Downton Abbey star Peter Egan has become a familiar on-screen face over the decades, after rising to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s. The actor, now 79, has been cast in the likes of Chariots of Fire and Midsomer Murders over the years.
Peter got his breakthrough in the lead role in the BBC series Prince Regent in 1979. Additionally, he was a key character in the popular BBC sitcom Ever Decreasing Circles, which ran from 1984 to 1989. More recently, he appeared alongside stars such as Lily James and Hugh Bonneville in Downton Abbey from 2012 to 2015.
However, while we may be well-acquainted with Peter's numerous TV credits, it's less known that he is part of a successful acting family. Indeed, both his late wife and step-daughter are stars in their own right...
© Getty ImagesPeter's famous wife
The actor was married to the actress Myra Frances before her death in 2021. She was known for her roles in the drama series Survivors and in Doctor Who, and also for performing the first lesbian kiss on British television in the BBC show Second City Firsts in 1974.
She met Peter - who would become her second husband - in 1972, while working on The Organisation, and they walked down the aisle later that year. This means they were wed for 49 years before her passing, following a long battle with cancer, at the age of 78.
© Getty ImagesThe couple were avid animal rights campaigners together, and adopted a Bosnian dog, Tidus, from a dog rescue in Sarajevo. Since her death, Peter has continued to raise awareness and even go vegan.
He recently spoke to ITV News about his mission to rehome 51 Jersey cows to Norfolk to remove them from the dairy industry. Additionally, he has joined forces with Ricky Gervais to call for pet-inclusive housing support for the homeless with a parliamentary petition.
Peter’s famous step-daughter
From Myra's first marriage to actor Robert Taylor, she had a daughter, who would become Rebecca Egan following her marriage to Peter. She herself went on to become an actress like her mother and stepfather.
© Corbis via Getty ImagesRebecca, whose exact age is not publicly known, has kept a lower profile than her parents. She has appeared appeared in theatre productions and in shows like Casualty, EastEnders, The Bill and Holby City.
