Anne Kristen
Anne Kristen (7 March 1937 – 7 August 1996) was a Scottish actress. To friends and family, Anne was also known as Anna or/and Annie. Kristen was married to the actor Iain Cuthbertson from January 1964, until their divorce in 1988.
Possibly her highest-profile role was Olive Rowe in Coronation Street. Her longest-lasting role was as Miss Meikeljohn in Hamish Macbeth. She also appeared in Wings as Molly Farmer, and Casualty' as receptionist Norma Sullivan.
Early life
Anne grew up in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden. Her father, Reginald Byles, was a senior journalist and leader writer with the Glasgow Herald. She acted in plays at Laurel Bank school in Glasgow. After leaving school, she went to the Royal College of Music and Dramatic Art in Glasgow, where she won a Silver Medal for her work. Anne then did much stage work in Scotland and London before embarking on her television career.
TV Acts
1960s
Anne started in 'BBC Sunday-Night Play' for 1 episode as Nellie Watson (TV Series – 1960). Anne was also in 'Doctor Finlay's Casebook' for 2 episodes (1963–1966) as Doctor Fay Beresford in 1966 and Felicity McDougall. She was in 'The Dark Number' (mini TV series 1966) as Dorothy Havergale. She appeared in one episode of 'Adam Adamant Lives!' (1966). Anne was in 'Softly Softly' (1 episode – 1968) as Renee. For three episodes, Anne was in 'The Expert (1969). 'The Trouble Shooters' (1 episode – 1969) as Audrey Randall. 'Hadleigh (1 episode – 1969) as Mrs Cooper, 'Detective' (1 episode – 1969) as Elsie. 'Parkin's Patch ( 1 episode – 1969) as Jean Hopkins, was the last act she was in, in the 1960s.
1970s
At the beginning of the 70s, Anne's first role was 'The Wednesday Play' (1 episode – 1970) as Mrs Garson. ' Sunset Song' (mini TV series, 1 episode – 1970) "Grady" as Dorothy Manton. 'The view from Daniel Pike (1 episode – 1971) as Mary Brady. One of Anne's most famous acts was Coronation Street (1971). Which was a number one hit! 'Family at War (4 episodes – 1971–1972) as Marjorie. Anne was also in Z-Cars (1 episode – 1973) as Janet. For two episodes, Anne was in 'Adam Smith' (1973) in which she played Joyce McFeeking. 'The New Road' (2 episodes – 1973) where she played Annabel Macmaster. 'Menace' (2 episodes – 1970 – 1973) as Bernadette Doyle. Anne was in 'Village Hall' (1 episode – 1974) as Mrs Cox. 'Late Night Drama' was another act she was in (1 episode – 1974) as Jane Mackay. 'The Haggard Falcon' (1 episode – 1974) when she played Kristie. In the mid-1970s, Anne was in 'BBC Play of the Month'( 1 episode – 1975) as Jean. Anne was also in the TV series 'Wings' (1976) as Molly Farmer. 'Crown Court' (3 episodes – 1973 – 1977) as Janet Murie. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1 episode – 1978), she played Beryl Craigie. Anne then went back to the set of 'Wings' where she played Molly Farmer for 15 episodes (1977–1978). Strangers (1 episode – 1979) in which she played Dr Slater. 'Scottish Playbill' (1 episode – 1979) was the last thing she was in for the 1970s.
1980s
'God's Wonderful Railway' was the first act she was in for the 80s (1 episode – 1980) as Martha. "Square Mile of Murder" (1 episode, 1980). 'Mackenzie' ( 2 episodes – 1980) as Mrs Armstrong. Anne was in Play for Today ( 2 episodes – 1976 – 1981) as Ella Burns. 'The Spoils of War' ( 1 episodes – 1981) as Sally McAllis. Anne was in Grange Hill (2 episodes – 1983) as Miss Clark. 'King's Royal' (14 episodes 1982–1983) as Mrs Veitch. 'Goodbye Mr. Chips' (mini TV series – 1984) as Mrs Wickett. Anne was in 'Minder' (1 episode 1985) as Margaret Stuart. 'Playing For Real' (mini TV series – 1988) as Agnes Buchan. The last act Anne was in, in the 80s, was 'The Play on One' (1 episode 1989) as Shelia.
1990s
Silent Scream was the first film Anne was in, and the first act in the 1990s. Anne was in Casualty (TV series) (8 episodes – 1991 -1993) as Norma Sullivan. This was one of Anne's most popular roles and Anne would get much fan mail. Anne was also on 'The Tales of Para Handy' (1 episode – 1994). Another one of Anne's most popular roles was in Taggart, "Secrets" as Professor Maggie McLeish, (2 episodes – 1986 – 1994). Anne was in 'Doctor Finlay' (1 episode – 1994) as Rachel Grant. Anne was in 'Space Precinct' (2 episodes, Deathwatch Parts 1 & 2, 1995) as Bertha Fluss. In 1996, Anne was in 'Truth Or Dare' as Mrs Hugill. The last act Anne was in before her death, was 'Hamish Macbeth' (17 episodes – 1995 – 1996) as Miss Meikeljohn.
Death
Anne died of pancreatic cancer on 7 August 1996. Her ashes are buried in Ancrum Churchyard, beside her mother and father, in Roxburghshire.