Why life is harder for women, by Anna Friel
ANNA Friel has claimed that life is harder for women as men don’t have periods and don’t have to give birth.
The actress, 43, revealed that the pressure to balance family and work life and maintain good looks is far greater for women.
‘Men don’t have to have babies or periods and they grow older more beautifully,’ she said. ‘Salt and pepper is attractive on men whereas women feel they have to dye their hair.
‘It can get overwhelming for actresses because 30 years ago you would take two years off, not be back on set when your baby is eight weeks old. Things are more expensive, so it is easier to have two wages on the table than one. Life is just harder.’
Miss Friel is starring in new ITV drama, Deep Water, which starts on August 14, and follows three mothers from a small Cumbrian village trying to juggle parenting, careers, marriage and friendships. The mother-of-one also admitted that while age is no longer a ‘roadblock’, actresses still aren’t given enough opportunities.
She told the Radio Times: ‘There are never enough great female roles. Great performances by people like Olivia Colman have paved the way.
‘It’s a little hard to look back and remember that a lot of roles were just accoutrements – arm candy or the wife.
‘I think one of the most progressive movements is that age is no longer a roadblock. Women over 40 are interesting and layered and Deep Water tells that story.’
In another interview, Miss Friel, who is also known for her lead role in Marcella, claimed she felt ‘unsupported’ during her rise to fame as a teenage star and was exploited by older men in the industry who would criticise her for standing up for herself.
‘When do you get a sense of self? That’s the first question to ask. If I look back to 18, would I have liked more advice? 100 per cent. Do I think I should have been give it? 100 per cent,’ she told The Times. ‘ Someone should have sat me down and said, “Right, missus”.’
Asked if she was exploited by older men in the industry, Miss Friel said: ‘Definitely. I don’t want to go into saying how, I just think back and go “Oh my god, that would never happen now”.
‘There wasn’t another option back then. I’d say, “No that’s not right” and stand up for myself. You just had to be strong. And if you were strong, then you’d be called a b****.’