Only Fools and Horses fans were stunned to learn that Wanda Ventham, who portrayed Cᴀssandra Trotter’s mother, Pamela Parry, is part of a rather famous family. 

Wanda, 89, and Denis Lill, 82, played Pamela and Alan Parry, appeared in four episodes across series six and seven of the beloved sitcom over three years. 

However, fans were shocked to discover that Wanda is the mother of Hollywood star Benedict Cumberbatch, 48. 

In the 1980s sitcom, Alan (Denis) owned a successful printing business where Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst) worked between 1989 and 1991. 

Alan eventually became friends with Del Boy (David Jason). He often overindulged in food and drink with the legendary character, much to the dismay of his upтιԍнт wife, Pamela.

The couple also made an appearance at Damien’s christening in Miami Twice.

Only Fools and Horses fans were stunned to learn that Wanda Ventham, who portrayed Cᴀssandra Trotter’s mother, Pamela Parry, is part of a rather famous family (pictured 1970)

Wanda, 89, and Denis Lill, 82, played Pamela and Alan Parry, appearing in four episodes across series six and seven over three years (L-R Denis, Roger Lloyd-Pack, and Wanda on the show)

Though their roles in the series were relatively minor, both stars were well-known in their own right. 

Denis had notable roles in Survivors, The Royal and Outside Edge, while Wanda appeared in two Carry On films, as well as Holby City and Heartbeat.

In 1976, Wanda married fellow actor Timothy Carlton, who came from a family of decorated war heroes and was a well-known actor in his own right. 

Timothy starred in Keeping Up Appearances, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Next of Kin. Together, they had a son who would go on to become a Hollywood heavyweight – Benedict.

Wanda and Timothy shared screen time in the drama The Lotus Eaters in 1973, and later appeared alongside Benedict in the third and fourth series of BBC’s Sherlock (2014 and 2017), playing Sherlock’s parents.

Benedict’s career skyrocketed with his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, leading to roles in Atonement, The Imitation Game and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

His trajectory then veered into big-budget films, where he played Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness and voiced Smaug and Sauron in The Hobbit series. 

He also embodied Dr. Stephen Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring in Doctor Strange and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

However, fans were shocked to discover that Wanda is the mother of Hollywood star Benedict Cumberbatch, 48 (L-R Wanda, Benedict, Tracie Bennett and Timothy Carlton pictured 2012) 

Benedict’s career skyrocketed with his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, leading to roles in Atonement, The Imitation Game and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Off-screen, Benedict is married to Sophie Hunter, a director and actress known for her roles in Midsomer Murders, Torchwood, and Vanity Fair, where she starred alongside Reese Witherspoon.

Wanda has often expressed her pride for Benedict, particularly when he portrayed Hamlet at the Barbican Theatre in 2015.

After the performance, she said she was ‘extraordinarily proud’ of him and remarked on the liveliness of his performance, adding: ‘He was quite lively growing up, but I thought that was phenomenal.’

Only Fools and Horses is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and BritBox.  

In 1976, Wanda married fellow actor Timothy Carlton and welcomed their son, Benedict, in the same year (Wanda and Timothy pictured 2021)