Kate O'Mara of Doctor Who, Dynasty Dies at 74

Actress known for often playing scheming, vixen-like characters

By Rebecca Macatee Mar 31, 2014 11:13 AMTags
Kate O'MaraAP Images

Kate O'Mara, known to many for her role as Caress Morell on the 1980s soap opera Dynasty, has passed away.

The British actress died Sunday in a nursing home in Sussex, England, at age 74, her agent Phil Belfield confirmed, telling the BBC, "A shining star has gone out and Kate will be dearly missed by all who knew and have worked with her."

O'Mara often played scheming characters, as she did on Dynasty and on the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. She also had roles on British TV shows including The Brothers, Triangle and Howard's Way. In the 1980s, she played a villain called Time Lord The Rani on Doctor Who, and just last year, she told Digital Spy, "I would love to come back."

"I have white hair now, but a lot of it, and I'm still very glamorous and so I won't disappoint, I hope!" she said. "I'll still be wearing the tight leather trousers and high-heel boots, regardless of what age!"

She is survived by her sister, actress Belinda Carroll. Her son Dickon passed away last year.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.