Ten Questions with Miriam Margolyes

As a fan and admirer of Miriam Margolyes, I cannot recommend enough adding “Miriam Margolyes: A New Australian Adventure” to your watchlist. With her remarkable career spanning over five decades, this extraordinary actress, author, and documentarian continues to captivate audiences with her wit, charm, and unapologetic candor.

Add Miriam Margolyes: a New Australian Adventure to your watchlist

Miriam Margolyes, an actor at the age of 83, is mostly recognized for her parts in the Harry Potter films as Professor Sprout, in Call the Midwife as Mother Mildred, and in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence, which earned her a BAFTA award. However, her abilities extend beyond acting – she’s penned three books, with her memoir This Much Is True having sold over three million copies. In more recent times, Margolyes has gained notoriety for her frank talk show appearances and documentaries presenting. Her latest project is a three-part BBC travel series titled Miriam Margolyes: A New Australian Adventure.

So, Miriam, what inspired you to make this new series about Australia?

Since my first visit to Australia in 1980, I’ve witnessed significant transformations in the country. My intention is to produce a series that explores the concept of belonging, aiming to uncover the various groups or communities that people identify with. I trust that this project will resonate with viewers as truthful, enlightening, and engaging.

Over three episodes you meet a lot of ordinary Aussies — do you find talking to strangers easy?

1. I enjoy socializing and asking questions. When I spot an unoccupied park bench, I prefer the one with someone already seated. It’s my ability to make others feel at ease that often encourages them to open up and talk to me, which is a significant part of our interactions.

When you see me exploring different places in the show while using a mobility scooter, what are your thoughts on me serving as an inspiration for seniors?

When my physical abilities began faltering, I humbly requested directors and producers not to portray me struggling to exit a vehicle or ascend stairs on all fours. I felt self-conscious about appearing so vulnerable, but little did I know that my struggles would inspire others. Many have confided in me since then, sharing how my journey gave them the strength to tackle challenges they once considered insurmountable. This realization brings me immense satisfaction.

Ten Questions with Miriam Margolyes

In your lengthy acting background, you’ve gained notable recognition more recently for talk show guestings, penning books, and producing documentaries. What do you attribute to this surprising rejuvenation in your career?

1. It’s both confusing and rewarding to me. I can’t fully articulate why, but I believe Graham Norton plays a significant role in my achievements. I’ve been told that I would flourish more as I grew older – I just didn’t anticipate it would take this long for me to do so.

I’m worried that I won’t have enough money for carers when I’m older

“You run a profitable side business creating personalized video messages on Cameo, and you’ve disclosed that you’ve made £365,000 from it since the pandemic started. What message do people ask you to record most often?”

Today, I have thirty occasions to mark – be it a birthday, wedding anniversary, or a special day for a marriage. These are the days we typically celebrate.

Based on the information provided, it seems that this individual places a significant emphasis on financial success, as evidenced by their frequent discussions about money and their substantial earnings from recent projects. However, the sudden large payment for their memoir has raised some eyebrows, leading me to wonder if there could be an explanation beyond simple financial motivation. While I don’t have enough information to make a definitive conclusion, it’s worth considering the possibility that this person may have some sort of compulsion or addiction, such as gambling, that drives them to pursue financial gains at an intense rate. Of course, this is just speculation and could be entirely unfounded. Ultimately, only the individual in question can provide the true answer to this intriguing mystery.

I understand where you’re coming from based on my own experiences and concerns for the future. Gambling is not a part of my life at all. Instead, I prioritize saving every penny I can for the inevitable time when I may require professional care due to age or health issues. My partner and I do not have children, so it’s crucial that we ensure our needs are met in a way that we are accustomed to. We want to maintain our independence and comfort as much as possible, which requires financial preparation. The thought of running out of funds for care services is a worry that keeps me up at night. So, rather than taking the risk of potentially losing money through gambling, I choose to save diligently for our future needs.

You had a recent heart procedure — how did that influence how you felt about death and mortality?

1. In my previous musings, I often find myself echoing William Saroyan’s words: “I believed that perhaps an exception could be made in my case when it comes to death.” However, I now understand that such an exception does not exist. So, what do I believe happens after we depart from this world? Well, my therapist once suggested there might be a celebration. Personally, I’m doubtful about anything beyond our mortal existence, but the idea of a grand party is quite appealing.

Do you come across as completely unfazed when discussing topics like sex, religion, death, and politics? Or are there certain areas where you keep a more guarded approach?

I’m as transparent as a clear glass, yet it feels unfortunate. I can’t help but feel that perhaps there are hidden depths within me, but in truth, there aren’t. What you observe is exactly who I am – the authentic Miriam Margolyes trying her best.

Can you tell me something about you that might surprise people who think they know you?

I’m often seen as someone who enjoys joking around and having a good time, which may surprise some people. However, it’s important to me that I’m not underestimated based on this aspect of my personality. I do value humor, but I also aim to be respected for my more serious pursuits or abilities.

And finally… is it really true that you always keep a raw onion in your bag at all times?

Affirmative! I’m a fan of onion’s taste, but nowadays many things seem bland to me. The distinctiveness of flavors is lacking, so I appreciate the robust taste of onion. However, considering its bulkiness, I might opt for garlic next time due to its convenience. In simpler terms, I enjoy onions’ taste, but find myself drawn to garlic because of its compactness.

2024-07-30 19:04

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