Frances Barber talks politics on TV and playing Margaret Thatcher: “I hated her”

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What’s the view from your sofa?

I have a large, older television – it’s around 65 inches – and surprisingly, it still works after 20 years. It’s not high-definition, which is fine with me – I don’t really like looking at myself on TV anyway, and HD would be even worse! Beside the TV is a painting of my beloved bulldog, Smack, which Sir Ian McKellen gifted to me.

Over your shoulder I can see another beautiful painting…

So, I was in a stage production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest with Christian Slater a while back. An artist approached us and asked if he could paint us, which felt a bit self-indulgent, honestly! I originally assumed it would be a gift, but we actually had to pay him. Still, I really liked the painting, and he was a young artist just starting out, so I didn’t mind paying.

What telly turns you off?

I used to watch Question Time regularly, but I can’t stand it anymore. It feels like a show of quick, attention-grabbing statements designed to appeal to the audience, with questions often coming from people who are clearly supportive of a particular side. Real political issues are far more complex than the simple, two-sided arguments presented on the program.

You portrayed Margaret Thatcher in the acclaimed radio drama, ‘When Maggie Met Larry.’ Did you admire her?

I strongly disliked her when she was prime minister in my twenties, and I actively protested against her and her government’s policies. Preparing for the play required extensive research into her speaking style. Throughout that process, I kept realizing that even though I disagreed with her, I understood she genuinely believed her actions were in the best interest of the country – even if, looking back, they clearly weren’t.

Are you a political animal?

It’s tough to say where things go from here, because trust in people is so low. These days, politicians seem more interested in what focus groups tell them we want, rather than speaking honestly. As voters, we’ve lost faith in what they say and it all feels disingenuous, which is why so many of us are feeling discouraged. Ultimately, people want to hear genuine thoughts and feelings from our leaders.

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You were raised on a Wolverhampton council estate. What was your childhood like?

I grew up in a happy home. My mum was a fantastic singer – we’d often sing together, especially songs by Shirley Bassey – and even though she had a large family of six children, she was incredibly generous and supportive. My dad was the same. When I went to university, it didn’t feel like I was escaping anything; instead, I carried my family and upbringing with me.

How would you describe yourself as an actor?

Someone once called me unpredictable, and I embraced that label because I’ve always resisted being categorized. I’m more frequently described as ‘sexy and a little wild,’ which doesn’t bother me at all.

I was so thrilled to see you reprise your role as Billie Trix in MUSIK! It was fantastic to learn the character originated in Pet Shop Boys’ musical, Closer to Heaven back in 2001, and seeing you bring her to life again, especially with Jonathan Harvey’s writing and the Pet Shop Boys’ music, was truly special.

I’ve never experienced a show receiving such harsh criticism, but I genuinely enjoyed it and admire the performer. She’s incredibly resilient – a true survivor like Marianne Faithfull – who has overcome challenges and continues to thrive. After more than two decades, she’s returned with a wonderfully quirky performance, featuring six new songs written by the Pet Shop Boys.

It’s a recording of your one-woman show – was that a big responsibility?

I was always scared before going on stage, and despite enjoying the performance, it could be a very isolating experience. While people like the producer, director Terry Johnson, and the Pet Shop Boys would visit, I was mostly on my own, aside from my fantastic dresser. For me, the best part of acting is the teamwork – figuring things out with fellow actors during rehearsals and bouncing off each other’s energy on stage – so I struggled with being so alone.

Authors

Gareth McLean

I’ve been reading Gareth McLean’s work for ages – he really knows his stuff! He’s been a TV critic for almost 30 years, so he’s seen everything and reviewed thousands of shows. But it’s not just reviews – he’s also interviewed so many famous faces, from legends like Liza Minnelli to… well, a lot of people, including Jimmy Savile. And believe it or not, he’s actually written for television too, which is pretty impressive!

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2026-03-30 19:40