Olivia Colman: from comedy actress to Hollywood winner
We catch up with Olivia Colman, winner of Best Actress at the Golden Globes for a raunchy royal romp, The Favourite
Olivia Colman won a Golden Globe for her brilliant turn as Queen Anne in
The Favourite, which also stars Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, with more plaudits – quite possibly an Oscar – sure to follow. That her next big role is as Queen Elizabeth in the new season of The Crown is almost too perfect. The Norwich-born
Broadchurch star, who turns 45 on 30 January, is a British treasure, and now America is falling for her charms, too! Her endearingly down-to-earth Globes acceptance speech helped. Kicking off with ‘Cor, blimey!’ the flustered actress said, ‘I’m not going to cry, because my entire table will point and laugh at me, as I’ve been crying all evening.’ She ended with a shout-out to her hubby of 17 years, screenwriter Ed Sinclair, and their three kids. Long may she reign...
Olivia, congratulations on your Golden Globe!
Thank you so much – it’s amazing, isn’t it!
How would you describe The Favourite?
Well, I think it’s a beautiful film. It’s original and funny and moving – it sort of turns period drama on its head. It’s about power, survival, manipulation and sex as a commodity. They’re the human struggles that have been present throughout the ages, and we’re still dealing with them today. There are people who are willing to exchange sex for love, and those who crave power.
Is this a breakthrough role?
Yes, the role of Queen Anne is a wonderful gift. I’ve never played this big a lead in a film before, and so it’s quite a nice milestone for me.
You didn’t go into acting until your 20s. What would
you say to your younger self? ‘Keep going. It all turns out all right in the end.’ I had many years of not working, and it means you really appreciate it when you are working.
You had to do some quite graphic lesbian sex scenes in The Favourite…
Well, love scenes with women are much easier because, in my head, I wasn’t being unfaithful to my husband! Kissing a man just feels awful, because you feel like you’re being very naughty. Kissing a woman is much more fun. Oh, that sounds just as naughty!
Is it harder for older women to get great roles?
Well, I’ve been lucky, but there are more and more parts being written. The older you get, the more you have to say, the more that’s happened. Also, most people in charge of the remote control are women. They want to hear those stories. So long may that continue.
You seem to be in a phase of playing queens – you’re taking over as Queen Elizabeth in The Crown...
Well, two! The only similar thing about Anne and Elizabeth is that they’re both queens – they couldn’t be more different. But anyone far removed from us is interesting, and there aren’t many people as far removed from the public as royals.
Did you speak to Claire Foy [who previously played Queen Elizabeth] about taking over the role?
I called her as soon as I found out. She said the entire cast and crew on The Crown had been wonderful. Everyone seems so happy, and we have such an outstanding cast.
Did you enjoy working with Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone on The Favourite?
It was amazing. It’s rare to have three women in the lead roles, where they are driving the story forward on their own and not as somebody’s wife or girlfriend. We got on so well, I think we’ll probably be friends for life. We had two weeks’ rehearsal, which is unusual. We giggled a lot and mucked about – just played, really.
When did you realise you wanted to be an actor?
When I did a play at school. I’ll never forget the feeling that came with the people clapping, and being up on stage, and thinking, ‘ Wouldn’t it be a great life if I can get paid for doing this!’ l
The Favourite is out now.