How Julie Walters was finally able ride on board the Hogwarts Express
What can you tell us about your new series, Coastal Railways?
In the series I’m going on a journey around Britain, specifically the coastal parts of Britain, by train. Although I love holidaying in the UK, I feel as though I haven’t explored it enough. I do think very romantically of the railways. There is such a diverse range of people who make their lives in these communities. It’s not just people who work in rail yards, but it’s all kinds of people in farms and factories and tourism.
What inspired you to make the show?
I’m really curious about other people, which I think is part of being an actor. From meeting these people on these journeys, zipping around the country on these picture-perfect railways, I’ve discovered so much about the way that the coast operates and the people who keep things going.
You travel all over the UK, but in the first episode we see you in Scotland.
I take a trip along the West Highland Line; we went on the Jacobite train, which is of course the Harry Potter train. I was denied that experience when I was doing the films. I’d been to the Highlands before but this was a wonderful way to experience that journey.
So you got to ride on the real life Hogwarts Express – what was that like?
It’s a beautiful train inside and out, and a stunning journey. There’s the amazing crossing of Glenfinnan Viaduct, which is the one you see in the shot of the Hogwarts Express in the film. Before we set off, I went up to the footplate and had a bacon roll that they made with bacon cooked on a shovel over the coals in the engine. I’d heard about it happening on old steam trains, but I’d never seen it.
It’s a popular line with fans of the franchise – were they surprised to see Mrs Weasley on board?
There were a lot of people dressed in costume along the way, which was lovely to see. One or two people wanted their photos taken, but we were mainly kept separate so that we could film – as the train was moving, we only had a finite time to shoot what was needed. But it did make me feel proud to have been part of the films that reinvigorated interest in this beautiful steam line.
Did you have a favourite spot, or stretch of railway?
The journey from St Erth to St Ives in Cornwall was stunning. The weather was beautiful when we were there and you wouldn’t know you were in Britain.
Did making this programme leave you feeling particularly proud of our country?
I did feel proud. All of these diverse people, all really interesting and with their own interests and passions – and love. They were great people and when you meet a lot of great people, you do feel proud. There is a ‘British’ personality, or humour perhaps, but within that, everybody is just incredibly individual.
The show is quite a departure for you. Have you done any factual TV before?
I have, years and years ago. It was something about a community centre on a housing estate in Liverpool in 1982 or something. And I did do Julie Walters Is An Alien, where I did different jobs in the States and that was back in the 90s.
Quite a few actors have gone down the road of making travelogues. Can you see yourself following suit?
Oh no, I’m completely busy. I’ve been working on the Mamma Mia sequel, which has been wonderful with all the cast back together and having a laugh and a joke again. Between filming Coastal Railways I was doing Country Music, alongside the really talented Jessie Buckley – if this film doesn’t make her massive, I’ll be stunned. And before that, I was filming Mary Poppins Returns, playing the role of Ellen. That was great fun. And, of course, there’s Paddington 2, which has just come out, so it’s been a very busy year for me. It’s just the way it happened, but when Mamma Mia finishes I’ll be able to have a lie down.
● Coastal Railways with Julie Walters begins on Channel 4 this Sunday, 26 November