Glynis Barber is a South African-born British actress best known for her roles as Detective Sergeant Harriet Makepeace in Dempsey and Makepeace and Soolin in the science-fiction series Blake’s 7. She has also appeared in popular British television programmes including EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
Born Glynis van der Riet in Durban, South Africa, Barber moved to London as a young woman to pursue acting. She trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and began working professionally in theatre, film and television in the late 1970s.
Barber has enjoyed a career lasting more than four decades. Her acting work has been accompanied in recent years by her interest in health, beauty and ageing, which she shares through her Ageless by Glynis Barber website and related video content. In 2026, she has continued publishing articles about skincare, health, stress management, beauty and healthy ageing.
Glynis Barber Profile Summary
| Fact | Details |
| Full name | Glynis van der Riet |
| Professional name | Glynis Barber |
| Date of birth | October 25, 1955 |
| Age | 70 years old |
| Birthplace | Durban, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African-British |
| Profession | Actress, writer and wellness personality |
| Education | Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts |
| First husband | Paul Antony-Barber |
| Current husband | Michael Brandon |
| Children | One son, Alexander |
| Best known for | Dempsey and Makepeace, Blake’s 7, EastEnders, Emmerdale |
| Years active | 1978-present |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) |
| Wellness platform | Ageless by Glynis Barber |
Glynis Barber Early Life
Glynis Barber was born Glynis van der Riet on October 25, 1955, in Durban, South Africa. She was the daughter of Heather Maureen Robb and Frederick Werndly Barry van der Riet. Her parents divorced when she was young, after which she moved with her mother to Johannesburg.
Barber developed an interest in acting while growing up in South Africa. Her ambitions eventually led her to leave the country and move to London when she was about 18 years old. She wanted to train professionally and build a career as an actress.
Her move to Britain marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. She enrolled at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London and began developing the stage and screen skills that would eventually lead to her first major television roles.
Glynis Barber Education
Glynis Barber studied acting at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. The institution provided professional training for actors and helped prepare her for a career in theatre, television and film.
While studying at drama school, Barber met fellow actor Paul Antony-Barber. The two eventually married in the late 1970s, although their marriage ended in divorce after a few years.
Her formal acting education was followed by extensive theatre work. Barber built experience on stage before gradually becoming more prominent on British television, where she would eventually secure the roles that made her famous.
Glynis Barber Career
Early Acting Career
Glynis Barber began her professional acting career in the late 1970s. One of her early screen appearances was in the 1978 film Terror, also known as Killing House. She subsequently appeared in a number of British television and film productions.
Her early credits included Blake’s 7, The New Adventures of Lucky Jim, Jane and The Hound of the Baskervilles. She also worked in theatre and appeared with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
These early roles allowed Barber to establish herself as a versatile actress capable of working across television, film and stage productions.
Glynis Barber in Blake’s 7
Barber gained wider recognition when she joined the BBC science-fiction series Blake’s 7. She played Soolin, a skilled and independent fighter who became a member of the Liberator crew.
Her time on Blake’s 7 established her as a recognizable television actress and gave her an important role in one of Britain’s best-known science-fiction series of the period.
The programme developed a devoted following and remains a significant part of British science-fiction television history. Barber’s portrayal of Soolin remains one of her most remembered early performances.
Glynis Barber in Dempsey and Makepeace
Barber’s biggest breakthrough came in 1985 when she was cast as Detective Sergeant Harriet “Harry” Makepeace in Dempsey and Makepeace. The ITV crime drama starred American actor Michael Brandon as New York police lieutenant James Dempsey, with Barber playing his British counterpart.
The series ran for three seasons and became a popular international television programme. Barber’s character was an intelligent and capable police officer who worked alongside Dempsey despite their very different personalities.
The show also became significant in Barber’s personal life because she and Michael Brandon developed a relationship while working together. They married in 1989 and have remained together for decades.
Later Television Career
After Dempsey and Makepeace, Barber continued to work regularly in British television. Her credits include appearances in The Bill, Night and Day, Trial & Retribution, Emmerdale and EastEnders.
She joined Emmerdale in the 2000s as DCI Grace Barraclough. Later, she became part of the cast of EastEnders, playing Glenda Mitchell, the mother of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell.
Barber also appeared in Hollyoaks, where she played Norma Crow. Her television career has therefore covered several major British genres, including crime drama, science fiction, soap opera and comedy.
Film and Theatre Work
In addition to television, Barber has maintained a career in film and theatre. Her film credits include The Wicked Lady, Edge of Sanity, Déjà Vu, Hammer of the Gods and the 2015 action film Point Break.
She has also continued to appear on stage. Theatre has remained an important part of her professional life, including productions in which she has performed alongside her husband, Michael Brandon.
Her long career has allowed her to work with actors and directors across several generations while maintaining a presence in British entertainment.
Glynis Barber Trending: Why Is Glynis Barber Famous?
Glynis Barber has recently attracted renewed attention through a combination of public appearances, retrospective interest in her television career and her work on health and wellness. Her classic roles in Dempsey and Makepeace and Blake’s 7 continue to generate interest among television audiences, while her more recent wellness work has introduced her to a different audience.
