‘Losing my sister has left me heartbroken’

Downton Abbey and After Life actress Penelope Wilton, 75, shares her passions and fears. She lives in London

What’s your earliest memory of acting?

Making up a little show for my parents when I was about eight. I was born in Scarborough, where my father went to recuperate after he was a prisoner of war. He was training to be a barrister, and when he finished his articles, he moved down to London and we moved to the country in Sussex when I was about seven.

Was there ever a plan B?

No, I never thought as cleverly or as consciously as that. I had a perfectly normal education and it wasn’t until I left school that I applied for drama school. I didn’t have a theatrical upbringing but I was taken to the theatre by my grandparents. I remember the lights and feeling the whoosh of warm air that came off the stage when the curtain went up.

What frightens you?

Losing people I love. It’s very difficult at the moment. My elder sister Rosemary died two months ago. She was 80. She’d had a lot of falls, caught COVID and went into hospital. She came out but had got a chest infection so went back in and died. We are heartbroken.

What’s the best decision you’ve made? Having my daughter, Alice. I’ve had more joy out of her than anything else. Alice is a theatre producer and a mother herself now, so I have two lovely grandchildren, Daniel and Ella. I take the children on holiday every summer. It’s knackering, but we always have such a nice time.

And the worst?

Goodness, I’ve made quite a few, including a couple of bad choices in my career. When I was young, I would sometimes think ‘They know better than me’ and go against my instinct. That often isn’t a good idea. But you learn!

What’s your biggest pet hate?

People who don’t listen to other people. It’s happening a lot at the moment, especially in politics. I’m slightly tired of this ‘it’s all about me’ type of society.

What’s your best quality?

I’m an optimist. That doesn’t mean I don’t have very dark moments but, on the whole, I try to have an optimistic outlook.

And the personality trait you most deplore in yourself?

I’m short on concentration, sometimes. I’m inclined to flick from one thing to another.

What do you do on weekends? An awful lot of walking. I have an app called Go Jauntly, which tells you where to walk, what you pass, and where there’s a wonderful statue or somewhere nice to eat.

What’s the biggest personal hurdle you’ve overcome? Self-doubt. Some people are strangers to self-doubt and I’ve never really got on with them.

What’s your most treasured possession?

If I do a good job and get well paid, I buy a painting. I bought a painting by Philip Sutton after Downton and a painting of India after I’d done the Marigold Hotel films.

What has been your greatest achievement?

Keeping going. If you can keep working as you get to my age, you’re pleased.

What do you most enjoy about working on Ricky Gervais’ After Life series on Netflix?

Ricky writes very well. He writes specifically for every single character, and talks about very deep things with a knowledge and understanding of people. He improvises, then you join in. We have a good laugh.

✢ After Life season 3 is on Netflix now.