From playing the indomitable Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous to spearheading political campaigns, we’ve always known her as a bombshell peroxide blonde.
But now, for the first time, fans will see Joanna Lumley, 71, looking closer to her age as she sports greying hair and loses her glamorous wardrobe.
In pictures from her latest film, the comedian – usually a fan of heavy black eye makeup and high heels – looks a world away from her chic self, even with a hint of greying hair.
Lumley appears in her latest film, Finding Your Feet, with distinguished-looking silver hair, subtle taupe eye shadow and a delicate mauve lipstick
The actor new incarnation is a far cry from her Absolutely Fabulous movies – here she is with co-star Jennifer Saunders in an edition of the comedy programme in 1992
Lumley has now shed her famed bombshell peroxide blonde look
Her usual glittering gowns have been swapped for a grey hooded jumper, with her trademark blonde locks covered with a conservative grey bob.
It is unclear if the star was wearing a wig, but the hair looks thicker than her usual choppy style.
Miss Lumley is starring alongside veteran stage and screen actresses Imelda Staunton and Celia Imrie in Finding Your Feet, a comedy about rediscovering your youth after divorcing as a retiree.
To complete her transformation, her usually intense dark eye makeup was replaced with a subtle taupe eye shadow along with a delicate mauve lipstick.
From her earlier modeling and acting career, Joanna Lumley’s interests have expanded – she has i recent years highlighted the poor treatment of the Gurkhas and supported animal welfare
Lumley has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful television stars of the 1970s
Lumley recently appeared in The Making Of A Lady as Lady Maria Byrne – the classic tale tells the story of the well-educated but penniless Emily, who grew up hoping she would marry for love, but comes to realise that her priority must be survival. Emily works for Lady Maria, a domineering, acerbic older woman
The new look will see her play the role of Jackie, who meets Miss Staunton’s character at a dance class.
The Absolutely Fabulous star is to host Sunday’s Baftas, after taking over from 12-time host Stephen Fry.
Already in a good company, she received a rapturous reception when she won the Bafta Fellowship in May last year.
Of her hosting job, she said: ‘Honestly, how exciting is this? It’s just so unbelievably thrilling. Who thought I’d turn into Stephen Fry?
‘I want to thank Bafta so much for asking me to do this. I said yes indecently quickly.’
Her latest film follows a woman, played by veteran stage and screen star Miss Staunton, on the eve of her retirement, who discovers her husband is having an affair with her best friend.
She then moves to her bohemian sister’s house, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’s Miss Imrie and meets her eccentric friends.
Finding Your Feet is in cinemas from February 23rd.