IN HER OWN WORDS: Lesley Manville

As series two of the bittersweet comedy Mum continues (10pm, BBC2), we hear from its award-winning star, 61, on her long and varied career on stage and screen…

On turning down an early offer, from Arlene Phillips, to join the new TV dance troupe Hot Gossip: ‘I just thought, “I can’t be on telly in stockings and suspender belts – my dad would just be so embarrassed.”’ On director Mike Leigh, with whom she has worked since 1979: ‘I credit him with giving me a varied career, because nobody’s been able to pigeonhole me since – and in a way, he’s watched me develop as an artist over the decades. It’s very nice to have somebody like that in your life.’ On playing Margaret Thatcher in 2009 Channel 4 docudrama The Queen: ‘I was very pleased with my Margaret, even if I say so myself – I particularly got the walk and the handbag. I just loved getting the looks right, and the ego.’ On her Academy Award nomination for Phantom Thread: ‘I am rather giddy with excitement at the wonderful news… And it is also quite a day for my son, Alfie Oldman – having both parents nominated in the same year.’ (Lesley’s ex-husband, Gary Oldman, is also nominated, for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour). On how Cathy in Mum compares to her own parenting: ‘I really understand the relationship… It’s that caring but hands-off parenting that I’ve aspired to. I don’t think I’ve been as magnanimous as Cathy, but I’ve done my best.’