Trivia

Asherson's serendipitous casting as French Princess Katherine in Henry V (1944) was the result of Olivier fearing that 'Vivien Leigh was too big a star and might eclipse his own performance in the title role'.

Trained for the stage at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Made her theatrical debut in a walk-on part in John Gielgud's 1935 revival of Romeo and Juliet at the New Theatre.

Stepmother of John Donat.

Aunt of writer Neal Ascherson, who is the son of Renée's half-brother from her father's first marriage in 1900.

She died only 13 days before her Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966) co-star Richard Pasco.