In 2026, Barber has continued publishing material through Ageless by Glynis Barber. Recent articles have covered subjects including healthy ageing, skincare, stress, burnout, sleep, water retention, beauty treatments and lifestyle habits. She has also written about how her hair and makeup have changed over five decades in the public eye.
Her current online work reflects an interest in ageing in a way that goes beyond appearance. Barber describes health as central to what she considers “beautiful ageing” and uses her platform to discuss lifestyle, skincare, nutrition, exercise and wellbeing.
Glynis Barber Personal Life
Glynis Barber was first married to actor Paul Antony-Barber, whom she met while studying at drama school. They married in the 1970s but later divorced. During her early television career, she was also linked romantically with Blake’s 7 co-star Steven Pacey.
Barber met American actor Michael Brandon while they were starring together in Dempsey and Makepeace. Their professional relationship developed into a romantic relationship, and they married on November 18, 1989. The couple later had a son, Alexander, who was born in 1992.
Barber and Brandon have continued to work in the entertainment industry and have occasionally appeared together professionally. Their long-running marriage has become one of the notable personal aspects of Barber’s public life, particularly because they first met as co-stars on one of her most famous television programmes.
Glynis Barber Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Glynis Barber is 70 years old as of September 2026. She was born on October 25, 1955, in Durban, South Africa. She has South African and British nationality and has lived and worked in Britain for most of her adult life.
Her religious beliefs are not extensively documented in reliable public sources, so her current religion should not be assumed.
Barber is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 metres) tall. She has blonde hair and blue eyes and has remained recognizable for her distinctive appearance throughout her decades-long acting career.
Glynis Barber Net Worth
Glynis Barber’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Although various celebrity websites publish estimates, there is no reliable public financial disclosure that establishes her personal wealth.
Her income has been built through a long acting career spanning television, film and theatre. Her most commercially recognizable work includes Dempsey and Makepeace, Blake’s 7, EastEnders, Emmerdale and other British productions.
Barber has also developed additional work around writing, wellness and lifestyle content through Ageless by Glynis Barber. However, without verified financial records, a precise figure for her current net worth would be speculative.
Glynis Barber Legacy
Glynis Barber’s acting career is closely associated with some of the most recognizable British television productions of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Her roles as Soolin in Blake’s 7 and Harriet Makepeace in Dempsey and Makepeace established her as a familiar face to television audiences.
Her later work in programmes such as EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks demonstrated her ability to remain active across different generations of British television. She has repeatedly moved between long-running series, guest roles, film and theatre.
Beyond acting, Barber has developed a second public identity around health and ageing. Through Ageless by Glynis Barber, she has continued sharing her experiences and interests in beauty, health and lifestyle, giving audiences another way to follow her work after more than four decades in entertainment.
Conclusion
Glynis Barber is a South African-born British actress whose career has lasted more than four decades and includes some of the most recognizable roles in British television. She became widely known as Soolin in Blake’s 7 before achieving her biggest breakthrough as Harriet Makepeace in Dempsey and Makepeace, where she also met her future husband Michael Brandon. She later appeared in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and numerous other productions, while in recent years she has expanded her public work into health, beauty and healthy ageing through Ageless by Glynis Barber.
Frequently Asked Questions About Glynis Barber
Who is Glynis Barber?
Glynis Barber is a South African-born British actress best known for Dempsey and Makepeace, Blake’s 7, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
How old is Glynis Barber?
Glynis Barber is 70 years old. She was born on October 25, 1955.
Where was Glynis Barber born?
Glynis Barber was born in Durban, South Africa.
What is Glynis Barber’s real name?
Her birth name is Glynis van der Riet.
What nationality is Glynis Barber?
Glynis Barber is South African-British. She was born in South Africa and built most of her professional career in Britain.
What is Glynis Barber famous for?
She is best known for playing Soolin in Blake’s 7 and Detective Sergeant Harriet Makepeace in Dempsey and Makepeace.
Who is Glynis Barber’s husband?
Glynis Barber’s husband is Michael Brandon, the American actor with whom she co-starred in Dempsey and Makepeace.
When did Glynis Barber and Michael Brandon get married?
Glynis Barber and Michael Brandon married on November 18, 1989.
Does Glynis Barber have children?
Yes. Glynis Barber and Michael Brandon have one son, Alexander, who was born in 1992.
Who did Glynis Barber play in Dempsey and Makepeace?
She played Detective Sergeant Harriet “Harry” Makepeace, a British police officer who worked alongside Michael Brandon’s character, James Dempsey.
Who did Glynis Barber play in Blake’s 7?
She played Soolin, a skilled fighter who joined the crew of the Liberator.
Was Glynis Barber in EastEnders?
Yes. She played Glenda Mitchell in EastEnders.
Was Glynis Barber in Emmerdale?
Yes. She played DCI Grace Barraclough in Emmerdale.
What is Ageless by Glynis Barber?
Ageless by Glynis Barber is Barber’s health, beauty and lifestyle platform. She uses it to discuss healthy ageing, skincare, wellness, stress, beauty treatments and lifestyle habits.
What is Glynis Barber’s height?
Glynis Barber is approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 metres) tall.
What is Glynis Barber’s religion?
Her current religious affiliation is not clearly documented in reliable public sources.
What is Glynis Barber’s net worth?
Glynis Barber’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Online estimates vary and should be treated as speculative rather than confirmed.