
Clare Holman – Biography, Age, Career and 2026 Update
Clare Holman is an English actress best known for her long‑running portrayal of forensic pathologist Dr. Laura Hobson in the ITV crime dramas Inspector Morse and Lewis. Born on 12 January 1964 in London, she has built a career that spans more than three decades, encompassing television, film, and stage work. Despite her public profile, Holman keeps her personal life largely out of the spotlight, and details such as her net worth and marital status are not publicly confirmed.
Holman’s breakthrough role came in 1995 when she joined the cast of Inspector Morse as Dr. Laura Hobson. She went on to appear in all 33 episodes of the series and later reprised the character in its spin‑off Lewis, playing the part in all 42 episodes. This makes her one of only two actors – alongside Kevin Whately – to have played the same character in both shows. Beyond her television work, Holman has a distinguished stage career and has also moved into directing.
As of 2026, Holman is 62 years old. She remains active in the industry, with a recent role in the 2025 series King & Conqueror and two projects listed for 2026: the short film Agnes and the feature Cold Storage. No official announcements have been made regarding further 2026 plans, and her net worth is not disclosed in any authoritative source.
Who Is Clare Holman? Biography and Career Overview
- Full Name: Clare Margaret Holman
- Born: January 12, 1964
- Birthplace: London, England, UK
- Known For: Dr. Laura Hobson in Inspector Morse and Lewis
Key Insights
- Holman portrayed Dr. Laura Hobson for more than 20 years across two major ITV series.
- She received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her stage performance in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1997).
- Holman has expanded into directing, helming episodes of Doctors and Holby City.
- She is one of only two actors to play the same character in both Inspector Morse and Lewis.
- Holman also teaches drama at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
- Despite her long career, she maintains a notably private personal life.
Snapshot Facts
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Clare Margaret Holman |
| Date of Birth | January 12, 1964 |
| Age | 62 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | London, England, UK |
| Occupation | Actress, Director |
| Years Active | 1987–present |
| Notable Role | Dr. Laura Hobson (Inspector Morse, Lewis) |
| Awards | Laurence Olivier Award nomination (stage) |
| Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Children | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
How Old Is Clare Holman? Age and Personal Details
How old is Clare Holman?
Clare Holman was born on January 12, 1964, which makes her 62 years old as of 2026. Her birth date is confirmed by multiple sources, including IMDb and Wikipedia.
Who is Clare Holman married to?
Holman was married to director Howard Davies from April 2005 until his death in October 2016. This information is recorded in publicly available biographies. Beyond that, no further details about her current marital status are confirmed.
Does Clare Holman have children?
According to available records, Holman does not have biological children. However, through her marriage to Howard Davies she had stepchildren and stepgrandchildren. Holman has not publicly discussed family life beyond these points.
No authoritative source provides a verified net worth for Clare Holman. Any figure found online is speculative and should not be treated as factual. Official financial disclosures are not available.
What is Clare Holman’s net worth?
There is no public record of Clare Holman’s net worth. Reputable biographies and databases such as Independent Talent do not list financial figures. Any numbers circulating on unofficial websites are estimates without basis.
What Is Clare Holman Doing in 2026?
Upcoming and Recent Projects
In 2025, Holman appeared in the television series King & Conqueror, playing the role of Gytha across eight episodes. According to Rotten Tomatoes and Apple TV, two projects are listed for 2026: the short film Agnes and the film Cold Storage, in which she is cast as Annie. Specific release dates have not been announced.
Only two 2026 titles appear on her IMDb page as of early 2026: Agnes and Cold Storage. No other projects have been officially announced. Holman’s established pattern suggests she may also take on stage roles or directorial work, but nothing is confirmed.
What Are the Key Milestones in Clare Holman’s Career?
- 1964: Born in London, England.
- 1987: Began professional acting career.
- 1989: Appeared in the film The Woman in Black.
- 1991: Role in Let Him Have It.
- 1995–2000: Portrayed Dr. Laura Hobson in Inspector Morse (33 episodes).
- 2006: Appeared in the film Blood Diamond.
- 2006–2015: Reprised role of Dr. Laura Hobson in Lewis (42 episodes).
- 1997 (approx.): Nominated for a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
- 2024: Appeared in Killer Heat.
- 2025: Played Gytha in King & Conqueror (8 episodes).
- 2026: Two projects listed: Agnes and Cold Storage.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Uncertain About Clare Holman?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: January 12, 1964 | Exact marital status (currently unmarried? separated? not known) |
| Birthplace: London, England | Whether she has biological children (public records indicate she does not) |
| Professional name: Clare Margaret Holman | Verified net worth figure (none exists) |
| Role: Dr. Laura Hobson in Inspector Morse and Lewis | Specific 2026 project release dates or further roles |
| Filmography includes Blood Diamond, Let Him Have It, The Woman in Black | Any future stage or directing commitments |
| Laurence Olivier Award nomination (stage) | |
| Has directed episodes of Doctors and Holby City |
Why Is Clare Holman’s Role as Dr. Laura Hobson Significant?
Holman’s portrayal of Dr. Laura Hobson was groundbreaking for British television in the 1990s. The character was one of the first regular female forensic pathologists on a prime‑time crime drama, bringing scientific authority and emotional depth to the role. The Inspector Morse franchise and its follow‑up Lewis ran for more than three decades, making Holman one of its longest‑serving cast members. Her Laurence Olivier nomination underlined her credibility as a stage actress, and her move into directing reflects a broader trend of actors taking greater creative control over their work.
Where Can I Find Authoritative Information About Clare Holman?
“Clare Margaret Holman is an English actress. She portrayed forensic pathologist Laura Hobson in the crime drama series Inspector Morse and its spin‑off Lewis.”
— Wikipedia
“Clare Holman was born on 12 January 1964 in London, England, UK. She is an actress and director, known for Blood Diamond (2006), Let Him Have It (1991).”
— IMDb
“Clare is best known for playing forensic pathologist Dr. Laura Hobson in INSPECTOR MORSE and its spin‑off LEWIS. She was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award.”
— Independent Talent
What Is the Overall Story of Clare Holman’s Career?
Clare Holman built a lasting legacy as Dr. Laura Hobson in Inspector Morse and Lewis, a role she played for over two decades. Beyond television, she earned a Laurence Olivier nomination for stage work and has directed episodes of popular series. Her recent projects include King & Conqueror (2025) and forthcoming films in 2026. Throughout, she has maintained a private personal life, with many details – including net worth and current marital status – remaining unconfirmed by reliable sources. For more on the series that defined her career, see Lewis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clare Holman’s net worth?
Clare Holman’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Any figures circulating online are speculative and should not be considered verified.
Does Clare Holman have children?
There is no public information confirming whether Clare Holman has biological children. She has stepchildren and stepgrandchildren from her marriage to Howard Davies.
What was Clare Holman like when she was young?
Clare Holman began her acting career in the late 1980s. Her early roles included The Woman in Black (1989) and Let Him Have