Cold Feet’s back: ‘Old friends? Best friends...’
It’s been over 20 years, but we’re still loving this series about three Manchester couples. Dubbed the ‘British Friends’, ColdFeet has it all – it’s a romantic comedy shot through with pain and grief. Pretty much how life is for most of us… Hermione Norris (Karen) and Fay Ripley (Jenny), both mums, chat about returning to the show in their 50s HERMIONE NORRIS
Hi, Hermione – what’s it like being back with the cast for the eighth series? It feels lovely to be together again. I think this is the strongest series we’ve made to date. Cold Feet is about the six characters, and all of us have invested 20 years in them.
Does the march of time surprise you?
Of course! Karen [Hermione’s character] and David’s twins, Olivia and Ellie, celebrate their 18th birthday this series – and they weren’t born until series three! So, yes, it does.
In this series, Adam confides in Karen about his fear of getting old – do you worry about that?
I don’t, because I can’t do anything about it. I’m 51, so I’m aware that I have a limited window of living my life at full capacity. I just want to find the joy in everyday living. Who knows how long any of us have left? When you have children [Hermione has Wilf, 14, and Hero, 11, with writer Simon Wheeler], you watch them grow and you know how fast time goes. That said, I’m not interested in a long life – I’m interested in a really good life. All I hope is to be allowed to see my children up and running with their partners.
How did you feel about Karen and Adam having a ‘moment’ this series?
The Cold Feet writer, Mike Bullen, is like my puppeteer! I just never know what’s going to happen. But yes – who knew? Certainly not me!
Did you and Jimmy [Nesbitt, who plays Adam] phone each other up and scream, ‘What?!’
Oh, gosh, yes, we all did – the whole cast were really shocked by it.
Jenny [Fay Ripley’s character] gets diagnosed with cancer. Do you know anyone who’s suffered from cancer?
Unfortunately, I know women who are going through it now, with children, and it’s terrifying. I had a cancer scare myself – I found a lump, and my main thought when I got the all-clear was, ‘Thank God it’s not me.’ But what about the women who are affected? I love Fay and her character, so to see Jenny going through that was very difficult.
Do you ever watch those first episodes?
There was a flashback to Rachel and Adam’s wedding. You don’t feel any different as you age – but, when you see how young we were… It made me cry. And I think the audience love it, too, as they remember where they were when they were watching it. It’s all about happy memories and nostalgia. It provides huge comfort in an uncertain world.
FAY RIPLEY Hi, Fay – can you give us some inside gossip on where we’ll find Jen and Pete this time round?
Well, they’ve renewed their vows, but it’s still Jen and Pete. She is still really irritated by him [ laughs]. She loves him, but it’s like having another child. Jen always has to be the grown-up.
Jen is diagnosed with breast cancer. How did you feel when you were told about that storyline?
I said I was fine with it as long as it was dealt with properly. Cancer, especially breast cancer, affects so many people. Sometimes it’s scary, but sometimes there are funny moments... I just hope people relate to how Jen feels. I’ve had close friends and family who have had breast cancer so, sadly, there was no need for me to do much research.
Why does Jen keep the news to herself when she’s diagnosed?
Well, she’s never been in that situation before, so she’s like, ‘ What do I do? No one told me how to react in this situation. Do I scream? Do I beat someone up?’ Jenny is flawed, which is why people love her, and she reacted in a very natural way.
Does Cold Feet remind you of the value of true friendship?
Of course. I’ve got a really close group of friends, and they’re so important to me. We’re going out tonight, in fact – I know I haven’t got much free time, but I just want to see those people’s faces. As you get older, your friends become part of your family [Fay, 52, is married to Muriel’s Wedding hunk Daniel Lapaine, 47, and has two children, Parker, 16, and Sonny, 12]. And, if you’re lucky enough to have friends you can rely on, that’s what takes you through.
Is making a new series always a leap of faith?
Yes, but that’s true for every acting job. Because we’re the faces on the screen, you think we’re in charge. Well, I’ve got news for you – we’re not. We’re like small children who are not allowed loose with any responsibility!
Cold Feet airs on Mondays, ITV, at 9pm
Cold Feet is back, and series eight has some shocking surprises in store… here, Hermione Norris and Fay Ripley open up about life both on screen and off