Who is Polly Walker, who plays Portia Featherington in Bridgerton? She starred in Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow and her bro-in-law is Rupert Penry-Jones – but will she ever appear on Celebrity Bake Off?
Not only is her character a fan favourite, with her witty quips and fiery determination, but Walker herself is gaining new fans for her endearing personality in real life. Following Bridgerton, Walker is set to star in Mark Gatiss’ 2025 crime drama Bookish, where she’ll play Trottie Book.
Here’s what else we know about Walker, who plays the no-nonsense – and at times conniving – matriarch of the Featherington family in Bridgerton.
What is Polly Walker’s career background?
Walker was on her way to becoming a professional ballet dancer, but a leg injury at the age of 18 prevented her from continuing down that path, per The Telegraph. After Walker had to give up ballet, she decided to go into acting. She attended the Drama Centre London, then worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company before starting to make her presence known on television and film.
What else has Polly Walker starred in?
Walker has appeared in a wide range of films and TV shows in the UK, and was already an established actress in her own right even before the success of Bridgerton. Her past roles include Mary Archer in Jeffrey Archer: The Truth and Atia of the Julii in Rome, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. You may also recognise the talented and versatile actress from works like Lorna Doone, Enchanted April and Patriot Games.
Most notably, Walker starred in an adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. This was none other than Emma, produced in 1996 by Douglas McGrath, where the titular character was played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Walker, meanwhile, played Jane Fairfax. This neat little fact has caught the attention of Bridgerton fans because, in season three of Bridgerton, Eloise mentions that she is reading Emma.
Who is Polly Walker married to … and does she have children?
Unfortunately for anyone crushing on Lady Featherington, Polly Walker is married – and a mother, too. She married Laurence Penry-Jones in 2008. He is a former actor known for works like Waking the Dead, The Forsyte Saga and Doctors. Walker has two children from her previous relationships: Giorgio Walker and Delilah Walker.
Walker previously mentioned in an interview with The Telegraph that, when she was starting out in her acting career, it was rather unwelcoming towards single mothers, and she even contemplated quitting. Thankfully, she pulled through with the help of her family members.
She has a famous brother-in-law
Walker’s husband, Laurence Penry-Jones, is the brother of Rupert Penry-Jones, known very well for his period pieces like Jane Eyre, The Four Feathers and A Little Chaos. Like his sister-in-law, he has also appeared in an Austen adaptation. He played the heartthrob Captain Frederick Wentworth in Persuasion, which saw him shoot to fame. Laurence and Rupert are the children of Peter Penry-Jones and Angela Thorne, who were also actors.
She loves to bake
Walker has a passion for baking – and she appears to take it very seriously, going as far as making her own croissants. She’s been urged to go on Celebrity Bake Off, but feels that she would take it too seriously, per The Telegraph.
- A trained ballet dancer, Polly Walker plays Lady Portia Featherington, mother to Penelope (Nicola Coughlan); the third series of Bridgerton focuses on Penelope and Colin Bridgerton’s romance
- Her brother-in-law is Rupert Penry-Jones, who’s appeared in period pieces such as Jane Eyre – and a 2007 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, playing Captain Frederick Wentworth