The TV Guide

And the award for best actor goes to...

- Paul Davia (Wellington) K. McKenzie (Masterton) Lucy Flette (Dunedin) Margaret Collishaw (Christchur­ch) Barbara J. (Wellington) Jane W. (Dunedin)

These letters are in response to an editorial by Julie Eley, asking readers to name the actors they admire and the reasons why. After a random draw, Paul Davia of Wellington wins the six-month subscripti­on to TV Guide.

Dashing Mike Connors was fantastic in the classic whodunit Mannix. As super sleuth Joe Mannix, Connors was everything you wanted – charming, dynamic, intelligen­t and resourcefu­l. He carried this suspensefu­l, well-crafted series with effortless aplomb. Multi-skilled Mannix was a forerunner to MacGyver – only enhanced by Connors’ handsome looks and easy personalit­y.

I have recently caught up on what a talent Nicola Walker is – bingeing Unforgotte­n, River and Annika. I have some catching up to do with older shows like Spooks and Last Tango In Halifax though. She is one very talented and versatile Brit.

The women on Shepherdes­s on Sky Open (Sunday evenings). I thoroughly enjoying watching and hearing the stories of these (unprofessi­onal women actors)... just out there doing their mahi, multi-tasking and all in a day’s work. Really interestin­g Kiwi lifestyles viewing. Thanks, Shepherdes­ses.

I do admire Dame Maggie Smith, now aged 88, who over seven decades has been able to take on with aplomb roles such a “lady” in Downton Abbey and also as a “down and out” in the Lady In The Van. She has that slight tilt of her head when she states her views firmly to those listening in Downton Abbey but returns to her EastEnd roots cockney accent when dealing with Alan Bennett whose property she is trespassin­g on. I don’t think she knows the meaning of the word ‘retirement’ and has no plans to do so yet. I admire her genuine acting that makes the performanc­e seem so real to the audience. Dame Maggie Smith has received several Bafta awards and nomination­s and has given us all so much enjoyment over the years. She is the actor I admire the most.

Three British women I really admire are Sarah Lancashire, Suranne Jones and Joanne Froggatt. Invariably, any TV series they are in is top quality. It is no coincidenc­e that all three of these fine actors served part of their early careers on Coronation Street. It must be an incredible training ground. They have gone on to be among Britain’s finest actors.

For me, you can never go past Sean Connery for any best actor award. He had such a screen presence and charisma, whatever role he was in. As far as I am concerned, he was far and away the best James Bond there ever was. He was simply brilliant in that role with this cool charm and action man feats. He was great in other movies too and I would love to watch him in anything he was in.

Letters should be brief and sent with the writer’s name and address to:

Email: letters@tv-guide.co.nz. (Letters

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