‘I’m embarking on a WISER, more CONFIDENT phase’
So says actor Julia Ormond as she launches into the role of a woman who falls for a man nearly half her age
British-born actress Julia Ormond is famous for her Hollywood roles. This month, she stars in the BBC thriller Gold Digger, about an age-gap relationship. Julia, 54, lives in LA with her daughter, Sophie, 15. I hope Gold Digger makes people ask why we still see the older woman and younger man affair as scandalous.
If we’ve got it right, we should really want to root for their relationship.
For me, relationships are more about the person.
I really don’t care about age and age difference. I’m not going to behave the age I look; I’m going to behave how I feel.
What I’ve learned most from being single
is that I’m comfortable with being on my own and being independent, so that somebody who does come into my life is invited.
Being a mum is my biggest priority.
It’s the most exciting, satisfying, painful, frustrating and extraordinary thing I’ve ever done. The moment my daughter was born, I saw the world through fresh eyes. For everything I’ve tried to teach her, I’ve learned double that.
Home for me is normal and simple.
It’s comfy. It’s a space that is allowed to get messed up with art projects, dogs, sand and all sorts of things.
I relax by walking my two dogs on the beach. One is a rescue mutt who has quite a bit of attitude, and the other is a well-behaved Golden Retriever.
I do the school run, shopping, cooking and cleaning.
Even at 54, I still can’t get my head around the fact that the washing-up never seems to end!
I realise I’m now at the point in my life when I have to start taking better care of myself.
I feel as if years of not doing that very well have started to take their toll and catch up with me. You need to make sure you look after yourself and not feel guilty about taking alone time so you can refuel. Everything is so much better if I feel more relaxed in myself and more confident.
A working shelf life used to be a standard thing in my profession.
The drop-off in work typically happened around the age of 35 for women, and 50 for men. Now you can take a risk and put yourself out there, and there is work for somebody who is non-conformist in that way. I feel like I’m embarking on a much wiser and more confident phase of my career.
When I come back to England, I appreciate it.
When my daughter goes to college, I’ll visit more. I miss family, friends and countryside. I’m able to see my culture objectively, but also acknowledge the comfort of coming back to my roots. I appreciate it rather than being trapped by it. A little distance helps you look at it differently.
Gold Digger will air on
BBC One this autumn