Josette Patricia Simon, OBE, is a celebrated British actor known for her versatile performances on stage, television, film, and radio. Born in Leicester in the late 1950s, Simon's passion for acting was ignited at a young age, leading her to pursue formal training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Her breakout role came as Dayna Mellanby in the iconic sci-fi series Blake's 7, where she captivated audiences with her energy and physical presence. Simon's illustrious career spans over 50 stage productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), where she has been a trailblazer for color-blind casting and garnered critical acclaim for her performances in Shakespearean classics. Her exceptional talent has earned her prestigious accolades, including the Evening Standard's Best Actress award and the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to drama. With her remarkable versatility and commitment to her craft, Josette Patricia Simon continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of performing arts.

Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE is a renowned English theatre actress and director of African descent, born on February 16, 1964, in London. She has been living and working in Sweden for many years. In February 2021, she was appointed as the incoming Principal of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, becoming the first person of African descent and the third woman overall to hold this role. Josette's career has been marked by numerous achievements. She has served as the artistic director for the National Touring Swedish Deaf Theatre ensemble TystTeater and as the Head of the theatre department at the Stockholm University of the Arts. Her notable acting credits include performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. She founded the Push Arts Festival and was awarded an OBE in 2006 for her contributions to the arts.Apart from her theatrical work, Josette has also appeared in Swedish shows and films. She has been actively involved in various organizations and has taught at several theatre schools. Josette is married to Swedish producer Stefan Karsberg, and they have two sons. She is fluent in Swedish sign language.Josette Bushell-Mingo's impact on the theatre community and her commitment to empowering Black creators have solidified her status as a trailblazing figure in the performing arts.

Josette Bruce (née Josépha Pyrzbil), a French novelist of Polish descent, is best known for continuing the literary series OSS 117 after the passing of her husband, Jean Bruce, the creator of the series. Born in Poland, Bruce met Jean on a train and later took over writing the OSS 117 series in 1966, following her husband's death. Her first book in the series, Les anges de Los Angeles, marked the beginning of her successful authorship. Additionally, she remarried Pierre Dourne, a family friend who inspired a character in the series. Throughout her career, Bruce authored numerous mystery novels, leaving a lasting impact on the literary world. She penned her final OSS 117 book, Anathème à Athènes, in 1985, having written a total of 143 adventures. Bruce's contributions were commemorated at the 1990 Cognac Thriller Film Festival. Following her passing in 1996, she was laid to rest alongside her husband at the cemetery of St Peter's Church in Chantilly. Her legacy lives on through her literary works and the continuation of the OSS 117 series by her step-family.