[1] Although her married name was Jean Dunlop Perceval-Clark she retained her maiden name in the context of acting.

She was born at 4 Buckingham Terrace[2] in Edinburgh, the daughter of Dr Francis Cadell (1844-1909), a wealthy surgeon, and his wife, Mary Hamilton Boileau (1853-1907).

[3] The family moved to 22 Ainslie Place, a huge Georgian house on the Moray Estate, in her youth.

[5][6] Among her best-known cinema roles was in the Ealing Studios comedy Whisky Galore!

[citation needed] In addition to numerous films, Cadell appeared on TV, including playing the Marquesa of Andalusia in the episode 'Prize of Andalusia' (1957) in the TV series 'The Buccaneers'.