Julia Sawalha, beloved for her role as Saffron ‘Saffy’ Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous, is making a guest appearance in the 13th series of Father Brown as Mrs. Cynthia Wendle. The 57-year-old actress boasts a varied career, including notable performances such as Lydia Bennet in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation, Ginger in Chicken Run (2000), and roles in Lark Rise to Candleford, Remember Me, and Vera.
Beyond her professional achievements, Julia’s relationship with her older sister Nadia has long been marked by volatility and emotional complexity. Nadia, a regular panellist on Loose Women and known for her role as Annie Palmer on EastEnders from 1997 to 1999, shares a turbulent past with Julia, with periods of estrangement and reconciliation.
Raised in South London with their older sister Dina, Nadia and Julia’s bond was shaped early on by family dynamics. Nadia, four years Julia’s senior, recounted on Loose Women how their mother’s postnatal struggles led to Nadia being sent away to her grandmother’s when Julia was born—an event Nadia believes seeded the couple’s “stormy” relationship.
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In a 2007 interview with The Times, Julia described their connection as “very intense," reflecting on moments of closeness contrasted with times when Nadia kept her at arm’s length, leaving Julia feeling confused. She also expressed frustration over Nadia’s controlling tendencies. Nadia echoed their childhood separation as the root of their difficulties, admitting feelings of insecurity fueled by Julia’s growing fame.
Their fraught relationship came into the spotlight again in 2019 when Nadia tearfully discussed their on-off bond on Loose Women, acknowledging its highs and lows. Julia responded publicly via Twitter (now X), expressing exhaustion over Nadia airing their personal issues on television and accusing her of fabricating stories for sympathy.
Despite these tensions, Julia continued to pursue her career, appearing on The Masked Singer UK in 2024 as Bubble Tea—a moment Nadia noticeably did not comment on.
As Julia joins the cast of Father Brown, viewers can catch the new series every Friday at 2 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, while the sisterly saga remains a poignant undertone to Julia’s evolving public life.