Acting attracts shy people and show-offs.

Between 1991 and 2001 Penelope Wilton was married to Sir Ian Holm (in 1998 after he was knighted Penelope Wilton became Lady Holm) and they appeared together as Pod and Homily in the BBC's 1993 adaptation of The Borrowers. She starred opposite Richard Briers in the BBC situation comedy Ever Decreasing Circles. Her maternal grandparents owned theatres.

She has also appeared in Doctor Who and the period drama Downton Abbey. She is best known to American audiences for her portrayal of South African anti-apartheid activist Wendy Woods in the 1987 film Cry Freedom.