Nicola Pagett Cause Of Death: ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ Star Dies From Brain Tumor Complications

Nicola Pagett, the actress best known for her work on “Upstairs, Downstairs,” has passed away. She was 75.

The Guardian first reported that Pagett died on Wednesday due to complications from a brain tumor. No other information related to her death and burial was disclosed by her family and friends.

Her death comes almost 24 years after she disclosed in a 1997 book that she battled a mental illness for a long period. Entitled “Diamonds Behind My Eyes,” the book also covered her partial recovery from manic depression.

The actress had an illustrious career that spanned 30 years. In her obituary, Pagett was described as a “glacial, beautiful presence” in the projects she worked on, be it on stage or the screen.

Pagett’s most notable character was Elizabeth Bellamy, the rebellious daughter on the 1970s miniseries “Upstairs, Downstairs.” On the show, her character made the mistake of marrying a poet who had no interest in making physical contact as a sign of love. She then had an affair with her husband’s publisher that led to her pregnancy.

After “Upstairs, Downstairs,” Pagett gave life to the character of Elizabeth Fanschawe for the telefilm “Frankenstein: The True Story,” which was released in 1973. More projects then came in as she also did the 10-episode 1977 show entitled “Anna Karenina,” the 1984 miniseries “A Woman of Substance,” “A Bit of a Do,” and “Ain’t Misbehavin.”

Pagett’s big screen career also took off, and she made a name for herself in the industry by starring in “Anne of a Thousand Days” (1969), “There’s a Girl in My Soup” (1970), “Operation: Daybreak” (1975), and “Privates on Parade” (1983), among others, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Pagett also did stage plays throughout her career. In fact, she was a West End regular. She appeared in Harold Pinter’s “Old Times” and “The Trojan War Will Not Take Place.”

The actress’ last movie appearance was in Mike Newell’s “An Awfully Big Adventure,” which was released in 1995. In the same year, she also did her final stage appearance in the revival of Joe Orton’s “What the Butler Saw.”

Pagett is survived by her daughter Eve and sister Angela.