) – Lady Committee Member (uncredited)
West 11 (1963) – Guide with School Party (uncredited)
Bitter Harvest (1963) – Neighbour in Flat (uncredited)
Smokescreen (1964) – Mrs Roper’s Nurse (uncredited)
Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965) – Daphne
Steptoe and Son: “My Old Man’s a Tory” (TV 1965) – Karen Frobisher
Doctor Who: The Dæmons (TV 1971) – Miss Hawthorne
The Magnificent Six and 1/2: The Ski Wheelers (1971)
Mutiny on the Buses (1972) – Mrs Jenkins
Anoop and the Elephant (1972) – Miss Flint
Love Thy Neighbour (1973) – Woman on Bus
Paganini Strikes Again (1973) – Miss Lanyard
Man About the House (TV 1974) – Old Lady (uncredited)
Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976) – Tweedy Golfing Lady
The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) – Fiona
Full Circle (1977) – Miss Pinner
The Missionary (1982) – Lady Quimby
One Foot in the Grave (TV 1992, 1995) – Receptionist/Elderly Lady
If You See God, Tell Him (TV 1993) – Singer