Age Before Beauty
Polly Walker on why Age Before Beauty is a big departure for her – and an antidote to Love Island!
Tue, Wed/ BBC1
I can’t wait to see the outcome in this week’s final two episodes. Will a cheating husband get the better of Bel? I hope not! Star Polly Walker gives us her take…
last one drama Age Before Beauty tuesday, wednesday / bbc1 / 9pm
From a scheming matriarch in Rome and a formidable gangster’s moll in Prisoners Wives to a tough lawyer in Line of Duty, Polly Walker has brought a variety of forthright characters to our screens.
But as TV Times catches up with her for an exclusive chat, she tells us that her current role of beautician Bel Finch in vibrant BBC1 drama Age Before Beauty is extra-special, as it has allowed her to take centre stage as a complex – but utterly relatable – heroine.
‘Bel’s a proper grown-up woman who has been badly hurt,’ explains Polly, 52. ‘She’s softer than roles I’ve played before. As the lead, it was an opportunity for me to play different emotions instead of being there just to push storylines along.’
Poor Bel has certainly been put through the mill after learning that husband Wes (James Murray) has cheated on her with personal trainer Lorelei (Madeleine Mantock).
But now matters are becoming complicated as Bel’s besotted brother-in-law Teddy’s (Robson Green) secret plot – 30 years in the planning! – to lure her away from Wes may start paying dividends.
As this week’s final two episodes provide some intriguing new twists and turns, TV Times talks to Warrington-born Polly…
Bel’s growing dangerously close to Teddy. Could she cheat?
Her confidence has been crushed, she’s questioning her self-worth and needs something to make her feel lovable again. She’s been oblivious to the fact that Teddy’s keen on her, but slowly it dawns on her and they go on a journey together. But at the same time it’s important to remember he’s her sister Leanne’s [Kelly Harrison] husband, and Bel’s not a femme fatale. She’s principled and loyal, which is why her world was rocked by what Wes has done.
Can you give any hints about the finale? will it be explosive?!
Yes! The secrets all come out, but not in a way that you’d expect. It has a very unconventional ending… Trust me, you won’t guess it! I’d definitely be up for doing another series. There’s potential for things to go all over the place!
will our sympathies shift as we reach the last episode?
Hopefully they’re always with Bel, but you’ll see that characters like Leanne are damaged and everyone is vulnerable, even Teddy. When he’s played by Robson Green, you can’t help but love him. Robson really enjoyed the role and he’s such fun. James is a lovely guy too. I was lucky getting those two men to spend my days with!
why do you love playing Bel? Her intentions are always to help and support and put other people first, often to her detriment. She’s kind, fair and not petty, and she doesn’t become childish when things go wrong – she becomes empowered. Like many people, she’s juggling all sorts. At her age, women suddenly have time to reinvent themselves. Kids are all-consuming, but when they leave home, it’s like getting back in touch with who you are and what you want to do with your life. You reach the halfway point and think, ‘Is this it? What now?’
what has captured the imagination about the show?
It’s colourful, different and original, and a roller-coaster ride – a breath of fresh air. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, but hopefully it connects with people’s emotions and moves them. Also it sends the message that beauty is only skin-deep, which is a good one to put out there, coming hot on the heels of Love Island! This is the perfect antidote. You don’t have to be gorgeous, it’s about what’s going on inside. There are several fantasy sequences in the show. did you enjoy the singing and dancing? Writer Debbie Horsfield does those sorts of scenes in lots of her shows and they are joyful, tongue-incheek and hopefully put a smile on people’s faces. They’re fun to do and I love dancing, but singing isn’t my forte – I have a truly horrible voice! But I got to duet with Robson, so I just sang quietly and let him sing.
sue Johnston plays your mum ivy-rae. what was that like?
She’s not a very nice mum! But again, like Leanne, there’s love and humanity there – she just has funny ways of showing it. Sue’s a really nice lady though. I’ve got huge respect for her and she’s done some wonderful things, so it was great.
You’ve lived and worked in america a lot, so was it nice to be in a very British show again?
I loved every minute of being with a British crew and British actors. There was no nonsense and we just got down to work. At times in America it’s about stars and egos, and that’s not how I like to work – it doesn’t bring out the best in me – so to be back in Britain and among family and friends feels right. It was especially great filming in Manchester, as I went to school there. I love it, northerners are so friendly and warm and I like the sense of humour. It’s what I grew up with, so I felt comfortable there.
after playing such a wide range of roles, do you get recognised? Since Age Before Beauty came out, I’ve had people look at me and go, ‘Do I know you?’ or, ‘Did I go to school with you?!’ Sometimes I get die-hard Rome fans or someone who likes a weird sci-fi show I did. But I’m surprised when I get recognised because I’m always dressed horrendously and look exhausted, so I think, ‘How on Earth did you recognise me?!’
age before beauty is previewed on pages 56-57