Julie Andrews Turns 91 With A Second Straight Emmy And A Disney+ Documentary On The Way

Julie Andrews celebrates her 91st birthday on October 1 with a new trophy on the shelf. She was born in Walton-on-Thames, England, in 1935, and the world has known her voice for most of the years since. That voice is still winning prizes. On September 6 she won the Emmy for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for her work as Lady Whistledown on ‘Bridgerton.’

According to People, it was her second consecutive win in the category. She did not attend the ceremony, so presenter Eric Bauza accepted on her behalf. Parade also reported the win. The honor arrives at a time when she has been candid about where her career stands. She confirmed this summer that she will not appear in a third ‘Princess Diaries’ film, news DYR shared when she gave fans the update. “I think the absolute truth is that I think I’m really past all that now,” she said of on-screen acting, as quoted by People.

Julie Andrews Is Not Finished Yet

Andrews’ work as Lady Whistledown is especially remarkable considering the vocal difficulties she faced decades earlier. In 1997, surgery on her vocal cords left her unable to sing the way she once had, bringing an unexpected end to the musical performances that defined much of her career. But her unmistakable speaking voice remained in demand. She went on to voice Queen Lillian in the Shrek films, narrate Enchanted, and bring the mysterious Lady Whistledown to life in Bridgerton. Her latest Emmy, the fourth of her career, is a reminder that her talents have continued evolving long after her days as Mary Poppins and Maria von Trapp.

Stepping back from the camera is different from stopping. “I’m not completely retired, but it’s a different kind of work that I do these days,” she explained, pointing to her books, podcasts and voiceovers. There is more to come. People reports that a documentary about her life from director R.J. Cutler will stream on Disney+ in 2027. “To sit with Julie, to be allowed into her inner world, to watch her reflect on a life that has shaped so many other lives was an experience I will forever cherish,” Cutler said. Generations who grew up with Mary Poppins and Maria will know exactly what he means.

Julie Andrews Has Found A New Passion Away From The Screen

Andrews has also built a remarkable second career as a children’s author, frequently collaborating with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. The two have written more than 30 books together, including the popular The Very Fairy Princess series. In 2020, they launched Julie’s Library, a podcast featuring Andrews and Hamilton reading children’s stories, sometimes joined by authors and young listeners. For Andrews, whose own childhood was shaped by World War II, encouraging children to discover the joy of reading has become an especially meaningful part of her later career.

Her next major project will bring fans closer to the woman behind those beloved characters. Disney announced in July 2026 that director R.J. Cutler is preparing a documentary featuring rare archival footage and new interviews with Andrews. The film will explore her early years performing in British vaudeville, her rise to international fame, and the personal challenges she faced along the way. Scheduled to arrive on Disney+ in 2027, the documentary promises a more intimate look at a star whose career has stretched across eight decades. At 91, Andrews may have stepped away from on-screen acting, but she continues sharing her stories with the generations who grew up watching her.