Raquel Cassidy is an English actress best known for her portrayal of Phyllis Baxter, the loyal and quietly courageous lady’s maid, in Downton Abbey (2013–2015). Introduced in the fourth season, her character brought a nuanced depth to the downstairs world of the Crawley household, and Cassidy reprised the role in both the 2019 and 2022 Downton Abbey films. As part of the ensemble cast, she shared the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2015.
Cassidy has also led a prolific television career, with major roles in series such as Teachers, Party Animals, Moving Wallpaper, Lead Balloon, The Worst Witch (as the strict Miss Hardbroom), and The Good Karma Hospital. Her versatility has allowed her to portray characters across comedy, drama, and fantasy genres with equal skill.
Born in Fleet, Hampshire, to a Spanish mother and English father, Cassidy studied modern languages at Girton College, Cambridge, and initially pursued a PhD in biological anthropology before switching to acting—a decision that launched a diverse and acclaimed career.
