Frances Hargreaves

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Deborah Gray and Frances Hargreaves in a scene from Number 96
Deborah Gray and Frances Hargreaves in a scene from Number 96

Frances Hargreaves was a South African born actor who became famous in Australia in the 1970s through her long running role of Marilyn McDonald in soap opera Number 96.

Prior to Number 96 she had acted on the stage in the UK. After marrying Australian actor David Gilchrist they settled in Australia and the role in Number 96 followed in January 1974. Hargreaves scored the role at the last-minute when the original actor, Judy McBurney, had to withdraw due to illness and Hargreaves had to reshoot all of McBurney's scenes.

Hargreaves left the series in June 1975 when she fell pregnant. During a subsequent visit to her native South Africa with new born son Samuel David she acted on the stage in The Sound of Music and Stop the World I Want to Get Off.

She subsequently returned to Australia and resumed her role in Number 96 from April 1977 until its demise later that year.

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L to R: Bunney Brooke as Flo, Dina Mann as Debbie, Sheila Kennelly as Norma, Frances Hargreaves as Marilyn, and Pat McDonald as Dorrie in the final episode of Number 96.
L to R: Bunney Brooke as Flo, Dina Mann as Debbie, Sheila Kennelly as Norma, Frances Hargreaves as Marilyn, and Pat McDonald as Dorrie in the final episode of Number 96.