In 1980 , Blethyn made her television debut in Mike Leigh 's '' Grown-Ups '' . She later won leading roles on the short-run sitcoms '' Chance in a Million '' ( 1984 – 86 ) and '' The Labours of Erica '' ( 1989 – 90 ) . She made her big-screen debut with a small role in Nicolas Roeg 's 1990 film adaptation of Roald Dahl 's '' The Witches '' . She experienced a major career breakthrough with her leading role in Mike Leigh 's 1996 drama '' Secrets & Lies '' , for which she received multiple awards , including Best Actress at Cannes , a BAFTA , a Golden Globe , and an Academy Award nomination . She earned her second Academy Award nomination two years later , for her performance in '' Little Voice '' ( 1998 )
Cannes
1996 Cannes Film Festival
Brenda Blethyn