English actress
She is the mother of film star Benedict Cumberbatch.
She trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama.
She has a daughter named Tracy from her first marriage.
She and husband Timothy Carlton play the mother and father of Sherlock Holmes on "Sherlock" . Sherlock is of course played by their real son, Benedict Cumberbatch.
She lost out on the part of Jill Masterson, the character who is painted gold in Goldfinger , to Shirley Eaton. Ventham was later painted gold for her role as Thea Ransome in the television serial "Doctor Who" {Image of the Fendahl: Part One (#15.9)} .
She was considered for the major guest role of Preston in "Doctor Who" {Warriors of the Deep: Part One (#21.1)} , which went to Tara Ward.
