Penny Downie is an Australian actress, noted for her appearances on British television.

She began her career in Australia, initially in Brisbane at Twelfth Night Theatre and Brisbane Arts Theatre. She trained at NIDA - National Institute of Dramatic Art, Sydney. After graduation she appeared in TV series such as Bellbird, The Box, The Sullivans, Prisoner and Learned Friends.

She moved to the United Kingdom during the early 1980s. Her UK TV credits include: Minder, Inspector Morse, Kavanagh QC, The Cazalets, The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Spooks, Trial and Retribution, New Street Law and Poirot.

She is also an accomplished stage actress. She is an associate artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company where she has played roles such as Lady Anne in Richard III alongside Antony Sher, and Hermione and Perdita in The Winter's Tale.

Penny Downie was born in Australia. She was determined to make it overseas and her role in Minder with George Cole and Dennis Waterman was her big break. She's never looked back, and is regularly seen in TV work. She was known to have a good ear and able to pick up accents quickly. Her English accent is flawless today.