Gillian Elisa

Born in Carmarthen and raised in Lampeter, Cardiganshire. Gillian trained at The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff.

Television credits include:Iona Harries in Craith/Hidden , Mamgu in Bang, Nanna Pat in Stella, Sabrina in  Pobol y Cwm (S4C), DS Allison Griffiths in A Mind to Kill, The First Minister of Wales in The Company of Strangers, The Life and Times of Lloyd George, Forever Green, High Hopes, Gavin & Stacey, Belonging, Casualty and appeared in the BAFTA winning series Sherlock.

Nominated as best actress for BAFTA Cymru in the welsh series Teulu (S4C) by Siwan Jones, she has worked with Ronnie Barker, Dave Allen, Harry Worth, Charlie Drake and Welsh comedian Ifan Gruffydd. Recently appeared in Stella (Sky One) with Ruth Jones,Alys (S4C) and Ar y Tracs, a bilingual film by Ruth Jones & Catrin Dafydd.

Theatre credits include: Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty (Newport), Jack and the Beanstalk (Barnsley,Porthcawl and Cheltenham), Miss Trunchbull in Matilda  (Sherman Theatre Cardiff), Fairy Godmother in Cinderella (Pontypridd), Edinburgh Festival 2004-2005 One Woman show and stand up with Mrs Olwen Tegwen Thomas (Mrs OTT), voted S4C’s most popular comedy character (Gillian is currently in S4C’s Noson Lawen).  

Voiceovers include: Girls Night Out (triple award winner) and Gogs (winner of fourBAFTA Cymru Awards).

Gillian has released three Welsh albums, and one English album, We Belong. Her autobiography Hyd yn Hyn (Up To Now) reached No 1 in Wales, December 2008.

Having played Alternate Grandma for four years and been voted fourth place in the West End Frame Awards for the Best Understudy of the Year 2014. Gillian is delighted to be taking over the role of Grandma.

(Source Billy Elliot show website.)