AceShowbiz - Beloved actress Glenda Jackson has been feted with the prestigious Richard Harris Award by officials at the British Independent Film Awards.

The "A Touch of Class" star was announced as the recipient of the 2020 honour, which recognises an actor's outstanding contribution to the British film industry, on Wednesday, May 26, when she was virtually presented with the prize by "The Crown" actor Josh O'Connor, her co-star in upcoming film "Mothering Sunday".

A statement released by BIFA bosses reads, "Glenda Jackson is a pioneer of stage and screen whose choice of roles has often challenged and changed the narrative around both class and female representation."

"Her incredible body of work has spanned many genres and generations and she remains, to this day, one of the U.K.'s most talented and beloved thespians."

The accolade is named after late acting great Harris, who shared the screen with a young Jackson in 1963 film "This Sporting Life".

"I was very surprised to receive this award; it's very kind of BIFA!" Jackson smiled.

Previous honourees include Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson, and John Hurt.

The news of Jackson's prize emerges three months after the 2020 BIFAs were held virtually due to COVID concerns.

A two-time Oscar winner, Jackson only recently returned to acting following a 25-year break to enter politics as a member of parliament for the Labour Party.

She has since won acclaim for her theatre work in a 2016 West End production of "King Lear", which earned her an Olivier Award nomination, and for her 2018 role in Broadway's "Three Tall Women", which landed her a Tony Award.

Jackson was also hailed in 2019 for TV movie "Elizabeth Is Missing", which won her an International Emmy Award and a BAFTA TV Award.