‘I’m squeezing joyout every bit of of life!’
With Cold Feet set to return for its eighth season, Hermione Norris reflects on reuniting with her co-stars and the liberation that comes with life in your 50s
Actor Hermione Norris is the epitome of laid-back chic when she arrives at the GH cover shoot. She’s completely make-up free, and is glowing with health and happiness. Friendly and unassuming, she has a very dry sense of humour and is clearly a woman’s woman. This month, she is back on our screens as Karen Marsden in the new series of Cold Feet, along with co-stars Fay Ripley, James Nesbitt, Robert Bathurst and John Thomson. It will be the eighth series of the ITV comedy drama, which thrilled fans with its comeback in 2016 after 13 years off air.
Hermione was 29 when she first played Karen, and it was her breakthrough role. Later, she met her producer husband Simon Wheeler on the set of Wire In The Blood. She grew up in London but, seven years ago, the couple moved to Somerset with their children, Wilf, now 14, and Hero, 11. Like Karen, Hermione, 51, is embracing the joys of midlife. She shares what she loves most about being in her 50s, the secrets to a happy marriage and the change she is planning when her children leave home.
What is it like being back in Cold Feet? It’s always nice when we’re together as a group; that dynamic of being with the gang. Cold Feet’s success is a measure of where people who have loved it have been in their own lives. They go on a journey with us. When they’re watching us, they’re remembering where they were 22 years ago.
There is a big health scare in this series; what can you tell us about that? We show how it rocks everybody, and the impact that it has on a close group of friends.
What is Karen dealing with this time?
Her teenagers – particularly Ellie, and giving her guidance. On dating, there’s always some adventure. Little flings, surprises.
What continues to attract you to Karen as a character? I’ve been with her so long now. She’s been on quite a journey. We met her when she was struggling with motherhood for the first time. Having gone through young children, divorce and affairs, she’s reclaimed herself in her 50s. I think that’s something women do a lot when children leave home. Karen has really explored that fully, and that’s been really interesting to play.
You will be 52 in February. How are you finding this time of your life? When I turned 50, it was a time for reflection, and within that there was huge gratitude and grief. You realise there are things that are no longer available to you. Doors have closed and you don’t realise that until you’re there. The sweet naivety or innocence of life, when you don’t realise something until it’s gone. There is also a sense of real liberation and freedom. The maps are laid down and there is a sense of satisfaction and joy. I appreciate the sense of security as a woman. It’s more of an internal journey and I find the peace of that hugely liberating. It’s a fantastic time moving beyond 50. It’s where it’s at, for me. I have looked forward and grown into myself.
You have been with your husband Simon for 16 years. Are you still romantic with one another? We don’t go out for dinner or give flowers, but my husband is my best friend. There’s a very real gratitude for each other.
You said a few years ago you were planning on writing a novel together. How’s that going? We’ve actually started it. It’s there. But it’s not there in its entirety. One day, I’m sure we’ll get to it. It is a work in progress.
What do you think makes a happy marriage? There are people you have mad passionate affairs with and people who you marry. Marriage is finding somebody who you can raise a family with, grow old with and who you want to come home to. It sounds a bit of a passion killer, but it’s true! It’s hard raising a family so you need someone who you can trust to do it with.
How would you describe your home in Somerset ? A beautiful old house, with massive trees in the garden. It’s my peaceful haven.
What is a typical day when you are not on set? I get up at 6.15am, have breakfast, do the school run, take the dog for a walk. Often, I have stuff to read. I do quite a lot of voice work, so I have a script and a book on the go. The front and back ends of the day are about the children and then it’s finding space to do what I have to do in the middle of it.
You grew up in London and lived there until seven years ago. Do you miss it? London’s my home really. I have a flat there, I’m very blessed. I couldn’t be without London. I make sense there. It’s where I was born, went to drama school, where my friends are and I will move back when my children are older. Now, I’m where I need to be, where I’m needed. When my children have grown, I will get out my backpack, Simon and I will travel for a bit and then we’ll head back to London!
How would you describe your lifestyle? Wholesome – children are on the trampoline, dog walks, an Aga. It is a really simple way of life.
You’re into upcycling and have done an Annie Sloan paint course… I’m slightly intimidated by painting bits of furniture but I’ve had a go. Mine look more like something out of when I try!
Play School What other hobbies do you have?
Every summer we do a play in our garden with the kids and their friends from school. We have done it for the past five years and we did last year. In the past, we’ve done and It’s really rough and ready, nothing fancy. was good because we had zip wires, so they were all flying! The Tempest The Three Musketeers Peter Pan. Peter Pan
What makes you feel happy?
My children. They make me laugh. I love being with them. And I love my job. That’s one thing about being my age, I’m very grateful that I have been allowed to do what I really wanted to do.
You trained in ballet, do you still dance?
I trained as a classical dancer. Now I realise that it was quite a big deal. There was discipline, a meditative quality to it.
Do you think you could have had a career in dance instead? I could have done. I don’t think I’d have been very good. I would have been corps de ballet somewhere and would have been