NOT SO home free!
THE SUN IS RISING ON ALISON STEADMAN’S NEW SHOW
Hold the Sunset is a new British drama-comedy about a married couple happily heading into retirement when their son moves back home. Leading lady Alison Steadman tells us more about the exciting new show.
What drew you to Hold the Sunset?
“I love doing shows like this about the quirky aspects of family life. When I heard John Cleese was also starring in it, I thought, ‘That will be great fun!’ I haven’t been disappointed!” What are your memories of your first collaboration with John on the movie Clockwise?
“That film was 32 years ago now, but we haven’t changed at all! In that movie, I spent a lot of time driving three elderly ladies around in a car. I’m now probably the same age as they were then!”
How does it feel to be back working with John?
“It’s been lovely. Working with an old friend is great because it gives you such freedom. It helps that we were able to leap straight into it because we had played a married couple before. John is really good fun and off the wall.”
Tell us a bit more about your character.
“Edith is a bright woman. She is a typical middle-class mother. She is very concerned and very giving towards her children − much more than I would ever be! She really does forgive them. Like all mothers, when other people criticise her children, she is always ready to leap their defence and say, ‘That’s not their fault. That’s because of this or that.’”
Would you make another series of Hold the Sunset?
“Absolutely. Nothing is resolved in this family by the end of the first series. Roger and Sandra [Edith’s kids] are still being a pain in the neck. So this one could run and run!”