Inside Phyllis Logan's life from tragic loss to famous film star husband
Ahead of Murder Most Puzzling's latest episode on Channel 5, let's take a look at the life of actress Phyllis Logan, who is best known for playing Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey.
Murder Most Puzzling: Official trailer
Phyllis Logan has gracefully transitioned from her role as Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey to lead a charming new crime series.
Channel 5 recently premiered Murder Most Puzzling, featuring the talented Scottish actress Phyllis Logan as Cora, an avid crossword enthusiast.
Upon relocating to the quaint town of Bakerbury with her niece, Cora soon finds herself exercising her sleuthing prowess, aiding the local constabulary with their cases.
As we delve deeper into Murder Most Puzzling, here's what you should know about the star, Phyllis Logan.
Early life
Born in 1956 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Logan was the youngest sibling, with a brother named Cameron and a sister called Ann.
Her mother Betty and father David, who was both a Rolls-Royce engineer and trade union leader, raised her in a modest background.
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Although she participated in school plays and was part of the film club, it wasn't until a friend's encouragement that Logan considered acting as a viable career path.
Married actors Phyllis Logan and Kevin McNally in 2017.
(Image: GETTY )
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Speaking to Spokesman, Logan shared: "Because I came from a small town outside Glasgow, nobody from my school had ever gone into the acting profession.
"It was just something you didn't do."
Tragic loss
Her talent shone through at her audition, securing her a spot at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Tragically, Logan's father passed away at 59 when she was only 20, never witnessing her flourish in her acting career.
In a conversation with The Guardian, she expressed: "He was in intensive care and on a life-support machine for several months; it was horrible."
She also reminisced about her parents during a chat with Spokesman in 2013, stating: "Sadly my father died before I graduated so he didn't see any of the success at all.
"And my mum, bless her, who just died two years ago, she was very happy. I think she was proud of me."
Famous husband
Logan, famed for her roles in Lovejoy, Secrets and Lies, and Another Time, Another Place, met her future husband, actor Kevin McNally, on the set of the 1994 mini-series Love And Reason.
McNally, recently seen in Miss Austen and Apartment 7A, is perhaps best recognised for his portrayal of Joshamee Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
Having tied the knot in 2011 after welcoming their son David in 1996, Logan admitted she initially had reservations about dating a fellow actor.
Speaking to The Guardian, she confessed: "I thought they were vain.
"And I'd always sworn I'd never allow an actor across the threshold - but then love doesn't follow rules, does it?"
Actress Phyllis Logan is famed for portraying Mrs Hughes in Downton Abbey.
(Image: ITV )
Downton Abbey
ITV's iconic drama Downton Abbey spanned six successful seasons as it shared the tale of the Crawley family and their servants until its conclusion in 2015.
The brand extended with two films, the original launched in 2019 followed by A New Era in 2022.
Fans can now anticipate the third and ultimate cinematic instalment, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, hitting screens on September 12, 2025.
As audiences prepare themselves for what's anticipated to be an emotional finale, Logan revealed to Radio Times that she won't be shedding tears over the conclusion.
She said: "No, because it's probably - no, definitely - time to hang up our Downton keys and say goodbye.
"I did love playing that character, so it's sad in a way that I won't be getting into that wig again and putting that chatelaine on.."
What's next
Alongside her role in Murder Most Puzzling, the 69-year-old actress has another intriguing project underway.
Her IMDb page indicates that Logan is set to appear in the forthcoming A Taste For Murder, which is currently under production.
The description states: "[A Taste For Murder] follows DCI Joe Mottram, a star detective with the Metropolitan police who, after a personal tragedy, retreats to Capri in Italy with his daughter to stay with his Italian in-laws for the summer."
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In this new venture, Logan will take on the role of Elena Da Vinale and feature with acting talents such as Warren Brown from Luther, Beau Gadson of The Crown, and Cristiana Dell'Anna famed for Gomorrah.
Murder Most Puzzling will continue to air every Thursday at 8pm on Channel 5.
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