Lynette Clarke, who starred in It’s a Sin and Bridgerton, has died. (Nancy Hudson Associates)
Tributes are pouring in for It’s a Sin and Bridgerton actor Lynette Clarke, who tragically died earlier this week.
Clarke appeared in the first episode of the acclaimed Channel 4 drama as a nurse when Colin (Callum Scott Howells) goes go visit Henry (Neil Patrick Harris) when he is hospitalised with AIDS.
She also recently starred as a nurse in Netflix’s smash hit Bridgerton.
Clarke had a long career on the stage in productions as diverse as To Kill a Mockingbird and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. She later took on television roles in Harley Street and Topboy.
People who worked with Clarke have issued heartfelt tributes to the actor, including those who worked on Russell T Davies’ series It’s a Sin.
It’s a Sin casting director remembers Lynette Clarke as a ‘lovely woman’.
Andy Pryor, casting director on the series, shared the news on Twitter on Sunday (21 February), remembering Clarke as a “lovely woman”.
“So very sad to hear that Lynette Clarke has passed,” Pryor wrote. “She played the Nurse on the desk when Colin goes to see Henry in hospital in It’s a Sin. She was a lovely, lovely woman.”
So very sad to hear that #LynetteClarke has passed. She played the Nurse on the desk when Colin goes to see Henry in hospital in #ItsASin She was a lovely, lovely woman.
— Andy Pryor CDG, CSA 🏳️🌈🇪🇺💙 (@pryorandy) February 21, 2021
Omari Douglas, who plays Roscoe in the hit series, replied: “Oh this is gutting news,” and said his heart goes out to her loved ones.
Nathaniel Curtis, who plays Ash, replied: “That’s so sad. Thinking of her family and loved ones.”
Callum Scott Howells, who plays Colin in the series, shared a heartfelt tribute to Clarke, and reflected on their day filming together.
“I’m completely shook by this news today. I spent a really special day with Lynette and we told each other stories and laughed the whole way though. The kindest and most beautiful soul. I’m sending all my love to Lynette’s family and loved ones.”
I’m completely shook by this news today. I spent a really special day with Lynette and we told each other stories and laughed the whole way through. The kindest and most beautiful soul. I’m sending all my love to Lynette’s family and loved ones ❤️ https://t.co/4ntWWnNtpG
— Callum Scott Howells (@callumshowells) February 21, 2021
Emma Jane Goodwin, a Welsh actor, praised her as “the most beautiful lady” in a heartbreaking reply to Howells’ tribute.
“We did Curious Incident together in the West End,” Goodwin wrote, “and when we spoke a few weeks ago she said how lovely you were, and how you would’ve made a fantastic Romeo.”
Others who worked with Clarke throughout her long career shared their tributes and memories on social media.
This is devastating. #LynetteClarke played Tituba in The Crucible @LeedsPlayhouse and would give me a cuddle every time when she was coming off stage and I was going on. She was unbelievably kind, devastatingly talented and wickedly funny. Rest in Peace Lynnette ❤️ https://t.co/DvYGiNGRxZ pic.twitter.com/06Bg69DDay
— Beth Knight (@bethLAknight) February 20, 2021
#LynetteClarke was a friend of my mother, and was so lovely when meeting me in the break after a matinee during her run of a Curious Incident. Cannot tell you how shocked we are to hear this news. A truly lovely, hardworking woman. Lynette, you will be missed. ❤️ https://t.co/IVL9stmuBa
— Georgia Iudica-Davies (@G_IudicaDavies) February 21, 2021
Lynette Clarke ( centre) you rest in peace beautiful lady. Here we are in ‘ Ain’t Misbehavin’….good times x @theBBTAs @NationalTheatre pic.twitter.com/bPRjkrKTPy
— omar f okai (@omarokai) February 19, 2021
So sad to hear of the passing of dear #LynetteClarke a bright shining soul gone too soon. From ushering days at the NT to her brilliant performances on stage as screen – #ItsASin most recently – Lynette will be sadly missed by all who had the privilege to know her 💔 https://t.co/MxCQIC4euZ
— Belfield & Ward Ltd (@BelfieldWard) February 21, 2021
Really sad to hear that lovely Lynette Clarke (recently in both Bridgerton and It’s A Sin) is no longer with us. I literally never heard her speak a bad word of anyone. That is unheard of in this business. pic.twitter.com/EogYIZgXHv
— Lucas Hare (@1ucashare) February 19, 2021
Shocked and saddened to hear the passing of #LynetteClarke – had the pleasure of sharing a dressing rooms with her for over a year. Lynette was a beaming woman, always a huge smile and such a great actor. Generous, kind & hilariously bonkers 💕a brilliant person, sadly missed 💔
— 𝕃𝔸𝕌ℝ𝔸 🌈 (@LauraCrowhurst_) February 20, 2021
Saddened by the news of Lynette Clarke’s passing. A woman who was there at the start of my career and would pop up in rehearsal rooms regularly as one of the kindest most hardworking actors. She was always more interested in how you were. Sending love to her family ❤️
— Peter J Holland 🖤 (@PeterjHolland) February 21, 2021