Tessa Peake-Jones: Biography, Husband, Raquel and Grantchester
There’s a certain comfort in seeing Tessa Peake-Jones, best known as Raquel in Only Fools and Horses and as Mrs Chapman in Grantchester, on British telly for decades. Across four decades, she’s built a career from sitcom to stage, while her personal life—particularly her marriage to actor Douglas Hodge—has drawn curiosity.
Born: 9 May 1957 ·
Birthplace: Hammersmith, London, England ·
Occupation: Actress ·
Years active: 1979–present ·
Notable roles: Raquel in Only Fools and Horses, Mrs Chapman in Grantchester ·
Spouse: Douglas Hodge (m. 1990s, separated 2013)
Quick snapshot
- Born 9 May 1957 in Hammersmith, London (Wikipedia record)
- Married Douglas Hodge in the 199s, separated in February 2013 ( record)
- Two children, Charlie and Molly-Rose ( record)
- Exact net worth not publicly confirmed
- Future acting projects beyond current Grantchester series (Wikipedia record)
- Details of her early stage career not fully documented
- 1988: First appearance as Raquel in Only Fools and Horses (Wikipedia record)
- 2014: Began role as Mrs Chapman in Grantchester (Wikipedia record)
- 2013: Separated from Douglas Hodge after 29 years together (Wikipedia record)
- Continuing to appear in Grantchester (ITV drama series) (Wikipedia record)
- Potential theatre work – no announced projects as of 2025
eight key facts at a glance: one pattern emerges—Peake-Jones’s career is rooted in long-running franchises and her personal life is been remarkably private despite public interest.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Tessa Peake-Jones |
| Label | Value | Peake-Jones |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 May 1957 |
| Birthplace | |
| Occupation | Actress |
| active | 1979–present |
| Spouse | Douglas Hodge (m. 1990s, separated 2013) | 2 (Charlie, Molly-Rose) |
| Notable roles | Raquel Turner (Only Fools and Horses), Mrs Catherine Chapman (Grantchester) |
Is Tessa Peake-Jones still married to Douglas Hodge?
Tessa Peake-Jones and Douglas Hodge were together for 29 years before separating in February 2013, according to Wikipedia record. They married in the 1990s and have children together: Charlie and Molly-Rose. As of the latest public reports, they remain separated
- Douglas Hodge is an English actor and theatre director known for roles in The Night Manager (David), Penny Dreadful, and The Last of the Mohicans (Wikipedia record).
- He and Peake met early in their careers.
He won an Olivier Award for his stage performance in In the Red and Brown Water.Wikipedia record
How long have they been married?
in the 1990s, but the exact year not publicly confirmed. Their marriage lasted until early 2013. The couple have not divorced. (Wikipedia record)
The implication the separation remains final.
What happened to Raquel from Only Fools and Horses?
Raquel Turner, played Tessa Peake-Jones introduced in the 1988 Christmas special of Only Fools and Horses, a BBC sitcom (Wikipedia record). She became the long-term partner of Derek “Del Boy” Trotter (David Jason) and eventually married him. Peake-Jones played the character from 1988 to 1993, in 1996, and from 2001 to 2003, including final series and subsequent specials.
Raquel’s introduction in Only Fools and Horses
Raquel first appeared as a love interest for Del Boy. She a single mother with a young son, Damien. The role was initially temporary but became regular after audience reception.
Raquel’s relationship with Rodney Trotter
Although Raquel is paired with Del Boy, she forms a close bond with Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) as part of the family dynamic. The character known for her wit and patience with Del Boy’s schemes.
Actress Tessa Peake-Jones later roles
After Only Fools and Horses, Peake-Jones moved to other television work, most notably as Mrs Chapman in Grantchester. She also Tawny Owl in animated series (199–1995) (Wikipedia record).
Raquel remains one of British TV’s most beloved sitcom characters. Peake-Jones’s portrayal turned a one-off love into a three-decade legacy role.
What is Mrs C’s first on Grantchester?
Mrs Chapman, played by Tessa Peake-Jones, is the housekeeper at the vicarage in the ITV drama Grantchester. Her first name Catherine, and she is sometimes called Cathy (Wikipedia record). The character has been a staple since its in 2014.
Character Mrs Chapman in Grantchester
Mrs Chapman is described as religious and sometimes cantankerous, providing comic relief and moral grounding the vicars she serves. She is a widow and deeply involved in the local church community.
Peake brings a blend of sternness and hidden warmth to the role. She has played Mrs Chapman for over a decade, making her one of the show’s longest-serving actors.
The pattern: a role built on reliability, not flash.
What is Douglas Hodge known for?
Douglas best known for his role as the villainous David in the 2016 BBC series The Night, opposite Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie (Wikipedia record). He also appeared in Penny Dreadful (as Vincent Brand), The Last of the Mohicans, numerous theatre productions.
Douglas Hodge’s notable film and TV roles
- The Night Manager (2016) – David
- penny Dreadful (2014–2016)
- The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
- The Crying Game
His theatre work
In the Red Brown Water (2008). He has also directed plays Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre (Wikipedia record).
Douglas Hodge is a celebrated stage actor who crossed into high‑profile TV roles later in his career. His marriage to Peake‑Jones and their separation created a rare personal narrative in an otherwise private professional life.
The implication: Hodge’s career spans both classical theatre and modern television.
- – Born in Hammersmith, London (Wikipedia record)
- – First professional acting role (Wikipedia)
- – Introduced as Raquel in Only Fools and Horses (Wikipedia record)
- – Married Douglas Hodge (Wikipedia record)
- – Last regular appearance as Raquel (Wikipedia record)
- – Separated from Douglas Hodge
- – Began role as Chapman in Grantchester (Wikipedia record)
- – Continues Grantchester appearances and occasional theatre (Wikipedia record)
– Appeared as Mrs. Gardiner in Pride and Prejudice (BBC) (Wikipedia record
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Date and place of birth: 9 May 1957 in Hammersmith, London (Wikipedia record)
- Marriage to Douglas Hodge and subsequent separation in 2013 (Wikipedia record)
- Two children: Charlie and MollyRose (Famous Birthdays)
- not in Only and Horses (1988–2003), Mrs Chapman in Grantchester (2014–) (Wikipedia record)
- Appeared in Pride and Prejudice (1995) as Mrs. Gardiner (Wikipedia record)
Tawny The Animals of Farthing Wood (1993–1995) (Simple Wikipedia)
- Exact net worth
- Future projects beyond current Grantchester filming
- Details of early theatre career before 1979
- Whether she has any siblings
Specifi
Related reading: Anya Taylor-Joy: Biography, Age, Height, Husband & Career
Frequently asked questions
What is Tessa Peake-Jones’s height?
Her height is not publicly listed in official sources.
She has guest-starred in numerous British series including Midsomer Murders, Doctor Who audio dramas, and The Bill. She also appeared in the film The Mother (2003).
Is she still acting?
Yes, she continues to appear in Grantchester and also performs in theatre productions occasionally.
Does she any siblings
What awards has she won?
She has not received major individual acting awards, but her work on Only Fools and Horses contributed the show’s BAFTA awards.
What are her hobbies?
Little is known about her personal interests; she has given very few interviews.
For viewers who grew up with Raquel and now watch Mrs Chapman, Tessa Peake-Jones the reliable, warm presence that British television does so well. The pattern is clear: her career is built on long-running series, not one-off roles. For the actress herself, the choice has been to prioritise work over public exposure—and for her audience, that means more years seeing a familiar face that never fails to deliver.
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