Imelda Staunton
Imelda Staunton discusses her gripping new TV drama A Confession and meeting the distraught mother she plays...
Imelda Staunton is no stranger to a challenging role – she was Oscar-nominated for her 2004 turn as a woman offering illegal abortions in Vera Drake. But the 63-year-old admits she felt a huge responsibility to do her latest part justice. Costarring Martin Freeman, ITV detective drama A
Confession is based on a real-life story. Imelda plays Karen Edwards, a mother whose daughter has been missing for eight years. She becomes involved in the case of a new missing girl – a search which turns into
a murder enquiry. Here, Imelda (a mum to Bessie, 26, with actor husband Jim Carter) talks about how she approached the role, life in an acting family and her guilty pleasure…
Imelda, you must get offered new roles all the time. What was it that attracted you to this one?
I haven’t ever done anything like it. I was surprised that I was asked. It’s such a terrible tale. The creators have done an extraordinary job of not making it any more gutwrenching than it already is. It involves women who have lost their children. It’s emotional. You don’t need to add anything.
Did being the parent of a daughter yourself make this tough?
It is tough – but that woman, Karen, actually lived through it, so the least I could do was do her story justice. With any part, you want to do it as honestly as you can. If it’s very emotional, that’s what it is and you can’t shy away from it. There were no tears though. I had to look at it as a job.
What was it like to meet the real Karen Edwards?
Exhausting. She has so much energy, which is, of course, fuelled by grief and anger, and yet she’s so active and supportive towards the police. She’s got such armour. It was quite overwhelming. That first meeting was just exhausting for me – which is good! I had to let it settle into me.
Were you told how Karen reacted to your portrayal?
No, and I wouldn’t dream of asking her. I’m not there to do an impression of her or imitate. I had to get her essence and her energy, but I thought it would be too intrusive to ask. I had to do it in a way that I’d imagine would affect me, I suppose.
Is there more pressure on you as this is a real story?
A little bit. As an actor, you see it as a job and a good script – but you want to do justice to the people it’s about. From the actor to the directors, you feel a huge responsibility.
How do you switch off when you come home?
It’s easier doing TV and filming than being on stage. I’ve been
let out – I’ve done seven years of hardcore theatre! This was great. I can go home at night and know I won’t have to be doing the same scene over and over. I won’t be doing theatre for a while. I’ve got a taste for going home at night!
Have you got your social life back, then?!
A little bit. I have promised myself to have friends around for dinner at least once month – a big thing for me. I’m not used to having a life!
What’s been your biggest career setback?
I don’t know about setbacks. If you can cope with rejection, you learn to keep going. It’s good to know you’re not hopeless just because you didn’t get a certain role.
Do you and husband Jim, who famously plays Mr Carson in Downton Abbey, ever talk shop?
We don’t – ever! Because I’ve done a lot more in the theatre, I just go and do my thing, come home and it’s done. I never ask him his opinion, either. You just need to keep your own counsel.
How did you feel when your daughter, Bessie, said she wanted to go into acting?
Fine! I encouraged her because she’s grown up. It is difficult, but every job is difficult. Social media can put a lot of pressure on young actors. Luckily my daughter’s not into all that.
You’re very proud of your Irish roots. Have you been back recently?
My family is originally from County Mayo. But I haven’t been back for ages. I am really craving cooking some bacon and cabbage, though!
What’s your guilty TV pleasure?
I’ve never watched a soap in my life… or reality TV. Really! Bizarrely, I watched Jaws the other night and I couldn’t get over what great filmmaking it was. It still made me jump! I’d love to do Peaky Blinders! Make me Tommy Shelby’s aunty please! Hanging out with Cillian Murphy all day. Wouldn’t that be tough?!
Cillian aside, why do you love Peaky Blinders?
Ha ha! The design, the music... I love that it’s not real and yet totally real. And I’d get on board with a Brummie accent!
A Confession continues Monday evenings on ITV at 9pm. Catch-up on ITV Hub.